Terri Ramsey Beavers There are a great number of factors that can affect the quality of our sleep. However, many of them are often overlooked because some people believe that as long as you close your eyes and doze off, you’re getting sleep and nothing else matters. However, if you’ve woken up in a comfortable bed and still feel awful in the morning, then you’ll know that there are probably a couple more factors involved.
So let’s take a look at some of the small things that can actually be a huge influence in the quality of your sleep.
Contrary to what some people believe, comfort is a big deal
There’s this belief among some people that as long as you’re asleep, nothing else really matters and you should be able to wake up feeling refreshed. However, if you’ve ever slept in an uncomfortable airplane seat or fallen asleep in a chair, then you’ll probably know that this isn’t true at all. Comfort makes a huge difference, which is why people look into things like the best latex mattress topper for the money, or even spend thousands of dollars on a fancy mattress that has loads of different layers. The more comfortable you are when you sleep, the more refreshed you’ll feel when you wake up. Don’t overlook the importance of comfort and invest in it if you are able to!
Stress and how it negatively affects our sleep
Some people think that stress isn’t a factor when it comes to sleep. In fact, some would argue that sleep can help keep your mind off things, resulting in less stress over time. Unfortunately, the opposite is true. Stress keeps your body and mind in a state that negatively impacts your physical and mental well-being. This stress can ultimately lead to sleep deprivation because there are too many things on your mind and you’re always in a state of alertness. If you believe that you might be stressed at work or at home, then it could be the reason why you’re unable to get a good night’s rest. Dealing with your stress can lead to a much better night’s rest while also greatly improving your overall health, so don’t overlook this possibility.
Routines can prepare your body for sleep, especially if they are consistent
If you get used to a nighttime routine, then your body will actually recognize this and slowly start to wind down. For instance, having a 30-minute routine at the same time every day can help ensure that your body has time to slow down, relax, and prepare for bed. This is helped by laid-back tasks that can soothe your body, such as a nice warm bath or even a bit of gentle exercise and stretching before you sleep. If you practice a consistent nighttime routine, then it’ll help you get a great night’s rest. Just try not to do anything that can put more thoughts into your mind, such as looking at your smartphone or watching a show in bed.