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7 Tips for Better Sleep |
- Wind down. Allow an hour of
quiet time at night before bed — with no TV, computer, or vigorous
exercise. Try meditation or stretching to help your body relax.
- Evaluate your environment. Are
you trying to sleep in a room that’s
too cold, hot, noisy or bright? Try extra blankets, a
soothing fan, ear plugs, an eye mask, or whatever it
takes to make you comfy. Be sure your bed and pillow
are supporting your spine and head properly, too.
- Limit liquids. Stop drinking
beverages a couple of hours before you go to bed, and you’ll
reduce the need to wake up and stumble to the bathroom during the night.
- Avoid stimulants. Alcohol,
caffeine and nicotine can keep you awake hours after
you use them. A “nightcap” is
not a good sleep inducer, because alcohol can cause
your blood sugar to plummet hours later
- Monitor your meds. If you take medications for
pain, colds, allergies or other conditions, they may
have side-effects that can backfire and steal your sleep. Be sure to
check the drug label or fact sheet if you suspect a problem.
- Nix to noshing. If you eat a large meal too close
to bedtime, it can affect your sleep quality. And even
a small amount of certain foods, like dark chocolate or spicy-hot snacks,
can affect people with sensitivities or heartburn
- Be prepared. Even
occasional sleeplessness is well worth avoiding,
so having helpful supplements on hand is a smart decision
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