Our lifestyles significantly affect the quality of our lives. If you’ve ever made positive changes to your lifestyle, you know how beneficial they can be.
One major way our lifestyles impact our health is through the quality of our sleep. Poor sleep can lead to unnecessary stress and several other issues in our waking life. Some people suffer from severe sleep disorders like insomnia and sleep apnea, which can drastically affect their lives.
However, altering our lifestyles can often lead to better sleep. Even small changes can make a big difference. Here are some lifestyle choices you might consider if you’re struggling to get enough sleep.
If you have sleep apnea, you might already use a CPAP machine to help with breathing at night. But incorporating a few different lifestyle changes could improve your sleep even further. It’s worth noting that some CPAP devices come with other health risks, such as respiratory problems and cancer, which is all the more reason to explore alternative solutions.
Natural ways to cope with sleep disorders include creating a sleep-friendly environment in your bedroom. Many of our bedrooms are not designed to promote healthy sleep habits. This could range from the colors on the walls to the type of mattress you sleep on.
Start by removing the TV from your room to avoid the temptation of staying up late. When it comes to decor, aim to create a peaceful and mellow environment. Choose soft, muted colors like soft blues, slates, pastels, or earth tones for your walls, as these are more relaxing. Additionally, switch to soft lighting to make the room more calming.
A big culprit in sabotaging our sleep is late-night device usage. Reducing your screen time, especially in the evening, can greatly improve your sleep schedule. The blue light from smartphones, laptops, and tablets affects melatonin production, which regulates sleep cycles. Your body produces melatonin when it gets dark, but staring at a screen or staying in a brightly lit room can reduce this hormone’s production. This leads to poor sleep.
Moreover, using devices at night keeps your brain alert, and scrolling through social media can interfere with getting a good night’s rest.
When our lives are out of balance, our lifestyle is often the cause. With a few simple adjustments, you can start living more fully and getting adequate rest each night without major changes to your daily routine. Positive choices lead to positive experiences. Following the advice here will put you on the path to better sleep.