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Tired of feeling tired? Here are some simple tips to help you get to sleep. Learn the secret to good sleep. These tips will help you sleep better at night and be more energetic and productive during your waking hours.
In the new study people between the ages of 60 and answered a question survey on purpose in life and a question survey on sleep. Those who felt their lives had meaning were 63 percent less likely to have sleep apnea and 52 percent less likely to have restless leg syndrome. They also had moderately better sleep quality, a global measure of sleep disturbance. S leep apnea is a common disorder that increases with age in which a person has shallow breathing or pauses in breathing during sleep several times per hour.
Restless leg syndrome causes uncomfortable sensations in the legs and an irresistible urge to move them. For the purpose in life survey, they were asked to rate their response to such statements as: T he team now wants to see if mindfulness-based therapies to improve purpose can also improve sleep quality. We urge you to turn off your ad blocker for The Telegraph website so that you can continue to access our quality content in the future.
Visit our adblocking instructions page. Home News Sport Business. The closer to the time you get up, the better. Have your coffee outside, for example, or eat breakfast by a sunny window. The light on your face will help you wake up.
Spend more time outside during daylight. Take your work breaks outside in sunlight, exercise outside, or walk your dog during the day instead of at night. Let as much natural light into your home or workspace as possible. Keep curtains and blinds open during the day, and try to move your desk closer to the window.
If necessary, use a light therapy box. This simulates sunshine and can be especially useful during short winter days. Avoid bright screens within hours of your bedtime. The blue light emitted by your phone, tablet, computer, or TV is especially disruptive.
You can minimize the impact by using devices with smaller screens, turning the brightness down, or using light-altering software such as f. Say no to late-night television.
Not only does the light from a TV suppress melatonin, but many programs are stimulating rather than relaxing. Try listening to music or audio books instead. Use heavy curtains or shades to block light from windows, or try a sleep mask. Also consider covering up electronics that emit light.
Keep the lights down if you get up during the night. If you need some light to move around safely, try installing a dim nightlight in the hall or bathroom or using a small flashlight. This will make it easier for you to fall back to sleep.
Avoid drinking alcohol and driving while taking sleep aids. We've noticed you're adblocking. Also avoid watching late-night TV there. Limit caffeine and nicotine. If you've been having trouble falling asleep or staying asleep, you may have turned to sleep medications in search of more restful slumber. Take only the lowest possible effective dose, for the shortest possible period of time. In general, adults need between seven and nine hours of sleep each night but the exact amount varies from person to person, depending on age, lifestyle and genes.
People who exercise regularly sleep better at night and feel less sleepy during the day. Regular exercise also improves the symptoms of insomnia and sleep apnea and increases the amount of time you spend in the deep, restorative stages of sleep. Exercise speeds up your metabolism, elevates body temperature, and stimulates hormones such as cortisol. Try to finish moderate to vigorous workouts at least three hours before bedtime.
Relaxing, low-impact exercises such as yoga or gentle stretching in the evening can help promote sleep. Your daytime eating habits play a role in how well you sleep, especially in the hours before bedtime.
Limit caffeine and nicotine. You might be surprised to know that caffeine can cause sleep problems up to ten to twelve hours after drinking it! Avoid big meals at night. Try to make dinnertime earlier in the evening, and avoid heavy, rich foods within two hours of bed. Spicy or acidic foods can cause stomach trouble and heartburn.
Avoid alcohol before bed. Avoid drinking too many liquids in the evening. Drinking lots of fluids may result in frequent bathroom trips throughout the night. Cut back on sugary foods and refined carbs. For some people, a light snack before bed can help promote sleep. For others, eating before bed leads to indigestion and make sleeping more difficult. If you need a bedtime snack, try:.
Do you find yourself unable to sleep or waking up night after night?
Residual stress, worry, and anger from your day can make it very difficult to sleep well. Close your eyes and take deep, slow breaths, making each breath even deeper than the last. Starting with your toes, tense all the muscles as tightly as you can, then completely relax.
Work your way up to the top of your head. Visualizing a peaceful, restful place.