Six Simple Tips to Help You Sleep Better

Can't sleep? Here are six ways to cure insomnia and get a good night's rest.

By Kathryn Hawkins. Posted on June 09 2010

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My husband and I have a nine-month-old baby at home—so we’ve long since forgotten what it’s like to get a full night’s sleep. Even if you don’t have a little one waking you up at all hours, though, sleep can be an elusive beast. Millions of people suffer from insomnia, and are all too familiar with 3 AM infomercials and huge under-eye bags. Lack of sleep makes it tough to concentrate at work and can cause anxiety, depression, and make you more susceptible to illness, among many other problems.

So how can you get better sleep? In an Independent article, Dr. Nerina Ramlakhan, author of Tired But Wired, shared six simple suggestions.

Eat breakfast when you wake up. For better sleep, skip the mid-day brunch and start the day with a bowl of cereal or oatmeal. Eating breakfast when you wake up sends a message to your body, said Ramlakhan. “It tells it that in your world there is an adequate supply of food, it can relax, and that it can fall into sleep mode when it needs to.”

Listen to your body. You’ve probably heard that you need eight hours of solid sleep, but everyone is different. If you feel fine with less sleep, don’t stress about it. “It’s about awareness of your needs,” said Ramlakhan.

Take a power nap. If you can’t get all your Zs in at night, take a quick nap during the day when you have an opportunity.

Pay attention to your dreams. Had a bad dream? It’s probably trying to tell you something about your waking life. Pay attention to the cues and work to resolve the problem.

Get rid of distractions. If you live on a noisy street, try blocking out the sound with a white noise machine or earplugs.

Exercise. Whether you walk, bike, or kickbox, try to get in some exercise every day. It will improve your mood and help your body wind down when it’s time to hit the mattress.

Filed under: Health and Wellbeing,

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