When people set new year’s health goals for themselves, they’re usually in the realm of things like eating healthier, putting in more effort to exercise regularly, or losing a certain number of pounds.
That said, few individuals give much thought to improving how they sleep.
In fact, most probably aren’t even aware that such a thing is possible.
People tend to view sleep in the same way they look at breathing: something that happens naturally that can neither be made better nor worse.
Consider, however, the number of people you see asleep on the train during your morning commute or even your own flagging energy levels come midday.
Such things can be fixed by getting better quality sleep at night.
Other benefits of getting better sleep include improved concentration and productivity, better performance in athletic activities, and a stronger immune system, among others.
It can also reduce your risk for heart disease, obesity, and stroke.
The best part is that improving your sleep quality involves little more than making a few small adjustments to your lifestyle and sleeping routine.
Just choose the right women’s sleepwear, for example, and you can have a better night’s sleep instantly.
Read on below for more easy ways to enhance the quality of your sleep:
Invest in Cozy Sleepwear
People generally don’t put much thought into what they wear to bed.
Indeed, most individuals are happy enough to don any old shirts that they have in their closets.
What a lot of women may not be aware of is the fact that the clothes they wear to bed can affect the quality of their sleep.
Clothing that’s specially designed for sleep is made with soft, comfortable fabrics that feel great on the skin.
They can also help with thermoregulation.
For example, cotton is cool and breathable, making it a great choice for summer nights, while fleece or flannel is best worn during the wintertime when temperatures drop.
This means that when you wear the right women’s sleepwear, you won’t have to keep fiddling with the thermostat.
You also won’t wake up in the middle of the night as often from feeling too hot or too cold.
Get Yourself a Bed That’s Ideal for Sleeping
In the same way that what you sleep in matters, what you sleep on is important, too.
A good mattress needs to be able to support your body adequately while you sleep.
Otherwise, you could be setting yourself up for a lot of pain.
Speaking of pain, those who suffer from chronic back or hip pain need to find a mattress that can provide the right kind of support.
This will keep their conditions from worsening and will ensure that they can sleep comfortably through the night.
Hence, don’t just buy the cheapest mattress that’s offered to you the next time you go shopping. Try checking out the Isense mattress online, their advanced memory foam technology is pretty impressive.
Take the time to test out each one until you find something that feels right.
It’s also a good idea to solicit the advice of a professional when choosing a new mattress.
They’ll take things like your weight and your sleeping position into consideration to help you find one that best suits your needs.
Keep an Eye on the Thermostat
Studies show that a cooler bedroom is more conducive to sleeping. How cool, you ask?
Experts agree that a bedroom temperature between 60 to 67° Fahrenheit is perfect for promoting a restful slumber.
If this feels too cold for you, add warmth by putting a pair of socks on, wearing sleepwear made with thicker fabrics, or sleeping with a nice, warm blanket or comforter.
Put Your Phone Away
Another factor that could be adversely affecting your sleep is light exposure.
Specifically, the harsh blue light coming from your overhead fixtures or the ones in electronic devices such as your phone, tablet, or computer can disrupt your circadian rhythm.
This light can trick your brain into thinking that it’ still daytime, making it more difficult to fall asleep.
Exposure to it at night also inhibits the release of the hormone called melatonin, which helps you relax and sleep better.
Fortunately, there are plenty of ways to reduce your exposure to blue light in the evenings.
Simply putting your phone away at bedtime can help.
You can also use the built-in blue light blockers on your devices, which you can find under options called “vision comfort” or “night light.”
It can also help to turn off any bright lights at least two hours before going to bed.
Watch Your Caffeine Intake
Coffee is the most popular drink in the world, and a lot of people heavily depend on it to get them through the rigors of the day.
However, this delicious beverage that perks you up in the morning can also be making it harder for you to relax after the sun sets.
This is because caffeine can last in your bloodstream for six to eight hours.
Additionally, consuming large amounts of it has also been proven to negatively impact sleep quality.
Simply cutting down on how many cups of coffee you drink each day can help a lot.
You can also avoid consuming caffeine too late in the day. Generally speaking, it’s safe to drink your cup of joe before 3 p.m.
If any of your goals this year involve living a healthier lifestyle, then getting better quality sleep is something that you owe to yourself.
So try these techniques out as soon as you can.
The sooner you start enjoying a good night’s rest, the better for your overall well-being.