Many of us know that we really should be getting more hours of sleep on an average night. However, it can be difficult to fall into a routine of going to bed early when you have to get up early the next day, especially with distractions like the internet and Netflix. Going without sleep during the week and catching up at weekends is a fairly common habit, especially among young professionals, but it has been shown in studies that the sleep deficit is never really truly regained. This can leave people feeling fatigued, even when the weekend rest period is over.
Why Is Getting Enough Sleep So Important?
Getting enough sleep not only makes you feel better in the short term but can also lead to your body working more as it should in terms of metabolism. If you are trying to lose weight, getting enough sleep is even more important than ever. Sleep is also involved in a lot of important processes that go on, in both the body and brain. This can be when toxins are processed in your body when muscle repair occurs, and also when the brain processes and moves things from short-term to long-term memory.
So, How Can You Get A Better Night’s Sleep Every Night?
If you have serious sleep problems like chronic insomnia, then it is best to seek help from a professional. However, if you simply find it a bit more difficult to drift off from time to time at night, or your sleep problems are more down to your own schedule and what time you go to bed than your own inability to fall asleep easily, then there are things you can do to improve your sleep pattern for 2018.
One of the most important things is to go to bed at a fairly similar time every night and to aim to wake up in the morning on a schedule too. While there is nothing wrong with catching a couple of extra hours in the morning over the weekend if you can, staying in bed until noon or later will only disrupt your schedule by making it harder to sleep the following night. Making sure to avoid caffeine before bedtime and to eat in good time before you go to bed, as well as taking a relaxing bath, reading, or doing another activity that helps your mind to unwind, can also help you drift off into a natural sleep more easily.
Prioritize Sleep!
Another important thing to consider is that while you may think you’re too busy to actually achieve an eight-hour sleep every night, you’ll be a lot more productive if you do.
Some animals, including crocodiles – as reported here at Capital OTC – but definitely aquatic mammals, actually rest half of their brain at a time, allowing them to keep one eye open while asleep. If they can do this and get enough sleep, even when surrounded by predators underwater, then it must be possible for you to find a way to stay well rested too!
