Want to sleep better? Start making it a priority rather than an afterthought.
We are all familiar with the expression, “Put the kids to bed.” Why not the grown-ups too? We understand the need to make sleep a ritual in order for our children to develop good sleep habits. However, many adults think of sleep as something they earn the right to do only after everything else comes first. We get home late, eat bad food, watch bad television, pay our bills late, worry about tomorrow, and then wonder why we can’t fall asleep!
Learn to wind down as the hours before bed approach. First, consider going to bed an hour earlier than normal. If you’re thinking it won’t work, initially you may be correct. Sleep is very habitual, and at first your mind and body may fight your efforts to nod off. Don’t worry about it. Eat a bit earlier and perform all stimulating or worrisome activity (paying bills) at least an hour or two before bedtime to give your brain a chance to “log off” from the issues of the day. Consider taking a nice shower or bath to relax. Read a book rather than watching television. Most importantly, start to think of improving your nighttime ritual and sleep habits as a priority that will require effort over the course of a few weeks.
Your mind and body will thank you.