Telltale Signs You Aren’t Getting The Sleep You Need
Learn all the telltale signs your not getting enough sleep, and discover the best ways to get more shut-eye.
This article is more than 2 years old
Sleep is absolutely essential in maintaining an optimal level of health. Getting the proper amount of sleep aids in your cognitive performance. It helps to keep your immune system in tip-top shape. And helps your body safeguard against any systemic maladies like cardiovascular diseases. Simply put, sleep is a vital component of living your best life. Unfortunately, however, most of us do not get the proper amount of rest. And even if we do it’s not likely of the caliber or quality that the body needs to function at its most optimal levels. That being said, it is paramount that you do everything in your power to make sure that you are not only getting the sleep you need but that that sleep is of the best quality that it can be.
First, in order to determine whether you are getting the right amount of quality sleep you should first check in with yourself to see if you are experiencing any of the common symptoms associated with lackluster sleep. This way you’ll actually know whether you need to make any adjustments to the current sleep schedule that you are on (if you are even on a sleep schedule). Next time you wake up in the morning take note of how you feel. Do you have trouble waking up? Are you one who has to hit snooze over and over because you just can’t bring yourself to get out of bed? Also, take note of how you feel during the day. Does your head feel foggy? Are you sluggish? These are all signs that your sleep is severely lacking. If you frequently have days where these symptoms are present then you know it’s time to start making some changes.
The single best thing you can do to start getting better sleep is to set up a sleep schedule and stick to it. Going to bed and waking up at the same time helps to regulate your circadian rhythm. This in turn leads to better sleep. However, it is not just a matter of making sure you get into bed and get out of it at a certain time. A good nightly sleep schedule should start with winding down in preparation for turning in for the night. Essentially, you should take time to calm your mind and body so as to signal that it’s close to bedtime. About an hour before bed you can use things like meditation apps to quell any lingering thoughts or anxieties leftover from the day. Or perhaps wind down to a good book.
Additionally, you should aim to make your sleep space as conducive to getting a good night’s rest as possible by ensuring that there are no lights on when you finally close your eyes. Light acts as a stimulant to the brain and can be very disruptive to sleep. This especially includes the blue light emanating from your smartphone or other electronic devices. It is also especially important that this sleep schedule is something that should be maintained even on weekends. Lastly, to support your quest in achieving better more restful sleep it is also advantageous to improve other aspects that promote leading a healthy life including eating well and getting enough exercise. Your body is a sensitive and complex biological system that responds to how well you care for it. And getting better sleep is a big part of how best to do that.
