Ok minions of cool, we all just lost an hour of sleep as many of us across North America sprang forward this morning. It’s a great thing it means, brighter evenings, patio drinks, late night debauchery, and in many cases warmer weather although; for those of us living in the Pacific Northwest, today’s dump of snow makes that seem a little less believable. But more importantly for many it signals a season of lack of sleep. More fun shit to do, but the same amount of time to get it all done means a big fat sleep debt. So I have a list here of a few things you can do that will help you maximize the sleep that you can get, so that you don’t pay for it at school or the office through out the week.
• Exercise regularly. Some form of exercise for 20 to 30 minutes at least three days a week is ideal – but be sure not to exercise too close to bedtime.
• Cut down on stimulants. Consuming stimulants such as caffeine in the evening makes it harder to fall asleep. Stimulants also prevent deep sleep and increase nighttime awakenings.
• Sleep on a good bed. It's difficult to get deep, restful sleep on a mattress that's too small, too soft, too hard or too old. It won't provide the comfort and support you need to rest well.
• Don't smoke. Smokers take longer to fall asleep, awaken more often and spend less time in deep sleep.
• Unwind early in the evening. Try to deal with worries and distractions before going to bed.
• Don't go to bed stuffed or starved. A stomach that is either too full or too empty may cause physical discomfort, making it difficult to sleep through the night.
• Eat foods that can help you sleep. If you're hungry and can't get to sleep, try eating foods that contain the amino acid L-tryptophan, such as milk, eggs, tuna fish, cottage cheese and poultry.
• Develop a sleep ritual. Make the transition from nighttime to bedtime easier by doing the same things each night just before bed.
Some of them are a lot easier than others, I have my own little trick a good dose of melatonin from the health food store, gets you into a deep sleep faster, and getting regular doses of Bcomplex in pill or shot for keep your energy up! (but I am not a doctor I just know it works for me) so get out there have fun, and try and get a little sleep now and again.
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