How to get more sleep

Many of us are suffering from lack of sleep. Whether we're not sleeping at all or only grabbing a few hours. Lets try and change that. Jump on board the sleep train, and but your body to the test. Plenty of rest keeps you healthy and alert.

Get started with these great tips.

1. Nap
Contrary to all the sleep sources that say to avoid napping during the day in order to sleep better at night, I believe it is actually a good idea to nap every day. But in order to make this work it is vital to stick to three rules:

• Nap regularly
• Keep it short, and
• Make it in the early afternoon

2. Make your room colder
Your body needs to cool down in order to fall asleep and stay asleep, so do what you can to make your room cool. The ideal sleeping temp is between 64 and 74 degrees. Find what works for you.

3. Exercise intensely, daily
Don’t just “exercise”, but do so intensely, to the point of feeling physical exhaustion. At the end of the day, this is probably the single best thing for helping induce deep, restorative sleep. For some "intensely" may mean running 5 miles, for others it may mean a brisk 20 minute walk that elevates the heart rate. Physical tiredness is absolutely essential to getting a good night’s sleep.

4. Get out in the sunlight soon after waking up in the morning

5. Don’t watch TV
Avoid watching TV (or looking at a computer screen) at least 30 minutes before you go to bed.

6.Find a bedtime ritual that works for you
IE. Shower and read a nice book before bed each night

7. Keep your room de-cluttered
Looking at a messy room before you fall asleep can keep you awake- maybe you'll want to get up and clean instead of sleep, or your worrying about all that you have to do the next day.

8. Avoid caffeine late in the day
It won't only keep your body moving, but it tends to be a diuretic (may make you need to get up for the bathroom frequently)


Have any tips that help YOU get to sleep? Share them with me, and I'll feature them here.
email me at: purrfectdsgn@yahoo.com
OR
Click on comments below and tell us your sleep secret

Thanks for reading
By: Cathie
orangehealth.blogspot.com

source: http://www.spine-health.com/blog/sleep-and-insomnia/11-unconventional-sleep-tips-how-get-sleep-and-stay-asleep 7/22/09