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What do you do to sleep better? Let's share our tips!

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avatar Margarita_k

Margarita_k

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17/05/2017 at 18:33

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avatar Margarita_k

Margarita_k

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Sleeping well is essential for our daily well-being. Inadequate or poor quality sleep affects our mood and lowers our energy level even if we are perfectly healthy. For people suffering with chronic conditions avoiding insomnia can be more difficult because of pain and other symptoms that can aggravate at night. That's why it is so important to follow some rules which will allow you to prepare yourself for the night and sleep better. Good news - it's not as hard as it may seem wink.png

1. Set a schedule.

That means going to sleep and waking up at the same time every day (yes, even weekends!). Try to avoid spending more time in bed than you need. Maintaining good light hygiene will help: Open the blinds or go outside as soon as you wake to get energized, and shut off all the lights (including electronics) when you go to sleep.

2. Eat well to sleep well.

The key to beating insomnia isn’t just in the bedroom—it’s also in your kitchen. Eat balanced meals throughout the day, and make breakfast your biggest. Digesting food requires energy, so if you eat a heavy meal late at night, your body will be hard at work digesting when it should be sleeping. Steer clear of greasy or fatty foods before bed as well, as they cause reflux which can wake you up during the night, says Sandra Fryhofer, MD, from the Council on Science and Public Health.

3. Cut the caffeine and alcohol

Caffeine can stay in your system for up to 7 hours, so if you have trouble sleeping, don’t drink it past noon. It can also increase nighttime urination.

Alcohol isn’t the answer, either. About 10-15% of chronic insomnia cases result from substance abuse, especially alcohol, according to the University of Maryland Medical Center. Excess alcohol tends to fragment sleep and cause you to wake every few hours, so limit yourself to one or two drinks with dinner.

4. Say yes to yoga.

Gentle yoga before sleep will put your mind and body to rest. You can even do these easy poses in bed:

- Short meditation: Sit cross-legged on your bed and lean back slightly onto your pillows. Rest your hands on your thighs, close your eyes and just breathe for a few minutes.

- Cross-legged bend: Still in this position, bend forward from your hips and stretch your arms out in front of you on the bed. Stay here for a few minutes.

- Reclining twist: Lie flat on your bed. Hug your right knee into your chest, then twist your leg across your body to the left while turning your head to the right. Lower your leg, and then do the same with your left leg.

5. Put down the iPad.

Cell phones, laptops, iPads, TVs—they all need to be switched off if you expect to get a good night’s sleep. All the way off. Light emitting devices stimulate and engage the mind, which is the opposite of what you want to be doing right before bed.

6. Embrace exercise.

Some say that exercising in the evening makes elusive sleep harder to find, but it really depends on the person. Find the time of day that exercise makes your body most happy, and stick with it. One study showed that having a regular exercise schedule helped insomniacs feel less depressed and more energized throughout the day.

7. Stay cool.

When your body temperature drops, you start to produce more melatonin, so keep your bedroom temperature between 65° and 75°F. Taking a hot shower or bath right before bed helps too, since the quick drop of temperature after you get out makes you feel sleepy.

8. Stop smoking

If you need another reason to quit, here’s one: Nicotine is a natural stimulant, so it keeps you from falling asleep. Even worse, withdrawal pangs may keep you awake at night. Studies show that smokers are four times more likely to feel not as well rested after a night's sleep than nonsmokers.

9. Use the bed only for sleeping.

Avoid use of the bed for watching TV, eating, working, or any other activities. If you do wish to use the bed for a bit of nighttime reading, read only pleasure books in bed.

Therapists often use "reconditioning" as part of a treatment plan for insomnia. With this method, people are "reconditioned" to associate the bed with sleep. If you find yourself unable to sleep at all, get out of bed and move to another room, so that you only associate the bed with sleep and not with wakefulness.

10. Create a restful sleeping environment

Your bedroom should be a peaceful place for rest and sleep. Temperature, lighting and noise should be controlled so that your bedroom environment helps you to fall (and stay) asleep.

If you have a pet that sleeps in the room with you, consider moving it somewhere else if it often disturbs you in the night.

Sources: forbes.com, medicinenet.com, prevention.com, nhs.uk

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How about you?

Do you experience problems sleeping? Which of these tips do you find most useful for you?

Do you have other ideas on how to sleep better?

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avatar mjteddy

mjteddy

22/05/2017 at 19:39

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avatar mjteddy

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Last activity on 18/05/2025 at 16:33

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If I tried to cross my legs as in yoga I would probably pop a knee out, I don't drink or smoke and I'm currently on the sick with depression, when I'm at work my sleeping time is dictated by my shift times, I don't have pets so most of these tips are irrelevant, but I'll look at some of the other ones

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Mjteddy


What do you do to sleep better? Let's share our tips! https://www.carenity.co.uk/forum/other-discussions/good-to-know/10-ways-to-sleep-better-1746 2017-05-22 19:39:23

avatar Jul14e

Jul14e

30/05/2017 at 20:39

avatar Jul14e

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Some of these tips are really helpful and some I already do. The temperature in the room is a major issue for me and I've just switched the duvets over to a very light 4.0 tog. I've also found that not remaining in bed when I can't sleep a massive help, even a few minutes out of the room. I've never smoked and drink rarely so I can't comment on that. Noise is a huge problem but as we live above a pub that's currently unavoidable as are going to sleep and waking up at the same times. 

Thank you for the article though. It's very interesting and inciteful. 

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Julie x


What do you do to sleep better? Let's share our tips! https://www.carenity.co.uk/forum/other-discussions/good-to-know/10-ways-to-sleep-better-1746 2017-05-30 20:39:33

avatar Margarita_k

Margarita_k

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31/05/2017 at 11:12

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avatar Margarita_k

Margarita_k

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Hi @Jul14e, @mjteddy

thanks a lot for your comments!

@mjteddy, there is much more to yoga then crossing legs :) There are a lot of very light and quite easy postures that help you stretch your arms, legs and back. In the beginning it can be hard to to the postures correctly as we don't yet have the good level of flexibility and balance, but step by step you will notice that you can do a lot more than you thought you were capable of wink.png

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Community Manager


What do you do to sleep better? Let's share our tips! https://www.carenity.co.uk/forum/other-discussions/good-to-know/10-ways-to-sleep-better-1746 2017-05-31 11:12:08

avatar Jontt44

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11/06/2017 at 02:35

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I am not allowed any exercise other than Passive walking up and down  corridor approximately 20' a couple of times once a week. All other Exercises including at heart rehabilitation was stopped first by Physiotherapist and followed up by Leading heart surgery Professor adding no swimming or Plane travel ect. As puts pressure on aneurysm. 

Further may I add I am lifetime total and none smoker also eat little fats. Perhaps once fortnight or less, weight is same when 28

I have my room totally dark including black out curtains. Diffuser lamp only, cool winter summer including a pad over pillow I keep in fridge during day. Minimal or no clothing and just 3.5 tog duvet or less.  

I did have two pads but a friend borrowed and liked so much kept it

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Terencjtt


What do you do to sleep better? Let's share our tips! https://www.carenity.co.uk/forum/other-discussions/good-to-know/10-ways-to-sleep-better-1746 2017-06-11 02:35:52

avatar JazzyC

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20/06/2017 at 01:18

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avatar JazzyC

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Sleeping is a major issue with me , I don't smoke ,drink rarely , cut the caffeine right back , keep the bedroom as cool as possible , try to keep to a routine etc. but still don't sleep well . I have a laser machine to help my breathing which has helped , I can now sleep 3 to 4 hours at a time instead of just 1 or 2 Article was useful though 

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Janet Collins


What do you do to sleep better? Let's share our tips! https://www.carenity.co.uk/forum/other-discussions/good-to-know/10-ways-to-sleep-better-1746 2017-06-20 01:18:12

avatar lesmal

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01/02/2018 at 15:33

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Thank you for the tips regarding sleeping... I follow most of them! 

Since being hypothyroid also, my sleep pattern has definitely changed. I don't smoke or drink, and drink herbal tea most of the time, apart from the odd cup of coffee. 

Stress and hormones has another effect on one's sleeping pattern; I usually get up and make tea when I can't sleep! 

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Les


What do you do to sleep better? Let's share our tips! https://www.carenity.co.uk/forum/other-discussions/good-to-know/10-ways-to-sleep-better-1746 2018-02-01 15:33:04

avatar BrianM

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17/03/2018 at 06:54

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avatar BrianM

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For some years now I go to bed very late at night ; I am retired and aged 74 and I like to play games like mafia wars etc on the computor; Does it make any difference, as I seem to be a "night person"

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BrianM


What do you do to sleep better? Let's share our tips! https://www.carenity.co.uk/forum/other-discussions/good-to-know/10-ways-to-sleep-better-1746 2018-03-17 06:54:12

avatar Salsal

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17/03/2018 at 13:26

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After my first yoga session I slept like a log for the first time in ages.

its done wonders for my posture and pain- I can actually cross my legs for the first time every- even as a child I couldn't. Not saying it's comfortable but I'm thrilled to be able to do it.

find a good 1:1 yoga teacher- before joining a class. There is yoga to suit all disabilities.

 


What do you do to sleep better? Let's share our tips! https://www.carenity.co.uk/forum/other-discussions/good-to-know/10-ways-to-sleep-better-1746 2018-03-17 13:26:48

avatar Courtney_J

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30/07/2021 at 15:12

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Hello everyone,

How are you doign? Have you seen this older discussion? emoticon cute

Do you ever have trouble sleeping? What do you do to sleep better? Have you tried a specific ritual, ritual, or even a supplement to help you sleep better?

Feel free to share any tips you have with us here!

Take care,
Courtney

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Courtney_J, Community Manager, Carenity UK


What do you do to sleep better? Let's share our tips! https://www.carenity.co.uk/forum/other-discussions/good-to-know/10-ways-to-sleep-better-1746 2021-07-30 15:12:19

avatar lacemaker

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31/07/2021 at 12:22

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i follow most of the tips but still sleep badly. i haven't had an alcoholic drink for about a year, just gone off the taste as has hubby. i sleep very badly . couldn't do the yoga legs thing as have lyphoedema. bedroom is only used to sleep in and get dressed in. i drink fruit teas all the time with one decaf tea first thing in the morning. Ipad stays downstairs and mobile turned off. I have bought a sleep mask which plays water sounds. it lasts for an hour but i can still be awake after that hour. i take the mask off if still awake but often put it back on as it gets light in the room in the morning as it really does keep the light out. 


What do you do to sleep better? Let's share our tips! https://www.carenity.co.uk/forum/other-discussions/good-to-know/10-ways-to-sleep-better-1746 2021-07-31 12:22:12
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