Healthy Living

Monday, December 14, 2009

10 Tips for Getting Good Sleep

There’s a lot of advice out there about getting good sleep -- and it's very important. We quickly adjust to being sleep-deprived, and don't notice that we aren't functioning at a normal level, but lack of sleep really affects us. If you're feeling blue or listless, try going to sleep thirty minutes earlier for a week. It can really help.

Here are tips that have helped me get good sleep:

Good habits for good sleep:

1. Exercise most days, even if it’s just to take a walk.

2. No caffeine after 6:00 p.m.

3. An hour before bedtime, avoid doing any kind of work that takes alert thinking. Addressing envelopes—okay. Analyzing an article—nope.

4. Adjust your bedroom temperature to be slightly chilly.

5. Keep your bedroom dark. Studies show that even the tiny light from a digital alarm clock can disrupt a sleep cycle. We have about six devices in our room that glow bright green; it’s like sleeping in a mad scientist’s lab. I have to put a pillow over the cable box.

6. Keep the bedroom as tidy as possible. It’s not restful to fight through chaos into bed.

If sleep won’t come:
7. Breathe deeply and slowly until you can’t stand it anymore.

8. If your mind is racing (you’re planning a trip, a move; you’re worried about a medical diagnosis), write down what’s on your mind. This technique really works for me.

9. Slather yourself with body lotion. This feels good and also, if you’re having trouble sleeping because you’re hot, it cools you down.

10. If your feet are cold, put on socks.

Continue Reading Sixteen Tips for Getting Good Sleep on Intent.com

By Gretchen Rubin on Intent.com


Gretchen Rubin’s book, THE HAPPINESS PROJECT   is an account of the year she spent testing the wisdom of the ages, the current scientific studies, and the lessons from poplar culture about how to be happier. On her popular blog, The Happiness Project, she writes about her daily adventures in happiness.


Read More by Gretchen Rubin

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From the Community…

Comments 11-20 of 353
  • Roger's Avatar
    Posted by Roger Sun May 24, 2009 8:23am PDT

    GREAT! DO DOZE, NOT LOSE!

    Report Abuse
  • alma's Avatar
    Posted by alma Tue May 26, 2009 2:36pm PDT

    Think Positive

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  • diaz's Avatar
    Posted by diaz Tue May 26, 2009 9:34pm PDT

    a good glass of wie!

    Report Abuse
  • Jeff J's Avatar
    Posted by Jeff J Wed Jun 3, 2009 4:40pm PDT

    go figure putting socks on your feet if they are cold. i would have never thought of that.

    Report Abuse
  • Davenport's Avatar
    Posted by Davenport Wed Jun 3, 2009 4:49pm PDT

    The only thing I don't recommend is putting socks on. Why? As you sleep under your covers, there are only two ways for heat to escape. Through the head and the feet. If your socks are on your feet, it begins to build up that heat factor since you're already under the covers. This will make some people wake up boiling.

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  • GG's Avatar
    Posted by GG Wed Jun 3, 2009 4:52pm PDT

    I do all of that and still don't get a good night of sleep!

    Report Abuse
  • Dani's Avatar
    Posted by Dani Wed Jun 3, 2009 4:55pm PDT

    that was very helpful, although I do most of it already :)

    Report Abuse
  • FrancescaC's Avatar
    Posted by FrancescaC Wed Jun 3, 2009 4:55pm PDT

    maybe if ya'll stopped smoking 'crack' you'd be able to sleep better. get up, make yourself a turkey sandwich, pour yourself a glass of milk and consume these items on your couch while watching the most boring documetary you can find on television.

    Report Abuse
  • DavidH's Avatar
    Posted by DavidH Wed Jun 3, 2009 4:57pm PDT

    CHUG NYQUIL!!

    Report Abuse
  • Megan Rose's Avatar
    Posted by Megan Rose Wed Jun 3, 2009 5:00pm PDT

    My feet are always too WARM when I try to sleep. They keep me awake.

    Report Abuse
Comments 11-20 of 353

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