Tips for Catching Better Zzz’s

In order to be alert, be more productive, feel better and even to maintain a healthy weight, it’s crucial that you catch between 7 and 9 hours of snoozing each night.  But if like many, you crawl into bed with the intent on getting a good sleep but you lay there wide awake, tossing and turning while counting sheep after ridiculous sheep and you still can’t manage to drift off to a far-away dream land…saying that it’s frustrating may be the understatement of the year.  So to avoid walking around like a zombie with bags under your eyes the next day, be sure to slip into your favorite PJs and hit the hay with the following tips for getting some much needed shut-eye:

No TV before bed.  Save the bedroom for sleep—not for catching up on the latest episodes of The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills.  When you get into bed at night and the TV is staring at you, it can be tempting not to immerse yourself in your most recent DVR-ed shows—but this is a habit that can keep you up past a decent bedtime.  Instead of reaching for the remote, reach instead for a good book. 

Limit the caffeine intake.  Even if you run on coffee or need your Dr. Pepper fix on the way home from work each day, it’s best for your rest if you skip out on caffeine riddled drinks.  The caffeine stays in your system and takes hours to wear off—so if possible, avoid caffeine after lunch and you’ll be ready for a good night’s sleep when the time comes to climb into bed! 

Stick to a sleep schedule.  One thing that makes getting a good night’s rest difficult is being all over the grid with your schedule.  When you create a consistent schedule it will reinforce your body’s cycle; thus allowing you to get some solid sleep each night.  Make an effort to retire to your sleeping facilities and rise at the same time every day—and no skipping out on the weekends when you want to snooze until noon!

Get cozy.  A sleep that isn’t the greatest can be attributed to what you’re sleeping on.  If your mattress is old and causes your body aches and pains, you may want to consider ditching it and springing for a new one.  Choose what feels most comfortable to you—there are many options out there for beds, pillows and blankets that will create an inviting next and contribute to better sleep.  You spend a large amount of your life in bed, so you might as well invest in making it extra cozy!

Start a bedtime ritual.  After a long, busy day it can be tough to fall asleep; not only is it difficult for your body to unwind, but it can be difficult for your mind to unwind as well.  One of the best ways to drift off into a peaceful slumber is to initiate a nightly ritual that involves relaxation tricks to get in the bedtime groove.  Make the transition from being awake to being very sleepy by dimming the lights, pouring a hot bubble bath, turning on some soothing music, or reading a few chapters out of a good book. 

Cindy McDonald is a guest post author who enjoys writing about healthy living.  In addition, Cindy also spends her time writing for a Catholic Dating Site where she provides advice to the Catholic community about dating safely on the internet.