How Sleep Can Contribute to a Healthier Frame of Mind

Sleep is one of those things in life that can be hard to come by.

OR RATHER...

It is experiencing a restful night's sleep that can be even more difficult to achieve, especially if stress has gotten the better of you. Here are LINGER’s top tips on how to make sleep a top priority so it benefits your mental health.

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Keep To Routine.

As with most things in life, a routine can provide a sense of structure to your day - this includes your sleep routine. Having at least seven hours of sleep at night at the minimum will ensure you feel ready to face the next day feeling bright-eyed and bushy-tailed.

Don't Overeat Or Drink The Wrong Things Before Bed

Overeating before bedtime can cause discomfort associated with indigestion. Likewise, drinking the wrong things, like too much caffeine before bed, can make frequent trips to the loo an unpleasant reality. This will, of course, lead to a disrupted night's sleep, which can make you feel grumpier and fatigued when you wake up. If you can't bear the thought of doing without your coffee later at night, then you could always try decaf, which won't make you feel more awake when you should be feeling more sleepy - and you won't need to go to the loo nearly as often.

Quit Looking At The Screen

It can be difficult not to resort to screen time as a means to unwind before bed. However, it's this very blue light that can actually make us feel the opposite of sleepy. Hence, you need to switch off your mobile or laptop and leave it off after work (talking to your remote workers). You'll also feel more of a separation between work and home life if you shut down at an acceptable hour.

Don't Nap As Much

If you're used to napping during the day and are finding it difficult to fall asleep at night, then not napping as much could be an easy remedy for this. However, it's alright to have a power nap if you must - only if you know it won't end up affecting your sleep routine.

Make Sure Your Bedroom Promotes Good Sleep

Your sleeping environment can affect your sleep routine - either positively or negatively. Knowing you have a space to retire to in the evening that you want to go to relax in should help. You can ensure your bedroom promotes a good night's sleep by ensuring it is temperature-controlled and dark enough so that no light disturbs you. Soft, supportive pillows and breathable bedding can also assist in helping you sleep contentedly throughout the night.

Make Sure You're Fully Relaxed Before Bed

Nighttime activities that relieve stress can also assist in you having a better night's sleep. For example, if you enjoy a nice, relaxing hot bath to unwind, or you prefer to read a book to distract your mind from worries, then be sure to do such activities to prep your mind and body as much

as possible for sleep.

Seek Help.

If you've tried everything and nothing works, you may need professional help in this area. Whether it's seeing a therapist or a sleep doctor, you may need to take more serious steps like this toward improving your sleep patterns. Sleeping well at night is something we should all be doing to wake up feeling refreshed and able to handle anything life throws at us. Therefore, you should limit or eliminate anything that can

get in the way of doing so.

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