Ignoring Sleep Hygiene Can Prevent You from Sleeping Better

Sleep hygiene refers to the habits and practises that help you to have a better night’s rest. Implementing these habits are necessary to increase your sleep quality and will keep you alert throughout the day. Obtaining a healthy sleep pattern is vital to your overall physical and mental health and improves your quality of living. Children and adults will benefit from executing these habits, so if you want a better night’s sleep the answer often begins with improving your sleep hygiene. 

Proper hygiene is important

Everyone can dramatically improve their sleep quality by making a few minor adjustments to their lifestyle and attitude towards sleep. Ignoring sleep habits will prevent you from getting the necessary rest each night. Insufficient sleep hygiene can produce common side effects and sleep disorders, which can be damaging to your quality of life. If you have trouble falling asleep, feel fatigued during the daytime, have a restless night’s sleep or wake up tired, there’s a high chance you have bad sleep hygiene.

Develop a routine

Having a consistent routine before bedtime can increase your chances of falling asleep quicker and reduces inadequate sleep hygiene. Relaxing activities such as meditation, breathing techniques, calming music or reading can all play a part in relaxing your mind. Various elements of your room can also affect how you sleep. Make sure your room is at a comfortable temperature, you have adequate blinds to block out light and have sufficient bedding to keep you relaxed.

You’ll find that the more you get into a routine before bed, sleep will naturally become easier. On top of a regular routine before sleeping you should also have a regular bedtime. Going to bed at the same time every evening will become ingrained in your internal clock and will result in sleep when combined with other sleep quality hygiene habits. Getting up at the same time every day will also help to set your body clock, so you’ll find yourself getting tired at the same time every evening.

Get enough sleep!

Make sure to set aside enough time for you to get between seven or eight hours of sleep per night. If you still feel unrested after seven hours, then you should gradually increase the numbers per night and figure out what number works best for you. However, if you wake up after six hours, jump out of bed and feel well-rested then take the recommended hours as a guide because it always comes down to how you feel. Sleep hygiene needs will also differ depending on our age and overall health.

A strong sleep routine on a regular basis is necessary to maintain balanced emotional, mental and physical well-being. Sleep is vital and helps us stay focused, regulates our mood and allows us to be more productive in our day to day lives. If you practise the correct sleep hygiene habits it can make all the difference between a good night’s sleep or a night spent counting sheep.

If for any reason you are experiencing sleeplessness and you cannot resolve the issue, consult your pharmacist about your options to resolve the issue.