As millennials, sleep is often the last thing that we worry about. From the long nights of studying, working late or partying – getting a good night’s sleep isn’t our top priority. However, when you don’t sleep enough it interferes with your day to day functioning and concentration. So if you’re struggling to find time for sleep, here are a couple of tips to help you get some rest.
Make a sleep schedule
As adults, we need to sleep at least seven hours a night. So if you’re struggling to find time in your night to fit in those seven hours, you should make yourself a sleep schedule. This means going to bed and waking up at the same time every day. Being consistent means that your body will eventually get accustomed to sleeping in those times. While this may take away time from your nightly activities, it will pay off in the long run.
Write down what’s worrying you
One of the reasons why you might be struggling to sleep is because you’re lying in bed thinking about all the things that are stressing you out. If something is worrying you, make sure that you write it down before you go to bed. You can even make a to-do list for the next day so that you can sort out your problems.
Don’t eat too much before bed
Eating before going to bed can actually keep you up as it can give you stomach troubles and heartburn. So avoid having large and rich meals a couple of hours before bed. If you find that you’re eating later in the night, then you can make a light meal instead.
When it comes to drinks, caffeine can actually cause you sleep problems up to ten to twelve hours after drinking it. Alcohol can also interfere with your sleep cycle later on in the night. So make sure to cut down on these a few hours before bedtime.
Avoid bright screens
Did you know that the blue light that is emitted from your tablet, phone, computer, or TV can actually keep you up at night? If you’re using your phone right before going to sleep, make sure to turn down the brightness or use some light-altering software. If you can go without your devices, then try and avoid using these one or two hours before bedtime.
Make a restful environment
Creating an environment where you can have a proper night’s rest can do wonders for your sleep. This could mean using room-darkening shades or even ear plugs if your partner/roommate snores loudly. Putting on some calming music or background sounds before going to bed can also help put you to sleep.
As we’ve all experienced at one point, having a restless night can actually have a negative effect on our energy levels and emotional health. While we might sleep in late over the weekend, finding time for a good night’s rest over the week is just as important. So next time you’re struggling to get some sleep, follow some of these tips and soon you’ll find yourself drifting off to sleep.