FEELING TIRED?

September 13, 2011

Having a hard time getting up in the morning? Struggling with this new fall schedule with the kids starting school? Do you look forward to catching up on sleep over the weekend? A variety of things interfere with a good night's sleep but there are things you can do to get yourself into a better routine and get rid of those bad habits.
Do you exercise regularly? Exercise can help you sleep better and deeper just as long as you do not do it right before bedtime.
Do you eat or drink right before going to bed? Heavy meals, caffeinated drinks and alcoholic beverages before bed can make for a
restless night. Avoid consuming heavy, late night dinners. Also avoid caffeine at least six hours and alcohol for two hours before
bedtime.
Do you smoke? Cigarettes are stimulants, so a smoker can go through withdrawal at night, making for a sleepless night. So better yet,
kick the habit.
Do you have a comfortable sleep environment? If you wake up feeling stiff and not rested, you may need a new mattress. Make sure your room is at a comfortable temperature and try using ear plugs and curtains to block out noise and light.
Do you have a regular sleep schedule? After a summer of sleeping in with the kids and going to bed late, this was an important habit we
needed to break. Going to sleep and getting up at a regular time are important for restful sleep.