When it comes to your physical, mental and emotional health, getting enough sleep is a necessity, not a luxury.
Skipping even a few hours here and there can take a toll on your mood, energy, mental sharpness, and ability to handle stress. And over the long-term, chronic sleep loss can wreak havoc on your health and outlook.
While adults should aim for seven to nine hours of quality sleep each night, it’s often unrealistic to expect sleep to come the moment you lay down and close your eyes. Your brain needs time to unwind at the end of the day.
That means taking a break from the stimulation of screens—TV, phone, tablet, computer—in the two hours before bedtime, putting aside work, and postponing arguments, worrying, or brainstorming until the next day.
Tips for getting better sleep
• If anxiety or chronic worrying dominates your thoughts at night, there are steps you can take to learn how to stop worrying.
• To wind down, calm the mind, and prepare for sleep, try taking a warm bath, You could try adding Magnesium Flakes, reading by a soft light, listening to soothing music, or practicing a relaxation technique or guided imagery before bed.
• To help set your body’s internal clock and optimize the quality of your sleep, stick to a regular sleep-wake schedule, even on weekends.
• Make sure your bedroom is dark, cool, and quiet.