Are you one of the millions of people who has trouble sleeping? Knowing that others are in the same sleepless boat won’t help a bit, but there are modern sleep technologies that might.
Do you get enough sleep?
A lack of deep, restful sleep not only leaves a person feeling less than wonderful –it can also contribute to a number of health issues. When people don’t get sufficient sleep, they are at increased risk for cancer, lessened quality of life and a general lack of well-being, say sleep experts at Mayo Clinic. The same experts offer excellent advice that may help you sleep better. Avoid bright lights for a few hours before going to bed. This may help your body make a hormone called melatonin that is responsible for good sleep. Establish a regular bedtime, and stick with it. Get up at the same time every day, and get some morning sunlight in your eyes.
A study by the National Sleep Foundation revealed that an astounding 87 percent of Americans have a problem falling asleep or staying asleep, according to Forbes magazine. Millions of people say that lack of sleep interferes with their day-to-day activities. The NSF also notes that modern ‘sleep technology’ is improving the lives of many people.
Sleep technology to know about
A range of Android smartphone apps are available that could help you sleep better. Some of these amazing apps utilize the motion sensors in your phone to wake you while you’re experiencing the lightest phase of your circadian sleep cycle. Studies show that becoming alert and feeling rested is easier when it happens during this lighter phase of sleep. The free and effective Apalon Alarm Clock apps might help you sleep and wake better and is certainly worth trying. To download and install the free Apalon sleep tech app, visit Google Play. Other amazing modern sleep technologies include devices that imitate moonlight, create soothing sounds and even diffuse relaxing scents into your bedroom air. Still, others create a natural ‘sunrise’ in your bedroom and make waking up easier and more comfortable.
Tips to try for better sleep
To sleep better, keep your bedroom on the cool side. Close doors to eliminate distractions and try to avoid eating for at least an hour prior to sleep. Feng shui experts who know about the art of room arrangement recommend keeping computers and other electronic devices in a room not used for sleeping. Mayo Clinic says that drinking less caffeine and alcohol in the evening may aid sleep, too. Hydrate during the day and you might get up fewer times during the night. The clinic also suggests that if you go to bed and aren’t asleep within fifteen minutes, you might want to get up and do something relaxing until you’re tired enough to fall asleep easily. Makes sense, as laying in bed worrying if you can sleep may tend to make sleep even more difficult.
Create a bedtime ritual and stick with it. Each person’s sleep and wake cycles are slightly different, so you may have to experiment to find a ritual that works for you. A warm bath is something to try, as are lavender-scented bed linens. Soothing music and electronic candles that cast a pale shimmer may be things to add to your nightly bedtime ritual.
Mason Forster uses technology to better his life, getting more done quickly and easily with the help pf apps and other technology we have at our hands today.