Getting More Sleep and Better Sleep
by
site editor Marlene S. Hodge, last update: 5/11/2012 1:05:23 PM.
sleep
Better sleep
If you want to enjoy better sleep there are several things you can do without resorting to prescription drugs. The key to better sleep is first and foremost a balanced combination of physical, environmental, and psychological elements. Even if you sleep fairly well and think you sleep well enough, there is a sure-fire bet you can sleep even better with a simple balance check and perhaps a few simple adjustments to your life.
Psychological
Stress, anxiety and depression are the most common psychological causes of poor sleeping. Though many factors contribute to these conditions, relaxation techniques go a long way in easing them all. Meditation is a very popular form of relaxation. It empties the mind and allows us to let go of the things that cause us the most worry and the greatest stress.
Environmental
There are many environmental factors that may seem insignificant but actually have a big impact on our ability to sleep. For example, sleeping in a darkened room and without noise distractions will help induce better sleep. Some people claim that light does not interfere with their quality of sleep. However, darkness helps produce melatonin in the brain, the hormone that tells the brain to sleep. Keeping your bed sheets clean will also provide you with a better night's sleep. Temperature is also a factor – studies show that when we sleep in a room that is around 64 degrees, we sleep better.
Physical
It will come as no surprise to hear that diet and exercise are important factors that affect our ability to get better sleep. When our bodies are physically tired, our minds are more willing to give in and sleep. Exercise also helps release chemicals in the body that help it to sleep better. A diet full of sugars, caffeine and high fat content will render the body restless and resistant to sleep. We can counter these problems, however, with herbal supplements to a healthy diet. Herbal supplements help replenish the body's nutritional requirements thereby encouraging it to enjoy better sleep on a regular basis. Chamomile and lavender are common herbs that help induce relaxation and better sleep.
It is important to take these measures to ensure better sleep habits because if you allow periodic insomnia to disrupt your life, you will be inviting other, more serious ailments into your system. Even if you only suffer from periodic insomnia, you should take care to maintain balance in the physical, environmental and psychological realms of your life and discover the benefits of even better sleep!