Counting Sheep: 3 Better Sleep Habits

I credit naps as the sole reason why I can function throughout the day. If you don’t hear from me, I’m probably sleeping. There’s a post online that compares high school and college. It says in high school, I woke up early, sat through 7 hours of school, played sports, and did homework without napping. In college, I need a nap after only taking a shower. It feels so relatable and true. I get so tired just after sitting through a 2-hour class. I feel like my mind checks out and I can no longer properly function.

The Importance of Sleep:

Sleep is a vital part of living. It gives our bodies and mind time to rest and recharge. A healthy amount of sleep also helps us stay healthy and keep diseases away. Sleep affects our brain function, our emotions, risk for disease, and weight. It is crazy to think about how crucial sleep is and how a lack of sleep could interfere with our brain’s productivity. Many of us don’t get enough sleep. Sometimes, I’m one of those people. I will stay up late and prioritize work or social outings instead of sleeping. Although it is important to keep up with schoolwork or being social, sleep is just as important. The National Sleep Foundation says that adults should be getting around 7 to 9 hours of sleep.

Benefits of Sleep:

The benefits of sleep are endless. It lowers the chance of sickness, weight gain, reduces risk of health problems such as diabetes and heart disease, reduces stress, improves mood, clears your mind, and leads to better relationships.

Better Sleep Habits: I know when I’m really stressed out or worried, I have a lot of trouble falling asleep. I constantly have a million things running through my mind, and it definitely shows when I’m trying to fall asleep. I’ve created a routine of things to do to make it easier for me to fall asleep.

(1) Sheep...Create a Sleep Schedule: Leave time for you to sleep. If you’re overscheduling or not prioritizing your sleep, you’re obviously not going to get enough sleep.

(2) Sheep...Watch your Eating Habits:

It might seem weird to think that your eating habits can impact your sleeping habits, but it does. I like to stop eating 2-3 hours before I go to sleep. Going to sleep on a full stomach can lead to excessive weight gain because you’re not allowing your body to have enough time to digest. Eating something sugary can lead you to have a sugar high or be amped up on caffeine, which isn’t the smartest idea if you're trying to fall asleep.

(3) Sheep...Create a Calming Environment: About an hour or so before I’m ready for bed, I like to take a hot shower and start my nighttime routine. I will make myself some chamomile tea or turn on my diffuser with essential oils to help me relax. After chaotic school or workdays, sometimes all I need is an hour to get myself in a relaxed state. You could take a bath, use essential oils, or listen to calm music too.

ZZzzzZzzzZZzzzZ....

Let me know how these sleep tips help or if you have any I missed in the comments!