Category Archives for Integrative Healthcare

Sleep Improvement Quick Tip #7: Bedrooms should be for sleeping and sex, period!

As a health psychologist, I know that our brains excel at making associations between things.  As a person with common sense, I know that people tend to really like sleeping and having sex.  One of the problems of chronic sleep issues is that the bedroom becomes associated with lots of different activities: watching TV, checking FaceBook, working on a laptop, or laying awake wishing you could sleep.

Clean the slate!  Move the TV out of the bedroom and move all non-sleeping or sexing (is that even a word?) activities to other rooms or, if you’re tight on space, at least not on the bed.  When getting into bed is only associated with sleepy time (or sexy time), it helps our minds relax and our brains send signals that it’s time to fall asleep.

Sleep Improvement Quick Tip #9: No naps! Or at least keep them short and early.

In order for us to fall asleep, we all need to accrue a “sleep debt,” which lets us feel tired and ready for bed.  Napping cuts into that sleep debt and leads to difficulties falling asleep, or sleeping in increasingly disjointed chunks.  To keep your sleep schedule more regular, and your sleep more restful, it’s better to avoid napping at all and instead let yourself be a little more tired going into the evening.  Worst case, if you simply must take a nap, try to keep it brief and before the early evening.  A better alternative might be taking a brief walk outside, doing some stretching, or spending a few minutes on an enjoyable task (like playing a game) before returning to your to-do list.

Sleep Improvement Quick Tip #6: No late-night meals or snacking in bed.

We’re all familiar with the dozy satisfaction of having just eaten a nice (or large) meal.  Unfortunately, while digestion does make us feel more tired, it will actually make it harder for you to fall or stay asleep.  Want to make sure you don’t sleep well?  Eat a nice big meal right before bed.  For better sleep, make sure that you finish your last meal at least a couple hours before bedtime and avoid snacking in bed.  If you can’t sleep at night and decide to get out of bed for a while to get a snack, make sure it’s something that is low in sugar and easy for you to digest.  No spicy Indian leftovers!

Sleep Improvement Quick Tip #10: Turn your bedroom into sleep heaven!

We spend a third of our lives asleep, and yet so many of us pay very little attention to the room (and furniture) we spend this time in!  A comfortable and supportive mattress and pillow goes a long way.  If you have the money, a great bed is a wise investment in your overall health.  Make sure your bedroom can be made nice and dark, and if you’re a clock watcher, then make sure you can’t see the clock from your pillow. I’ve previously discussed the importance (in Sleep Tip #8) of keeping your TV and computer(s) out of the bedroom and using the bed (or entire bedroom ideally) for only sleeping and sex.  Finally, make sure the temperature feels comfortable or you, but err on the side of cooler versus warmer, as experts find that cooler bedrooms tend to help people sleep better.  With just a little work, your bedroom can be transformed from a multi-function all-purpose room into a pleasure palace of great sleep!