Sleep easy: tips to help you improve your sleep

Developing a bedtime routine, turning your bedroom into a comfortable sleep retreat and paying close attention to what you eat and drink are some of the things you can do to increase your chances of getting the sleep you need.

Sounds straightforward, right? But in the fast-paced world that we live in it is often easy to neglect the little things that can make a big difference to our health and wellbeing. Researchers have identified a variety of practices and habits – known as sleep hygiene – that can promote restful, quality sleep.

Paying attention to the simple (and some not-so-simple) tips below will help you improve your sleep, regardless of what’s causing your problems.

• Go to bed and get up at the same time each day.
• Get regular exercise each day.
• Spend some time outdoors in natural light.
• Use your bed only for sleep and sex.
• Make the bedroom as restful as possible.
• Make sure you are Comfortable
• Don’t watch the clock.
• Watch what you drink.
• Balance your fluid intake
• Watch what you eat.
• Don’t smoke
• Allow yourself time to wind down
• Take a nap early… or not at all.
• Don’t stay in bed if you are awake.
• Understand your sleep needs.
• Don’t rely on sleeping tablets to help you get to sleep.

For a 10-page Sleep Healthbook - complete from A to Zzzz, check out the August issue of Good Health magazine — with free diet diary for every reader. Get a great subscription deal on Good Health magazine at magshop.co.nz.