Five Bad Habits That Could Be Affecting Your Sleep
Do you wake up every morning feeling rested and refreshed? If you’re like most people, the answer is probably “no”. In fact, according to the CDC, approximately one in three people in America don’t get enough sleep — but getting the right amount of sleep and getting quality sleep are two different things.
Do you find that even if you’re diligent about going to bed at the right time to allow yourself eight full hours of sleep that you still wake up feeling tired and groggy? Do you often sleep in on the weekends in the hopes that you’ll finally feel rested, only to find that you’re even more tired? If these scenarios sound familiar to you, it could be that your daily habits are having a negative on your sleep.
In today’s blog from your local mattress store America’s Mattress, we want to discuss some of the most common habits that are detrimental to a good night’s sleep. Keep reading, and if any of these sound familiar, you may want to consider making a few small changes to see how they affect you.
Bad Habit #1: Drinking Coffee or Soda Before Bed
The first bad habit on our list shouldn’t come as a surprise. Coffee and soda contain caffeine and most people drink them to wake up in the morning or to get a boost of energy when they’re drowsy in the afternoon. Unfortunately, caffeine can stick in your system well into the night and prevent you from getting the restful sleep you need. To prevent this from happening, try to avoid all forms of caffeine after lunch.
Bad Habit #2: Spending Too Much Time Watching TV or On Your Phone
If you took a poll and asked a bunch of people how they like to relax and unwind at the end of a typical day, you’d probably find that many like to watch TV, check their email, or browse social media. The one thing that all three of these have in common is blue light. The blue light that‘s emitted from electronic devices has been shown to delay the release of the sleep hormone melatonin and disrupt the sleep cycle.
One of the easiest ways to fall asleep faster and get quality sleep all throughout the night is to turn off all electronics at least an hour before bed. Instead, do something that will help you relax and prepare your mind and body for sleep. Instead, take a bath, drink a cup of warm herbal tea, or sit back and read a good book.
Bad Habit #3: Using Your Bedroom For Things Other Than Sleep
If you use your bedroom for watching TV, working, exercising, or other non-sleep related activities, your body is probably confused whenever you enter the room. That’s because your brain gets used to associating certain activities with certain rooms. If you want to experience consistent sleep that’s restful and restorative, you should reserve your bedroom for sleep only so it doesn’t remind you of all of the other things happening in your life.
Bad Habit #4: Taking Long Naps During the Day
More and more people are working from home than ever before — and while that doesn’t necessarily make your job any easier, for some people, it does allow them the freedom to take breaks or naps more often. An occasional 15-minute catnap can be helpful for some people, but napping any longer can disrupt your sleep cycle and make it difficult to get to sleep at night. If you’re feeling the urge to catch a few winks during the day, instead of taking a nap, try going for a brisk walk. The extra bit of exercise will not only help you wake up, it will help you sleep better at night.
Bad Habit #5: Not Making the Time To Find the Right Mattress
Do you toss and turn at night or wake up with aches and pains that you didn’t have the night before? If so, you’re not getting quality sleep and it might be attributed to your mattress. Poor quality sleep not only makes you feel groggy the next day, but it also affects your thinking and memory and puts you at risk of getting sick. That’s why investing in a quality mattress is so important. If you’re not sleeping well at night, or your mattress is more than eight years old, you might want to think about starting your search.
At America’s Mattress, we know that shopping for a new mattress can be overwhelming with so many options available — but we want to make the process of finding the perfect one as easy as possible. Make an investment in your health and wellness today by visiting an America’s Mattress local mattress store in Greeley or Fort Collins and ask to speak with a member of our friendly sales team.
Shop America’s Mattress For The Chance of a Better Night’s Sleep
Whether you’re looking for an innerspring, foam, or hybrid mattress — or you aren’t sure which type of mattress you prefer, you’ll find everything you’re looking for and knowledgeable staff to help you make your decision at America’s Mattress. We carry all of the top name brands like Beautyrest and Serta as well as our own line of America’s Mattress branded mattresses. Stop by our local mattress store or visit our website and be one step closer to a better night’s sleep!