Great Sleep

Sleep is an important part of staying healthy and performing at your highest level. Sleep is also something that most of us struggle to get enough of. Getting between 7 and 9 hours of sleep per night is important to be at your best both mentally and physically. If you are looking to lose weight, getting enough sleep is an important step. The quality of your sleep is also important. If you are tossing and turning, waking in the middle of the night, or waking up feeling sluggish in the mornings then the following tips could also help.

Tips for better sleep:

1. Sleep in a dark/cool room – Light from a TV or other electronic devices can keep you from getting a deep restorative sleep. People also tend to sleep better in a slightly cooler room.

2. Turn off the TV, computer, tablet, and cell phones 30 minutes before you go to sleep – the blue light from these devices can decrease melatonin production which is the chemical that makes you sleepy.

3. Try to get 10 minutes of sunlight in the morning – this will help regulate the chemicals in your body that control your sleep cycle.

4. Create a bedtime routine – Whether it’s taking a shower and brushing your teeth, or sitting quietly and reading a book, creating a routine signals your body that it is time to wind down for the day.

5. Try to avoid caffeine after 2:00 p.m. – this will allow your body time to process out all of the stimulants before you are trying to go to sleep.

These are just a few tips to help get you on your way to a better night’s sleep. Here’s to catching a few more Zzzz’s!