Like the oldies say, A Healthy Mind resides in A Healthy Body… but we’re here to tell you it’s also about a healthy bed.
Insomniacs or sleepyheads, each of you are welcome here. When we say ‘Hygiene’, we’re not only talking about washing your hands (with hand wash unlike Bunty), taking showers, and brushing your teeth; it’s much more than that. Hygiene is any recommended “clean” practice used to maintain health in different areas of life, such as with sleep.
It may be tempting to scroll that one more reel or click on that next episode while you’re snuggled up in your bed, but do you know it’s actually affecting your health? Disappointing, we know. Yeah, your mom was right. You need to sleep better to live better. Don’t fight it.
How does it matter? Researchers suggest that poor sleep can have grave consequences, and mental health and physical well-being are not so isolated after all. So, it may be time for you to consider your sleep hygiene.
Signs of poor sleep hygiene
- You have a hard time falling asleep.
- You wake up frequently in the night and have trouble falling back asleep.
- Your professor keeps catching you snoozing in class.
- You feel more sad, angry, anxious, or snappier than usual.
If this is you, don’t fret; we will give some tips for you to travel to slumber land.
How to sleep well
- Have a Fixed Bedtime and Wake -Up Time: Don’t try to change it from 1 am to 10 pm. Make gradual changes that align with your body time.
- Create a relaxing nightly routine -(and it is not scrolling reels):Start preparing for sleep 30 mins before. Go offline. Take a warm bath. Meditate for a while. Read a less-brainy book.
- Make a nice sleep environment: Dim the lights. Make sure to have a comfortable bed, fresh sheets, and soft pillows.
- Stop compensating for lack of sleep with 10 coffee cups: Your body is not a car, and caffeine is not the fuel.
- Limit nap times: While that boring lecture might provide a good soundtrack for your snooze time, it can ruin your night sleep.
- Don’t let your foody self take over: Take small meals before bed (Eno is not your friend).
Romanticising Rest
In the era of constant burnout in today’s work culture, Good Sleep is your savior. While we can not really adjust to the demands of a capitalistic society, we can take care of ourselves.
After all is said and done, the key to getting a good sleep is to firstly understand its importance and work towards it. It is like any career deadline but slightly more important. Despite what the CEOs tell you, your body is not a tool. You deserve to have a healthy life outside your job.
Romanticising rest is the way to a healthier life. So when you go to sleep, you imagine yourself as a diva who’s got their life together and indulge in it. Spray that expensive perfume. Wear those comfy pajamas. Light that fancy candle. Set the scene. Play the part. Wake up refreshed and ready to slay.
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