Sleep hygiene refers to habits and practices that promote consistent, restful sleep. Good sleep hygiene is important for maintaining both physical and mental health. When we get quality sleep, we wake up feeling energized, focused, and ready to take on the day.
Getting enough high-quality sleep sustains brain function, maintains a healthy immune system, stabilizes emotions, and so much more. On the other hand, poor sleep hygiene disrupts the body's natural sleep cycles and can cause a myriad of issues such as daytime fatigue, irritability, lack of focus, and even weight gain over time.
Some key components of good sleep hygiene include:
- Sticking to a consistent sleep schedule: Try to go to bed and wake up at about the same time each day, even on weekends. This helps regulate the body’s natural circadian rhythms.
- Creating an optimal sleep environment: Make sure your bedroom is cool, dark and quiet. Consider using blackout curtains, a fan, or white noise machine to block out light and sound. Having a comfortable mattress and pillow can also encourage better sleep.
- Avoiding food and drink before bed: Heavy meals, spicy foods, caffeine, and alcohol close to bedtime can disrupt sleep patterns.
- Establishing a calming pre-bed routine: Take time to relax and unwind in the hour before bed with quiet activities like reading, meditating or taking a bath.
- Exercising regularly and getting exposure to natural daylight also promotes healthy sleep-wake cycles.
If you are having ongoing trouble sleeping, speak to your doctor. They may refer you to the
sleep specialists at Vitality Balance Clinic for a customized evaluation and treatment plan.
The clinic's cutting-edge therapies balance hormones and neurotransmitters to resolve the root causes of sleep disruptions. With their holistic protocols, 85% of patients see improved sleep quality within just 6 weeks!
Getting your
sleep hygiene on track can work wonders. Small adjustments to your daily habits can translate to feeling more
refreshed each morning. Make sleep a priority by optimizing your bedroom setup, pre-bed routine and lifestyle choices around promoting ample quality rest on a routine basis. Your mind and body will thank you!