Cleanliness is next to godliness. We’re all aware of the importance of maintaining good personal hygiene. But have you ever heard of sleep hygiene?
Having healthy sleep habits of one of the best things you can do for your body and your overall health. But what are good sleep habits exactly? It’s possible you’re doing things that are harmful to your sleep that you’re not even aware of!
This guide is going to delve into what constitutes good sleep hygiene, and the habits you can institute in your daily (or nightly) routine to make sure you’re getting enough good quality sleep. Read on for everything you need to know now.
Good Sleep Hygiene: A Guide
When it comes to sleep, it doesn’t only matter how much you get. The quality of the sleep you get is also important. The average adult needs between 7 and 9 hours of good quality sleep per night.
So, what is good quality sleep? There are different stages to your sleep cycle, and usually, you’ll go through multiple different stages each night.
Deep sleep or non-REM sleep is the stage of sleeping where your body rests and repairs itself. You want to be getting as much deep sleep as possible. If you wake up feeling well-rested and energized, and if you usually sleep all the way through the night, these are good signs you’re getting enough sleep.
Some things you can do to set yourself up for a good night’s sleep:
- Limit screen time before bed
- Keep your bedroom slightly colder, or invest in the best mattress for hot sleepers.
- Exercise at some point during the day
- Avoid foods that inhibit good sleep
Benefits of Getting a Good Night’s Sleep
There are many reasons we as humans need sleep. As previously stated, sleep is the time when our bodies and minds have a chance to rest. They need this rest to function properly.
If you don’t get enough sleep, some of the undesirable consequences can be becoming ill, gaining weight, moodiness, or depression. For more on some of the illnesses that lack of sleep can cause, click here.
On the flip side, there are a whole lot of benefits of getting the recommended amount of sleep. Your immune system will be stronger, you’ll be more fertile, your skin will look better, you’ll have a higher sex drive and you’ll enjoy an improved mood.
Getting enough sleep also lowers your risk of developing all sorts of diseases. You’ll decrease your chances of developing heart disease, diabetes, and many other unwanted conditions.
Get on Board With Good Sleep Habits
Having good sleep hygiene takes a little bit of effort, but it’s also something that’s super important. If you want to improve your mental health and your physical health, then you need to get serious about getting enough good quality sleep.
If you’re looking for more helpful, healthful hints, we’ve got plenty more. Check out the rest of our content now!
