Tips to improve your sleep
Feeling exhausted?
Struggling to sleep? So many of my friends have said the same recently - Weird dreams and lots of tossing and turning!
Stress-related insomnia due to the pandemic is definitely a thing and it’s more complicated than typical stress-related sleeplessness. From loneliness to economic hardships to juggling work and home schooling, there are multiple factors in our lives as a result of the pandemic that have caused stress levels to skyrocket and sleep hours to plummet.
Sleep replenishes and repairs the body. A lack of sleep will interfere with performance, both physically and mentally and will lead to increased appetite, therefore having a good nights sleep is just as important as exercising and eating a balanced diet!
Tips to improve your sleep
Lavender oil is fabulous for rest, relaxation and sleep – I use a pillow spray but you can also buy oil drops that you can use in your bath or on your bed sheets.
Stimulants such as alcohol and caffeine will interfere greatly with the mind and body when it comes to sleep. Whether your stress levels are running high, partners snoring or young children breaking your sleep, your caffeine intake will play a huge role in your ability to sleep at the end of the day. Everyone’s tolerance levels are different so start with having one less caffeinated drink in the day than you normally would!
Think about which foods you are eating in the evening. Remember food provides energy which we need even to simply sleep, however to make it through to breakfast our body wants slow burning carbohydrates such as vegetable and grains not foods that are high in sugar and will give us an energy boost just before bed.
Switch of your phone at least an hour before bedtime. Not only will the blue light make you feel more awake and alert but the content that you are consuming will get you thinking. I know that after a long day as tempting as it is to mindlessly scroll through facebook its the last thing that not only my eyes but also my mind needs.
