5 Easy Tips for a Better Night of Sleep

Have you ever woken up feeling like you need just one more hour of sleep? This could be your body trying to tell you something. Either you aren’t getting enough sleep or the quality of what you’re actually getting isn’t as good as it should be.

Research says it takes 30 days to break a bad habit, so in honor of Better Sleep Month in May, Sleep Number is asking fans to share ways that they will #CommitToSleep. After all, sleep is critical to good overall health.

So how do we achieve better sleep? Here are five ways to do it.

Stick to a Schedule

I actually do this. Going to bed at the same time every night and waking up at the same time every morning helps regulate your sleep-wake cycle which in turn helps promote a better quality of sleep, according to the Mayo Clinic. The schedule stays the same on weekdays, weekends and holidays, but once a routine is established, deviating a day or two here and there won’t derail you (in my experience).

Regulate Naturally

This strategy involves taking advantage of daylight and the darkness of night. Go outside in the morning and take breaks from work outside. Let natural light flood into your workspace, if possible. On the contrary, turn off televisions and digital devices when it’s time to sleep. Blue light emitted is shown to disrupt sleep. It is better to sleep in a room that is completely dark.

Watch What You Drink and Eat

Sadly a nightcap won’t actually help you sleep better. In fact, alcohol consumed near bedtime is more likely to wake you up earlier or periodically during the night versus keeping you asleep. According to WebMD, more alcohol than usual before bedtime may rob you of your dream sleep early in your cycle. Big heavy meals are to be avoided, too, as any resulting discomfort can also defer the Sandman.

Relax: Mitigate Anxiety and Stress

This is probably the most difficult piece of the puzzle to take control of, but learning how to keep your mind at ease will make it much easier to fall asleep and stay that way. Whether it be through exercise, visualization or meditation, do what it takes to find your happy place. Get organized at work and learn to delegate. It’s easier said than done, of course, but the results will be worth it. I battle with this every day.

Monitor Your Sleep

With Sleep Number’s SleepIQ® technology you can track and adjust for your best sleep. Sensors working directly with advanced DualAir™ technology inside the Sleep Number bed measure average breathing rate, average heart rate, movement and bed presence to show you the quality of your sleep. Once you understand your current sleep cycle and what impacts it, you can make adjustments. And, another benefit is that there is nothing to wear, nothing to turn on.

Take a closer look at a Sleep Number bed with the SleepIQ technology by using the Sleep Number store locator to find a store near you. We’ve had a Sleep Number bed for several years now and love it.

What are your best tips for a better night of sleep?