Can’t Sleep? Get More Z’s with These 3 Tips

Sleep affects just about everything -- focus, attention span, mood, energy, physical health, and much more. Get better sleep with just a few small changes:

1. Do Not Disturb

Set your phone to “do not disturb” 30 minutes before you go to bed. Science shows that blue light can affect sleep cycle, so silencing notifications can help eliminate any temptation to look at your phone or respond to one last text. It will also prevent you from waking up to notification sounds if someone decides to text you late at night.

2. Think Happy Thoughts

One of the most common sleep-preventers is racing thoughts or worries. It’s natural to worry about the day ahead, but nothing is ever solved by thinking while lying in bed. Instead, try thinking of today’s highlight, something you’re looking forward to, or using a gratitude journal to gain perspective.

3. If You Can’t Sleep, Get Up

The more you toss and turn, the more aggravated you might become. If over 20 minutes have passed and you’re still staring at the ceiling, try getting out of bed and finding something quiet to do until you feel more tired. Turning on your phone or the TV might be tempting; but instead try reading a book, meditating, or drinking a glass of water to reset.