We’ve all had those nights where we’ve been so tired from a day’s work but still can’t manage to go to sleep. As it turns out, there’s an entire science to sleeping that we’re not always aware of.
Text: Atika Lim
We often think what watching television gets our eyes tired and that in turn helps us fall asleep faster but, as mentioned plenty of times, the blue light that the television emits keeps you from getting a proper good night’s sleep.
While we’re aware of the dangers of being in the sun for too long, the sun actually hosts some amazing benefits. The sun provides a good amount melatonin, a chemical that helps you sleep better.
So, be sure to get some sun on your morning commute to work but always use sunblock.
From scrolling through Instagram on your phone to watching television, all these little activities prevent you from falling asleep better at night.
Just an hour before bedtime, allow your mind to relax and calm down so you can naturally fall asleep.
A study done by the National Sleep Security in the US found that 150 minutes of moderate to vigorous activity in a week made for better sleep at night. Those involved in the study also found that people felt less sleepy during the day because they got enough quality sleep at night.
Your body’s biological clock is responsible for several bodily functions including the release of several hormones and chemicals in your body. Often times, when you sleep at different times of the day, your body clock has to constantly adjust to the different timings and reset itself so you don’t always get a peaceful sleep.
If you swear by using your phone to fall asleep faster, at least try to reduce the backlight of your phone. Bright light forces your eyes to constantly adjust to the brightness for it to view things better on your phone.
If you’re the sort that likes to sleep on your side, sleeping on a thin pillow could cause more pressure on your face and neck so much so that sleeping doesn’t feel relaxing anymore.
While some might claim that falling asleep isn’t a problem despite having coffee late in the afternoon, their quality of sleep might be affected.
If you enjoy taking warm showers, do so at least an hour and a half before bed. A high body temperature from a hot shower prevents you from falling asleep easily.
While a heavy dinner could put you in a food coma and make you sleepy, a heavy meal could cause your body’s digestive system to take a longer time to settle down before bed.