Is better sleep within reach?
I have a love/hate relationship with sleep. Stress, hormonal imbalances and unhealthy diet choices can conspire to rob me of the rest I need. And it’s getting worse as I age. Got the same problem?
The good news is that getting a good night’s sleep isn’t rocket science and there are things you can do today to help you sleep better tonight.
Stress
It’s no big secret that basking in the glow of your alarm clock all night can lead to a full-blown wigout the next day. But what’s not so clear is which comes first. Are we stressed because our sleep-deprived brains can’t function or is sleep eluding us because of daily stress?
Schedule ½ hour worry-time before bed. List your stressors and then tell them to get lost. You’ve done all you can for one day and deserve the rest. Each time they try to push their way through, visualize yourself pushing back and shutting the door.
Hormonal imbalances
During pregnancy through to pre-menopause and beyond, hormones are regularly irregular. Like freak tornadoes, some shifts can feel cathartic while others feel like a jolt of electricity.
If you’re struggling with an extreme biochemical makeover when you should be sleeping, it’s time to talk to someone who can help you work through the situation.
Feed your brain
You might be watching your waistline with an eagle eye, but what you put on your fork can directly affect how well you sleep. If you’re not sleeping well, your brain may be starved for complex carbohydrates, protein and valuable nutrients.
Stack the odds in your favor tonight. Eat breakfast within an hour of getting up, enjoy lunch 4-5 hours later and dinner 4-5 hours after that. If you’re hungry in the evening feed your brain a healthy snack. In other words, save the nachos washed down with a glass of wine for a treat.
Take a closer look at your mattress
Not all mattresses are created equal and yours may be disrupting your sleep. Latex mattresses buffer pressure points and don’t transfer motion from one partner to another. Wool, a key ingredient in all of our mattresses, wicks away moisture and allows your body to control its own temperature.
If your mattress is older than 7 years or you wake up stiff and achy, it’s time for a mattress intervention. No one should have to suffer though sleep deprivation – especially if the answer is as simple as a new mattress, topper or pillow.
Use our dealer locator to find a Natura Dealer.
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