A good night's sleep: How to get it

If you find it hard to feel fully rested in the morning then try following these 12 tips from Arianna Hufington, author of 'The Sleep Revolution'

Arianna Huffington
Wednesday 11 May 2016 12:41 BST
Comments
'Don’t charge your phone next to your bed. Even better: gently escort all devices completely out of your bedroom.'
'Don’t charge your phone next to your bed. Even better: gently escort all devices completely out of your bedroom.'

The most important thing is to create a transition to sleep. Here are 12 of my best tips:

1. Keep your bedroom dark, quiet, and cool (between 60 and 67 degrees).

2. No electronic devices starting 30 minutes before bedtime.

3. Don’t charge your phone next to your bed. Even better: gently escort all devices completely out of your bedroom.

4. No caffeine after 2 p.m.

5. Remember, your bed is for sleep and sex only - no work!

6. Sorry, Mr. Snuffles: No pets on the bed.

7. Take a hot bath with Epsom salts before bed to help calm your mind and body.

8. Pajamas, nightdresses, and even special T-shirts send a sleep-friendly message to your body. If you wore it to the gym, don’t wear it to bed.

Elephant sung a lullaby to sleep

9. Do some light stretching, deep breathing, yoga, or meditation to help your body and your mind transition to sleep.

10. When reading in bed, make it a real book or an e-reader that does not emit blue light. And make sure it is not work-related: novels, poetry, philosophy, anything but work.

11. Ease yourself into sleep mode by drinking some chamomile or lavender tea.

12. Before bed, write a list of what you are grateful for. It’s a great way to make sure your blessings get the closing scene of the night.

Join our commenting forum

Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies

Comments

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in