In our busy lives we try to accomplish as much as possible and, for many of us, sleep simply gets in the way. Unfortunately, a lack of sleep affects our job performance and overall health. Similar to the people who say they don’t have time to work out, or time to have dinner with friends, etc., there is always time to do these activities if you make them a priority. The same goes for sleep.
Consider sleep to be the last task on your to-do list and, if you really make an effort to sleep, you’re likely to get more of it. How do I know? An article titled, Prioritizing Sleep Helps You Get More of It, on The Huffington Post, reported on a survey of more than 1,000 adults in the United States. In this survey, participants reported getting 36 more minutes of sleep per night if they were either very or extremely motivated.
However, no matter how determined someone might be to sleep, they could be inadvertently sabotaging their own efforts. In the article, here are some strategies for a nightly regimen before bedtime:
- Stop drinking caffeinated beverages six hours before bed
- Stop drinking alcohol three hours before bed
- Finish eating two to three hours before bed
- Finish exercising two hours before bed
- Turn off electronics and stop working, studying, and stressing at least one hour before bed
While some things simply can’t be avoided and it’s necessary to put off falling asleep, by sticking to a routine you’re bound to get more sleep. This, in turn, will help you be more productive at work, give you a more positive attitude, and improve your well-being. Nighty-night!