Tips for Better Sleep
Sometimes I find it difficult to wind down after a busy day, especially when I know tomorrow is going to have me engaging in logistical gymnastics. I suspect you know what I mean by that term, appointments, errands, running kids back and forth from activities, throw in a car that needs new tires…here are five tips for better sleep that assist me in getting the recommended eight hours, so I can wake rested and ready to do backflips. After my morning coffee that is.
1) Reviewing your schedule for the next day
Glancing at your schedule before bed can help you to see that you’ve got it all planned, nothing is forgotten, and you know what the next day will bring. This can ease your mind, and allow you to fall asleep with confidence, eliminating concerns that you have forgotten an appointment or might drop the ball on an obligation to bring oranges to your kids school as that week’s snack mom.
2) Make sure the temperature of your bedroom is ideal
My husband and I used to battle over the temperature of our bedroom, he likes it cold while I liked it toasty, though I finally realized I get a better sleep when the room is not too hot. When the room is a little cooler, there is less tendency to wake up in a sweat, plus think about all the buzz surrounding cryotherapy. While I’m not quite ready to submerge my entire body in a cold chamber, many people suggest cooler temps allow for younger looking skin, more energy and better mood. We find the ideal temperature for rest to be 67 degrees, or roughly 19 degrees Celsius. Experiment with what works for you, though try to err on the cooler side for the best effect.
3) Get a white noise machine
Great for adults and kids alike, white noise machines mask disruptive environmental noise so you can sleep undisturbed. The Lectrofan High Fidelity White Noise Machine has XX different sounds, volume control, and is small enough to take traveling. You may like it for yourself, though you may like it even better for a baby or child that has issues getting to sleep or falling asleep. A tip for traveling with kids- having them used to a white noise machine or consistent “sound” while at home can make sleeping in an unfamiliar environment easier if you bring the sound with you. Enter in this portable little device.
4) Meditate
By this point, I’m sure you’ve heard all about the benefits of meditation, its stress relieving, life extending powers. My recommendation is a little book called “How To Love” by the Zen Master Thich Nhat Hanh, one of the best-known Zen teachers in the world today. A few years ago in Paris a friend took me to a conference in which he was speaking, and I’ve enjoyed reading his material ever since. Reading a passage before bed each night could help put you in a zen state of mind. I’ve also gifted it to friends and family, it’s a unique and fun read.
5) Proper Pillow
I can’t even begin to recommend one type of pillow for everyone, since we all have unique preferences when it comes to how we lay our heads. My husband is super picky when it comes to his pillows, and after trying several pillows, we found success with the Coop Home Goods Hypoallergenic Memory Foam Pillow in King Size. It’s probably the closest thing to a one size fits all pillow, since you can adjust the memory foam fill. It also has a removable cover and is GREENGUARD Gold certified, which means it is certified as a product with low chemical emissions and is acceptable for use in environments such as schools and hospitals. I like it because I have allergies and its hypoallergenic and dust-mite resistant.
