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If you have trouble sleeping, you\u2019re probably doing something during the day that keeps you up at night. <\/p>\nIf you have trouble sleeping, you\u2019re probably doing something during the day that keeps you up at night. <\/p>\n
That\u2019s how our brain and body works.<\/p>\n
But what?<\/p>\n
In today\u2019s article, I\u2019ll tell you about the 4 most common things people unknowingly do to keep their sweet dreams away.<\/p>\n
Using Electronics<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n If you are one of those folks who swear that a little TV before bed or a quick game of Sudoku on your smartphone helps you relax before bed, but you still suffer from poor sleep, you\u2019re doing it wrong.<\/p>\n Countless studies have shown that the lighting and stimulation in television, smartphones, and other devices tell your brain it is time to get up and go to work. It stimulates serotonin, which is a morning or wake-time hormone. <\/p>\n When serotonin breaks down throughout the day, it produces melatonin, or the sleep-time hormone. <\/p>\n Switching the hormones makes you awake when you should be sleeping and sleepy when you should be awake. Turn off the devices at least an hour before bed, and opt for a book on real paper instead of a device.<\/p>\n Eating or Drinking Stimulants OR Depressants<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n It makes perfect sense that drinking caffeine makes it difficult to sleep. But drinking alcohol within 2 hours of bedtime will also keep you up, even if it makes you drowsy on the front end.<\/p>\n The metabolites of alcohol can have a stimulating and anxiety-inducing effect within 4 to 6 hours of consumption, right at the very time you should be in the deepest, most restorative level of sleep. Put down the red wine at least 2 hours before retiring.<\/p>\n Anxiety<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n \u201cI can\u2019t turn off my brain\u201d is a chorus millions of overworked and under-rested sing. But did you know that coloring a page in a coloring book actually helps to resolve some of that anxiety, even if that looming problem is left open? <\/p>\n Coloring a page has 2 benefits: it is deeply relaxing; and, it gives you a sense of resolution that you completed a project. It helps your mind close the book on the day, leaving you better-equipped to deal with the real challenges the next day.<\/p>\n A Messy or Chaotic Environment<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n This is the sister to Anxiety. If you have gross odors like dirty clothes or visual insults like a disheveled space, those sensory stimuli create a heaping amount of stress. <\/p>\n Change bed sheets regularly, and in the morning do a quick-tidy of the space. Make the bed- it is more comfortable to get into at night. Then, before bed, do another quick tidy (not more than 5 minutes). It creates calm in the environment, gives you brain satisfaction that you got something done, and reduces the sensory stimuli that keeps you awake.<\/p>\n