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We spend almost a third of our life asleep, and it’s a critical biological function that helps our body and mind recover from the stress of the day. Unfortunately, the pace of a modern lifestyle and addiction to mobile devices means that more Americans are getting less sleep than ever before.
Losing out on a good night’s rest can be harmful to your health. If you’re not getting enough shut-eye, it can affect your physical and mental health.
Don’t Short-change Your Sleep
According to leading neuroscientist, Dr. Matthew Walker, we need 8-hours of sleep every night to eliminate toxins from the brain that affect our cognitive awareness and efficiency. Getting less than the prescribed amount of sleep can result in issues such as fatigue, confusion, and neural damage to the brain.
Dr. Walker suggests that America is in the midst of a “catastrophic sleep-loss epidemic,” that’s affecting the health of the nation. Studies show that insufficient sleep results in the early development of neuro-cognitive diseases such as Alzheimer’s, as well as an increase in developing a host of physiological disorders and diseases such as high-anxiety, diabetes, obesity, and even cancer.
It’s critical for your physical and mental well-being that you get enough time between the sheets every night. Here are 5-tips you can use to get your 8-hours every evening.
5 Tips for Getting a Good Night’s Sleep
If you struggle to stay asleep, our reach the 8-hour threshold, try out these 5-ideas to help you get the rest you need.
1. Invest in a Good Bed
As previously mentioned, we spend almost a third of our lives asleep. One of the easiest ways to ensure you reach that sleep target is investing in a proper bed that’s comfortable. Visit your local mattress dealer and try out a few mattresses. There’s a wide variety available to suit anyone’s preference. Do you enjoy a firm bed or a soft one?
Give each model on the showroom floor a try and then head home to place your order online. The chances are that an online retailer will offer you a better deal than a brick-and-mortar retailer. Don’t be afraid to splash out on your new bed. The majority of mattresses available will come with a 10-year warranty on the materials and springs.
2. Buy Quality Bedding
After you’ve ordered your new bed, it’s time to get some comfortable bedding that feels soft against your skin. If you live in a cold part of the country, you may need a thick warm comforter and thick sheets to keep out the cold air. If you stay in a state with warm weather, then a light duvet with some airy sheets is your best bet.
We recommend that you consider purchasing a bamboo-based linen and duvet set. Bamboo offers a level of comfort that even Egyptian cotton can’t match, check out the BestBambooGuide for the best range of linen for your new bed.
3. Pillow Power
To round off your new sleeping environment, choose a memory foam pillow that adjusts to the contours of your neck and provides you with excellent support while you sleep.
This sleep essential is another bedding item where you don’t want to skimp on the price-tag. A good pillow will ensure that you wake up feeling refreshed, instead of with a sore neck.
4. Don’t Eat or Drink Before Bed
Abstain from eating or drinking for an hour before you hit the sack. This strategy will ensure that it’s easy to fall asleep and you won’t wake up during the night to use the bathroom. Eating before bedtime disrupts the function of the gastrointestinal system, leading to bloating and gas that disturbs your sleep.
5. Avoid Alcohol and Drugs
Abuse of alcohol and drugs will affect your circadian rhythms, the biological events that govern your sleep patterns. Avoid drinking or using drugs and get a good night’s rest.
The Final Thought – What to Do if You Suffer from Insomnia
More than 50-million Americans live with some form of sleeping disorder. If you have insomnia or restless sleep, visit your physician for a checkup and advice on what you can do to achieve the rest you need. Your doctor may prescribe sleeping medications that assist you with falling asleep.
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This content is sponsored by Jamshed Chaudhary.
Photo: Pexels