Sleep Well: 20 Ways To Get A Better Night's Sleep

Sleep Well: 20 Ways To Get A Better Night's Sleep

We already know that too little sleep is bad for you - now, in addition, recent reports have suggested that too much sleep can also be bad for you.

To help you get a better night's sleep, check out the following 20 ways to sleep better tonight.

1. De-stress

Bed pillows and throw
Zzzzzzz

Leave your worries outside the bedroom. If you're stressed about tomorrow's gigantic to-do list, write it all down in a notepad before you rest. This way, you can help to clear your head and forget about it until tomorrow.

If you're feeling adventurous give gentle yoga or meditation a go to help you feel calm before you sleep.

2. Paint the walls

Cool colours such as blues, greens and grey can help to reduce your heart rate, slow respiration and lower blood pressure. Blue is said to be associated with calm and soothing feelings which will help prevent nightmares, so pick up a brush and start painting!

3. Prevent bathroom visits in the night

Don't drink anything within 2 hours of bedtime - this means you won't need the loo in the middle of the night!

4. Don't be a Clock-Watcher

clock
Don't look!

Stop looking at that clock - you'll end up worrying about the time you have left in bed. Turn your clock to face away from you, or if you're a clock-watching addict then put it away in the drawer.

5. No napping

As appealing as a quick forty winks may be, avoid napping if you have trouble trying to get to sleep. If you get tired in the afternoon, drink a glass of ice water or go for a short walk to help wake yourself up.

6. Eat well

Avoid heavy meals late at night as they will make your digestive system work harder. Finish any snacks at least one hour before bed to help your digestive system.

7. The dark side of blue light

screens
Reduce your screen time

Artificial light emitted by electronics and energy-efficient light-bulbs may be bad for your health after sundown. Exposure to blue wavelengths can disrupt the brain's natural sleep-wake cycles, so put away that laptop. Have a digital detox, staying away from screens (TVs, computers and mobile phones) for ideally  2 - 3 hours before you sleep.

8. Cut the coffee, tea & cigarettes

Caffeine can interfere with rest so stay away from coffee and tea from midday onwards. Nicotine is also a stimulant - smoking before bed can increase your heart rate and keep your brain alert, so put down those cigarettes!

9. Sort out your sleep cycle

Go to bed and make sure you awake at the same time each day, even at weekends. Following this routine will help get your body and brain on a healthy sleep-wake cycle which will lead to a healthier body and mind.

10. Exercise

ball
Get your body moving.

Regular exercise has been shown to help sleep. Aim to do 150 minutes of moderate exercise a week. This will mean you will sleep better and have more energy the next day. Don't work out too close to bedtime though as this might make you feel more awake.

11. Stop working

It's time to switch off from work and start removing computers and work material away from the bedroom. This will help clear your mind and lead to a good period of relaxation before bedtime.

12. Stay away from alcohol

alcohol
It's more disruptive than you'd think!

You may wonder why you tend to rise early after you've had a heavy night out. Alcohol may make you fall asleep quickly, but don't be fooled - sleep patterns later in the night will be more disrupted and keep you from getting that vital REM sleep you need to feel refreshed.

13. Light right

Avoid blue lights at night and switch on lamps with warm yellow or gold light. Try soft lighting which can light the areas of the room you need to use. Why not get romantic with candlelight?

14. Open a window

As long as it is safe to do so, leave your window slightly open to let air circulate around your bedroom. The ideal temperature for sleep is 18 - 21°C, so if you're a perfectionist, why not invest in a room thermometer?

15. No dogs & cats

cat
Don't let them take over your bed!

Are you awoken by whimpering, snoring and wandering? Say goodnight to Barker the dog and Fluffy the cat today! Sharing a bed with a pet can lower your sleep quality, so banish them from the bedroom and you'll soon be on your way to a peaceful night's sleep.

16. Wear socks

Your bedroom might be cool but your body should be toasty. Do your feet get cold at night? If they are keeping you awake then warm them up with a nice comfy pair of socks or hot water bottle. The added heat can help improve your circulation, allowing you to fall asleep quicker. You'll soon be counting those sheep!

17. Keep the noise down

Consider earplugs if your room is affected by noise at night. If you can't use earplugs then try listening to soothing sounds or make your own white noise by setting your radio between station channels. You'll be peaceful in no time!

18. Take a hot bath

Bath water with ducks in
Don't forget the bubbles!

Body temperature dips at night starting 2 hours before sleep, so have a soak in a hot bath for 20 - 30 minutes to help your temperature rise. The cool-down period after your bath will relax you, meaning you're likely to have a deep sleep.

19. Block out the light

Why not install thick curtains in your bedroom? This will help keep your room as dark as possible when you sleep. Exposure to light will affect your biological clock, so you may find it difficult to fall asleep.

20. Stick to a routine

bed
Bedtime should run like clockwork.

Develop nightly habits such as brushing your hair or laying out your pyjamas. Routines are a great way to get your brain thinking it's time to relax and shift into sleep mode.

Sleep well tonight!

 

If you've got any tips you'd like to share, please let me know in the comments below.

Colleen B

Editor

Lifelong biscuit addict. Obsessed with recipes, cooking & eating. Slightly lazier than the average bear, so likes writing about life hacks & discovering the quickest / easiest way to do things.

Follow me on X
  1. Author Erin on April 6, 2016 at 10:23 am

    This is a great article, I really struggle to get quality sleep at times and I will definitely try these tonight. Thanks Colleen!

    1. Author Colleen B on April 6, 2016 at 10:26 am

      Thanks for your kind words Erin, we really appreciate it. Sweet dreams!

    Reply
  2. Author N kearns on October 19, 2019 at 4:17 pm

    Hia i have trouble sleeping i take sleeping tablets but they don't work now . I will try the white noise and the relaxing tips thanks

    1. Author Joanne A on October 21, 2019 at 11:42 am

      I hope it helps you!

    Reply
  3. Author Amanda Smith on October 31, 2019 at 9:04 am

    Tried all of the above, but nothing helps. Being inconstant pain doesn't help. And having my bedroom at the front of the property doesn't help. There's a car park right at the front, and cars coming and going all night, with my (very noisy) neighbors shouting bye! Love lots. Just get verbal abuse when ask them to be quiet. And can't sleep anywhere else, as only have one bedroom. HELP! P. S. Why should I move been there for many years, and until the neighbors moved in, was very happy.

    1. Author Joanne A on October 31, 2019 at 9:43 am

      I'm so sorry to hear that, Amanda! Have you tried earplugs? Or maybe trying to get to sleep before the noise normally starts? Do you have double glazing? This could help to cut out some of the noise.

    Reply
  4. Author RHW666 on October 31, 2019 at 9:54 am

    Tip 2 says paint the walls. Tip 19 says block out the light. If you block out the light and the room is in darkness, you do not need to paint the walls as you cannot see what colour they are in the dark.

    1. Author Joanne A on October 31, 2019 at 12:55 pm

      That's very true, though you might find that the colour helps you to relax before you turn the lights off.

    Reply
  5. Author Lucy Ambrose on October 31, 2019 at 2:36 pm

    Lavender is great for promoting sleepiness, try washing bedclothes in lavender scented detergent, or use a few drops of lavender oil on the pillows.

    1. Author Joanne A on October 31, 2019 at 4:53 pm

      Thanks for sharing, Lucy! Great advice.

    Reply
  6. Author Tracy Hughes on August 5, 2020 at 10:15 pm

    Be aware white noise is no good if you have tinnitus (constant noise in your ears), I suffer with this so avoided this tip.

    1. Author Joanne A on August 7, 2020 at 3:39 pm

      That's very useful to know. Thanks for sharing, Tracy!

    Reply
  7. Author Penelope on April 16, 2022 at 2:17 pm

    Great advise if you are retired or work Monday to Friday (9-5) but for the majority of the working population who work varied shifts like myself the advise is pointless!!

    1. Author Joanne A on November 3, 2022 at 5:17 pm

      I'm sorry to hear that Penelope. Is there anything you have found that works for you? I'm sure our readers would love your insight.

    Reply

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *