Sleeping not well at night is affecting our entire day, until the very last bit of the day, or until we are able to catch up with as much as 5 minutes of sleep. Nevertheless, if it is something that is happening every night, it can create a continuous nightmare.
We can help ourselves by following some of these steps around night time:
- Eat a light snack instead of a heavy meal that needs to be digested for a long time. We want to allow the body to do the extra duties during the night, like to regenerate body cells, or sorting and storing information in our brain from the day. We want to let the body be occupied with that rather than digest a heavy meal. If you are still young and growing, sleep is the best time to grow, but even if you are not, our cells rejuvenate, and this is being done faster during the night.
- The timing of eating before going to sleep is also very important. Eating supper 2 hours before going to sleep, is sufficient time to allow the body to digest the food.
- Minding for the sheets material we are sleeping on is very essential. As our body is part of nature, it would integrate better with natural materials, like cotton, linen, bamboo, etc. As we rejuvenate our oxygen level during the night, it is important to allow breathable material to cover us and touch the skin, so we don’t sweat.
- Something very useful and practical that I found is positioning the pillow just underneath the neck. When we are born, the first thing we learn is to be able to hold the head and strengthen the neck muscle. This muscle is functioning every day, without us realizing it. It is very important to have the pillow just underneath the neck and not leaving a gap in a way that the neck muscle is being rested and relaxed. I found it very rejuvenating and makes me feel rested if that part of the neck is being supported and held.
- Having a calming drink an hour before going to sleep, like chamomile tea, helps you feel more sleepy.
- I found it very useful to enter the bed before 12 am. We cannot ignore the sun cycle and the effect of the earth and the moon on us. Sleeping before 12 am and letting the body enter slowly the small hours of the night, will contribute to better sleep quality.
- The temperature in the room is also very important, as we don’t want the body to be busy warming up. Sometimes a pair of socks can warm the entire body. Leaving a window open for fresh air, can contribute to oxygen circulation.
- Immersing oneself in a warm shower before slipping into bed is more than just a cleansing ritual. As the water cascades over our body, it does more than merely cleanse the skin. It serves as a symbolic act of washing away the day’s burdens, worries, and fatigue, offering a fresh slate for the mind and spirit. This practice isn’t just about physical cleanliness; it’s a transformative experience that rejuvenates our conscious state. Furthermore, the warmth of the water plays a crucial role in harmonizing our body’s temperature with that of our home environment, fostering a sense of balance and comfort that prepares us for a restful night’s sleep.
- It’s time to wake up! I’ve discovered that waking up early, around 7 o’clock or earlier, is incredibly beneficial. First off, we are part of a natural cycle (if you haven’t noticed!) where waking up late tends to push us into going to sleep late as well, simply because we won’t feel tired. Secondly, oversleeping in the morning can achieve the opposite of what we intend, leaving our bodies even more fatigued. Sleeping extra hours in the morning can lead to an accumulation of energy, which often results in unusual morning dreams, since the body is over charged, and leaves us feeling drowsy and tired upon waking.
Hopefully, if you follow these tips your sleep will improve!
