Sleep Tip #16 - Control Your Stress and Anxiety

If you find that you wake up during the night or have a hard time falling asleep, it is time to get your stress and anxiety under control! Take note of the recurring thoughts that are hurting your sleep cycle. Then figure out what you need to do during the day that will help reduce your stress at night.

If you can't sleep because of worried thoughts, or things that are out of your control, you must learn to manage your anxiety! Go over everything and see if what you are worrying about is even realistic. If you find your thoughts to be irrational, you should replace them with productive ideas. Maintain a calm and positive outlook on life to sleep better at night!

Sleep Tip #8: Don't Eat Before Bed

Eating before going to bed may cause a sleepless night. Some people cannot sleep on an empty stomach, so light snacking is allowed before bed. Eating a heavy meal however can cause you to wake at night. The body's metabolism, along with other major organs slow down at night because the body needs to relax as well. This slowing of the digestive system can cause a person to gain weight during sleep. Since you are laying down, it is more common that while digesting the food, acid reflux or indigestion may occur. You will wake up from the discomfort of indigestion, or you may have to go to the bathroom. It is advised to eat no more then 3 hours before bed.

Sleep Tip #3: No Pets!

Sleeping with pets on your bed can be a surefire way to miss out on some great sleep.  Whether it is pet hair, dander, or the like causing sneezing and discomfort, you'll want to keep the cats and dogs (and any other pets you may have) off of the bed.  Pets movements during the night may not wake you, but will keep you from experiencing optimal sleep conditions.  Tell Rover and Fluffy to take a hike - you need your sleep.

Sleep Tip #2: Pump Some Iron

Exercising on a regular basis will fatigue your body naturally, and allow you to fall asleep faster, while also  providing a deeper and more restful sleep.  However, be cautious about working out within three hours of your scheduled sleep time, as this will often make it very difficult to fall asleep.  Immediately after a work out, your blood is flowing quickly and your heart rate is higher than normal, which will make it difficult to fall asleep successfully.

Sleep Tip #1: Set Your Internal Clock

Go to bed and get up at about the same time every day, even on the weekends. Sticking to a schedule helps reinforce your body's sleep and wake cycles. It can help you fall asleep more easily at night, as well as wake up around the same time every day, even without the use of an alarm.

Maintaining a strict sleep cycle will train your body to use the time it is given to fully rest and relax your mind and body to wake up refreshed. The longer the schedule is used, the easier it will be to get a deep and healthy nights rest.