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Tips for Better Sleep

Wednesday, May 09, 2012

This morning, I woke up feeling rather Zombie-like again. It took me an hour to get out of bed which is totally not like me! I had worn my FitBit to bed last night and check this out.



Only 5-6 hours of sleep! Normally I sleep great but lately I’ve had problems falling asleep (just not tired). Anyway, I’ve done some poking around the internet for tips on falling and staying asleep and here is what I came up with:

emoticon Set a regular bed time.
emoticon Get up the same time every day.
emoticon Increase light exposure during the day.
emoticon Don’t read a backlight device at night.
emoticon Make sure your room is dark.
emoticon Keep your room cool.
emoticon Have a comfortable bed.
emoticon Exercise regularly.
emoticon Eat a healthy diet.
emoticon Keep stress levels low.

Ok, so my office at work has no windows (no light exposure), my room hasn’t been very cool lately, my curtain rod broke so its not that dark, and I play on my cell phone in bed. Hm… But I am doing most things right. I do need to drop the cell phone and tablet playing right before bed. Tonight’s goal will be to put down the backlit devices at least an hour before bed. I have a magazine that I can read until I get a new book. Also, I know that the temperature of the room is a huge factor for me too but I refuse to turn on the AC yet!

emoticon Do you every have trouble sleeping? What do you do to help you sleep? emoticon
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  Member Comments About This Blog Post:

ERIN1128 5/9/2012 4:11PM

    I often have trouble falling asleep...but I have found that reading, even a few pages, before I turn out the light seems to help get me there faster than watching tv till I turn the lights out.

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EMBRACEINSPIRE 5/9/2012 1:59PM

    I'm terrible for falling asleep! I have cut out caffeine after 2 p.m., tried to incorporate all the tips-- but sometimes I can't shut my mind off. Or if I get an after-hours emergency call-- I am done for the night and sleep horribly, very little or not at all. I know my job has a lot to do with my sleep habits. I'm terrible for the backlit device too-- checking email or messages on my phone. I need to get better at this as well.

Thanks for sharing! I'm going to try better with the phone for the rest of the week!!

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MELLYBEANS0919 5/9/2012 12:42PM

    I sleep really well thankfully. I need a good 8 hours to function and I make sure I get it. I find reading in bed before sleep helps a lot, it relaxes me and takes my mind off worries, plans, etc.

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SEATTLESIMS 5/9/2012 12:01PM

    I have a windowless office too, I have 2 lamps that face the wall behind the computer monitors and have Full Spectrum light bulbs! Makes me feel like I'm working near a window at least!
Good luck on better sleep! Thanks for the tips!

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JSALERNO 5/9/2012 10:18AM

    GREAT TIPS. I'M SO GLAD I DON'T HAVE SLEEP ISSUES.

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-DYET- 5/9/2012 9:45AM

    I usually have no problems falling asleep anywhere! It is truly a blessing! I do try to stick to the same sleep/wake habits though. I think that helps

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GODZYFAN 5/9/2012 9:37AM

    I have been going to bed a half hour before I normally do and read a book for about 10 minutes or so to get tired. It's hard to put the phone away at bedtime but i have to do it! But the reading and earlier bedtime are helping a lot.

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DARRLENE13 5/9/2012 8:49AM

    I wear my fitbit to bed also. I am usualy awake around 40 times a night. My sleep efficiency is usually upper 70s to low 80s---no wonder I am always so tired.

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LADYBUGLEX 5/9/2012 8:43AM

    I think having trouble sleeping is the biggest detriment to my weight loss/general health. I've tried most of the things you have listed and it seems to be working, although the temperature in my room is sometimes totally out of my control. I've also cut out caffeine past 2:00 p.m., and that seems to be helping, too. My cell phone is a big issue for me and I know I need to put it on my desk as opposed to playing on it in bed before I go to sleep. At least we have the healthy diet and exercising regularly down!

Here's to sleeping better now that you've found some tips! emoticon

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