If you want the kind of sleep that will boost your energy and slow the aging process down (and who doesn’t right?), you need to build your sleep from the BED up. Here are 5 tips and tools for 8 hours of energy-boosting sleep. Getting a good night’s sleep makes all the difference in the world!
1. How’s your mattress?
Have you ever noticed that when you travel and stay at a hotel or stay at a friend’s house, you sleep better on their mattress. I’m sorry to report that has happened
to me quite a bit.
Most recently while staying at a friend’s house, I thought his mattress was heavenly. He got it from Costco of all places. Heck, I’ve even slept on air mattresses that were
more comfortable than my own mattress. Not a good sign!
If this happens to you, GET a new mattress! There are no right and wrong answers to what will work for you, but if you’re not sleeping well do start by assessing your mattress. After all, you spend 56 hours a week on it and it should produce the results you need, which is the kind of sleep you rave about!
2. What about your sheets?
Again, I have a confession to make. I get overly attached to sheets and keep them for way way too long.
I recently got two brand new sets of sheets and am really enjoying them. Color is important as well as fabric. I pay more attention to how a sheet feels rather than the thread count because the thread count is a marketing ploy.
From what I’ve read you can’t get more than 500 threads into a square inch! Go with
natural fibers because they are more absorbent. Over the course of an evening you can release close to a half gallon of sweat and oils.
3. How old is your blanket and what kind of shape is it in?
If you think of the best sleep of your life you probably don’t recall that it was when you were only hours old. One of the reasons infants are born to sleep is because they’re swaddled in blankets, which gives them the secure sensation of being in
utero.
How do you get that as an over tired adult whose goal is getting a good night’s sleep?
Crawl under a variety of fabrics filled with a range of insulations and you’ll discover your million dollar blanket! If you’re sweating, you’re not going to sleep well, so keep this is in mind as you test out blankets.
4. Let’s talk pillows!
For sound, comfortable sleep, you need a pillow that will keep your neck aligned with your spine.
I have a pillow that I bought thinking I’d like it. I used it one night and couldn’t adjust, so I put it in the closet to be used for guests. Turned out that every guest I gave it to LOVED it.
Strange, huh?
After hearing raves from multiple guests I decided to give the pillow another try. That was almost three years ago and I still love my pillow.
I travel with my pillow (I know, I’m weird) and quite a few friends, after laying down on my pillow, have gone out and bought their own.
Let’s just say I’m VERY picky about pillows. Maybe in my next life I’ll be one of the lucky ones who can sleep anywhere, on anything and with any pillow, but I don’t see that happening anytime soon.
Back to the keeping your spine aligned issue, the more neutral your neck’s position, the wider the nerve passageways running through it will open. The result is that you’ll reduce your risk of neck pain and enjoy a more restful sleep.
5. Thinking of trying a sleep supplement?
I don’t use them, but in researching them for this article it seems that only valerian
root results in people feeling refreshed. This root contains two chemicals that have powerful sedative properties. Be careful with over the counter meds for sleeping. They shorten the time you’re in the deep stages of sleep, leaving you exhausted in the morning and often people feel fuzzy even after they wake up.
Here are a few more secrets to getting a good night’s sleep!
So there you have it. Getting a good night’s sleep can be easy when you know how. Maybe not exactly the 5 tools for energy boosting sleep you thought I’d suggest, but heck, they are all very important and you even got a few personal confessions from me, as well!!
If you feel stuck and need additional support to adopt a new healthy habit or routine, consider working with me. We can partner up in setting goals, drawing on your skills and strengths, and implementing strategies to help you find your way to lasting healthy success.
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For over 15 years, Shelli has been a freelance writer and wellness habit coach. She writes about brain fitness, creating a healthy lifestyle, traveling the world, and making positive habits stick. Stop procrastinating! Take action, join her free newsletter.
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