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How Do I Improve Sleep Quality?
By
healthyties
December 1, 2022 - 2:08am
Naheed Ali, MD, PhD
Sleep quality is a crucial factor when it comes to your overall health. Quality sleep helps you feel more rested, improves your memory and concentration, and even lowers the risk of heart disease. However, many individuals struggle to get enough sleep at night. Sleep is an essential aspect of our lives. It’s when our body and mind get to rest and rejuvenate, but a lot of people never get enough sleep.
Find out how you can sleep better by making small changes to your lifestyle. In this article, we'll help you find ways to improve your sleep quality. We'll start by looking at a few common problems people face when it comes to getting a good night's sleep and then go over some tidbits you can use to rest better.
What Causes Poor Sleep Quality?
Poor sleep quality can be caused by many different factors. Some of the most common causes include:
1. Stress and anxiety
2. Unhealthy diet
3. Lack of exercise
4. Sleep disorders such as insomnia or sleep apnea
5. Medications that cause drowsiness (such as antidepressants)
6. Alcohol and caffeine consumption before bedtime
Tips for Improving Sleep Quality
Tip #1: Get Enough Sleep
The amount of time you spend asleep is vital because it helps your brain and body rest and repair themselves. During sleep, your body releases hormones that help repair cells and promote healing. This is why people who lack sleep tend to be more vulnerable to illness and disease.
According to the American Academy of Sleep Medicine and the Sleep Research Society, the recommended amount of sleep varies based on age and circumstances. However, most adults need seven or more hours per night. If you're having trouble falling or staying asleep at night, try keeping a journal of what time you go to bed each night and how much time passes before you fall asleep (it can take up to 20 minutes for some). Once you know how long it takes for you to commence your slumber, try going to bed 10 minutes earlier than usual for a week before increasing by another 10 minutes if needed.
Tip #2: Exercise
Exercise is one of the best ways to enhance your sleep quality. Not only does it help you get more restful sleep, but it also gives you a chance to relax and reduce stress. The Sleep Foundation recommends at least 150 minutes of moderate-intensity exercise per week—but that doesn't mean you have to do it all in one shot. You can break up your workout into smaller chunks throughout the week if that works better for your schedule. The key is consistency: try to do some daily activity, even if it's just walking around your neighborhood or jumping jacks in front of the TV while watching your favorite show!
Tip #3: Consider Dietary Changes
The food you eat can have a significant impact on your quality of sleep. Sleep experts often recommend eating a light, carbohydrate-rich meal within two hours of going to bed. Eating too late in the evening or not at all can disturb your circadian rhythm and make it difficult for you to sleep better at night.
In addition, consuming foods high in tryptophan can help promote sleep, but only slightly. Tryptophan is an amino acid that is converted into serotonin, which helps regulate sleep patterns by promoting relaxation. Examples of tryptophan-rich foods include bananas, milk, and cheese. Finally, avoid caffeinated drinks before bedtime because caffeine stimulates the central nervous system and can lead the way to insomnia when consumed too close to bedtime.
Tip #4: Develop a Healthy Bedtime Routine
While many variables are at play with sleep, one of the most important components is having a sleep routine. Going to bed and waking up on the same schedule is integral to establishing good sleep habits, even if it can be challenging. Since your body regulates its internal clock 24 hours a day, try to keep this in mind when falling asleep. Find what helps you fall asleep faster—whether reading a book or scrolling through social media—and do that before bed to get into the routine of winding down. Finally, try going to bed earlier!
Tip #5: Monitor Your Stress Level
Monitoring your stress level is a savvy way to boost sleep quality. Stress can affect your ability to fall asleep, the quality of your sleep, and how well you feel when you wake up. The importance of getting enough sleep can't be overstated; research has shown that a lack of sleep can also lead to a number of serious health issues, including diabetes. If you want to improve your sleep quality, you must take steps to monitor and manage your stress levels.
The Wrap-Up
Combined with a sleep environment conducive to maximum focus and relaxation, they can make a difference in creating an ideal place to rest your head at night. It's possible that these tips won't completely disentangle your sleeping problems, but they're definitely worth trying. And who knows? After enough persistence and commitment, you might wake up refreshed and rejuvenated every morning.
About the Author
Dr. Ali is a medical journalist and copywriter for hire at HealthcarePropulsion.com.
References
Hartescu I, Morgan K, Stevinson CD. Increased physical activity improves sleep and mood outcomes in inactive people with insomnia: a randomized controlled trial. J Sleep Res. 2015;24(5):526-534.