7 sleep aid tips for helping you go to sleep

Sleep is essential but research shows only one in three of us finds it easy to go to sleep each night.

Over the years I’ve found the following sleep aid strategies to really help me get a good night’s rest.

Be consistent

Keep to a regular bedtime schedule and get up at the same time each morning. Sleeping in can be as harmful as not getting enough rest. It weakens your sleep pattern, and you may sleep poorly the next night.

Cut back on caffeine

Coffee, tea or cola within three to six hours of bedtime may keep you awake.

Don’t smoke

Nicotine is a stimulant that disrupts sleep.

Use your bedroom only for sleeping

Another wonderful sleep aid tip is to remove all your papers and work equipment, clutter and TV; keep the room cool, dark and restful.

Enjoy natural light

Sunlight helps reset your internal sleep clock. Try to spend 20 minutes outdoors daily.

Eliminate disturbances

If kids need attention during the night, trade off getting up with your partner. Unplug the phone and let the answering machine handle calls. When you are being constantly disturbed it is almost impossible to go to sleep and get a solid night’s rest.

Eat small snacks

A large snack at bedtime boosts your metabolic rate and body temperature for two hours this in turn, will make the process of trying to go to sleep more difficult. Save big meals for early hours, and finish the day with something light.

I hope you found the above sleep aid strategies useful.

Sweet dreams.