Better Daytime Habits That Can Help You Sleep

Read on to see which bad daytime habits you've developed that may be impacting the quality of your sleep. Then realize that you'll sleep better simply by making a few changes in your routine.

Exercise
Getting exercise every day has its benefits. That's not debatable. However, strenuous exercise done in the early evening or later can affect your ability to fall asleep because it raises your body temperature and it won't begin to fall for several hours. It's much easier to fall asleep when body temperature is lower.

If you exercise late in the day, consider changing your workout time. Exercising 5 or 6 hours before you plan to go to bed is ideal, as this allows ample time for your body temperature to cool to a level that's conducive to sleep. Whatever you do however, do not stop exercising. You reap an abundance of benefits – including better sleep – by getting daily moderate exercise. If you cannot adjust your workout time, try lowering the intensity level.

Caffeine
Most people won't drink caffeinated coffee at night because they realize that caffeine can keep them awake. But coffee is not the only beverage containing caffeine. Soda, tea and some energy drinks also contain this stimulant therefore, all should be avoided in the afternoon and evening. Chocolate also has caffeine so eating chocolate cake, ice cream or pie for dessert can produce the same type of sleep issues.

The way that caffeine affects individuals varies so there is no general rule about its consumption that applies to everyone. If you think caffeine might be impacting your sleep, eliminate all caffeine in the afternoon and evening for a few days and note any differences in your sleep.

Alcohol/Nicotine
One misconception about alcohol is that it helps you sleep. Alcohol can bring sleep on faster, but it may cause you to wake more often during your sleep period. Nicotine withdrawals occur while you sleep so the need to light up may cause you to wake more frequently.

As with caffeine, stop consuming alcoholic beverages at night for a few days and see if you feel more refreshed in the morning. And kick the nicotine habit once and for all for better sleep and better health!

Food and drink
Some foods, especially those that can cause heartburn, can negatively affect your sleep. Tomato-based foods/beverages and spicy foods are the biggest instigators of heartburn. Heartburn, which intensifies when you lie down, causes much discomfort during sleep and that discomfort can cause you to wake often during sleep. Drinking a lot of liquids, caffeinated, alcoholic or otherwise, will cause you to wake frequently too because you'll have to urinate more.

Napping
You may love to nap, but napping might cause sleep disruptions by disrupting the workings of your inner clock or by causing you to need fewer hours of sleep during the night. Nap only briefly, no longer than 30 minutes or eliminate napping entirely and see if doing so enhances your sleep time.