Sleep is as we all know the magic medicine we all need. Sleep can be the fixer of so many things. It relaxes us, rejuvenates us, and can even impact our learning abilities if we don’t do it properly. But of course, when it comes to sleep, we are our own worst enemies, and this precious night of sleep can seem very hard to achieve when we’ve got children who don’t sleep. So what can we all really do to ensure that we start fixing our sleep problems? It’s all about those little wins.
Learning the Art of Comfiness
When we’re comfy, we relax, and therefore we can get good quality rest even if it’s not sleep itself. This is where something like the bed quality makes a huge difference. Learning how to care for a mattress to ensure that it supports your sleep quality can be great as the firmness of a mattress plays a crucial role in sleep quality depending on your particular preferences and body types. For example, a medium to firm mattress has been shown to reduce back pain and shoulder pain, and improve sleep quality in comparison to either very firm or very soft mattresses.
Finding Your Chronotype
This is something that has been a game-changer for many people in recent years. Lots of people think that they should go to bed at around 10 p.m., but in actual fact, their chronotype may say otherwise! Finding out your chronotype through an online quiz can ensure that you are getting the right quality sleep for you based on your specific needs, rather than what society tends to dictate.
Understand the Importance of Sleep Hygiene
Sleep hygiene is critical because it’s not just about limiting alcohol, caffeine, or nicotine close to bedtime but also about recognizing what makes a good sleep schedule for you, and this includes winding down. Typically, we should avoid electronic devices at least an hour before bedtime because the blue light can disrupt our circadian rhythm. If you have a partner who needs to watch TV in order to unwind, do what you can to block out everything with a sleep mask and earplugs. Additionally, incorporating natural remedies like reishi supplements can aid relaxation and improve overall sleep quality for those looking for products or information about reishi mushroom supplements. If you have a partner who needs to watch TV in order to unwind, do what you can to block out everything with a sleep mask and earplugs.
Consistency is Key
For the sake of your chronotype and your circadian rhythm, you should remember that going to bed and waking up roughly at the same time can make a massive difference in how you feel. This isn’t always feasible if you’ve got children who don’t sleep properly, but these lessons can also be invaluable for our children as well. For those who have really young children, the fact is that it’s part of biology that they don’t sleep great for a couple of years, but after that, it’s important to address any underlying issues. Anxiety and stress are commonplace in children as well as adults, and perhaps getting into an excellent winding-down routine can make a difference for everyone.
When it comes to sleep, we’ve all got our own interpretations of it, but when in doubt, it’s important to remember the acronym QQRT, which stands for:
Q – Quality of sleep
Q – Quantity (amount/duration) of sleep
R – Regularity (consistency) of sleep schedule
T – Timing of sleep in relation to your natural circadian rhythm/chronotype
Sleep is certainly a battle that you can win!