Tips to Help You Sleep Better to Feel Better

This shop has been compensated by Collective Bias, Inc. and its advertiser. All opinions are mine alone and should not be taken as medical advice. #FindRestEasy #CollectiveBias

When Daylight Savings Time begins, everyone seems to go in to a frenzy over that hour of lost sleep.  But what about every other night of the year?

I, for one, used to be the kind of person who could do just about anything with very little sleep, but over the past year or two, I have found that I really need sleep in order to function.   This month the folks at Walgreens are emphasizing the importance of sleep, because let’s face it, the Better You Sleep, The Better You Feel!

As part of my new year’s resolutions, I’ve been adopting new habits to help myself get a good night’s sleep,  and today I’ll be sharing some steps that you can take to develop an effective night time routine so that you can get in bed earlier, fall asleep easier, and wake up feeling well rested.

First things first, it is important that you come up with and keep consistent bedtimes.  While it’s not always possible to go to bed at the exact time every night, it is helpful to give yourself a “curfew” and then plan to be in bed within 15 minutes of that time.

To maintain this consistent bedtime, you need consistent night time routines for your family.  This includes early dinner times, making sure your kids do their homework and have their baths early in the evening, and making sure that you get your chores and other activities done early.

And as you can consider your night time routine, you want to make sure that you prioritize and just do the chores that you feel you need to do. For example, after we eat dinner, I like to clean the kitchen and load the dishwasher.  I then start the dishwasher before we go to bed.  This is an important chore for me, because it gives me peace of mind knowing that the kitchen is clean, and I won’t have to wake up to a mess.

Whether you work from home or have fun playing games or using Facebook, it can be very hard to break yourself away from your computer and mobile devices.  You swear you’re just going to read a few emails or play a quick game, and before you know it, an hour or two hours has gone by!  This is why it is important to pick a “shut down” time for your computer and mobile devices, and this should preferably be at least 30 minutes before your bedtime.

You should also go unplugged and avoid using your mobile devices in bed.

 

It’s also important to sit down and plan out the next day.  Whether you keep a planner that has your entire day mapped out or just a simple to-do list, sitting down and writing out or reviewing your plans will help you to organize your thoughts and be ready for the next day.  This way, you can go to bed, and you won’t have to worry about all the things you have to do the next day.  It’s already planned out for you, and you can rest at ease!

Invest In Your Sleep

If your bed isn’t that comfortable, or you feel like there is too much on your bed, this needs to be sorted as soon as possible for a better quality of sleep. Investing in a high-quality mattress is going to be the best place to start. However, we know that this can be expensive, and if you can’t afford this right now then you need to look into a high-quality mattress topper. This will make your night of sleep more comfortable, helping you get the best rest possible.

We also recommend that you only sleep with one pillow, your duvet and perhaps a blanket if you are cold. Anything other than this just makes your bed extremely crowded, hindering your sleep.

Find ways to just relax!  Try taking a hot bath with essential oils like lavender and chamomile, or use an essential oil diffuser in your bedroom. As a migraine sufferer, I use a blend called head ease, and I find it very relaxing.  You can also meditate or play some some soft music or sleep inducing sounds. (I personally run a fan in our room, just for the soft noise.)

You should also avoid or at least reduce your caffeine intake and alcohol consumption.

Finally, you should take medications as needed.  As a headache sufferer, I always have medications on hand like Advil PM. When you have minor aches and pains, it helps you to get a healing night’s sleep.

And I also take Nexium 24HR for heartburn. You take one pill each morning for 14 days to treat frequent heartburn. (Use as directed. May take 1 to 4 days for full effect.)

Advil PM can be found in the pain reliever and sleep aid aisle at Walgreens.

And Nexium 24HR can be found in the antacid and laxative aisle.

Promotion! During the month of March, Walgreens is offering a special promotion where customers can earn 3,000 Balance Rewards points (a $3 value) when they purchase 2 of the following participating products: Emergen-Zzz**, Nexium 24HR, or Advil PM.

To take advantage of this great deal, visit your local Walgreens!

(**Emergen-Zzz is a natural sleep aid that comes in the form of a melatonin infused drink mix featured in delicious flavors such as Peach and Nighttime Berry.  These statement have not been evaluated by the food and drug administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease.)