Eat, Sleep, Sun, Repeat

Sarah DiGuilio from the Huffington Post believes that we should be walking on sunshine in the mornings. She says, “one of the best things you can do for sleep: get into the sunlight first thing in the morning.” This is true for many reasons:

1. Sunlight increases your Vitamin D intake, which helps the body to absorb calcium for strong bones and teeth.
2. This dose of Vitamin D also leads to higher serotonin levels, which in turn can boost your mood and help you to start your day on a very positive note!
3. Exposure to light can reset your circadian rhythm for the next 24 hours; to tell your body to be awake in the morning, and asleep at night time. This means you should feel energetic and invigorated all day, while relaxed at night (Seems like common sense, but we all know our bodies can have a mind of their own when it comes to actually falling asleep!)

Other than a daily sun hit, there are many other methods we can incorporate into our daily routine to improve our ability to fall asleep at night. Did you know that our daytime activities have a strong impact on our sleeping patterns?

Even if you already have a comfortable and supportive mattress at home, there are other factors that can hinder your ability to rest and recuperate properly. Here are some daytime activities to AVOID at all costs if you want a superior slumber:

• Dodging the sun. Doctors recommend adults get 15-20 minutes of direct sunlight per day (any longer puts you at risk of skin damage). For those who work long hours, this is why we recommend an early morning dose of sunshine, perhaps paired with a brisk walk.
• Drinking sugary or caffeinated drinks past midday. This includes coffee, soda and energy drinks. Wind down slowly in the afternoons with a healthy alternative, such as herbal tea or lemon water.
• Smoking. Much like caffeine, nicotine is a stimulant and it will keep you awake when you’re supposed to be snoozing! Smoking can alter your body’s internal clock and in turn, disrupt your daily routine.
• Spending too much time looking at screens. We are probably all guilty of this, but many of us don’t know it could be affecting our sleep; not just before bed, but all day long! Whether it be your smartphone, tablet, television or laptop; pick up a book instead. It will help your mind to wind down, while ensuring your eyes are not strained by artificial light.
• Eating or working in your bed. Your bed – your whole bedroom for that matter – should be a sanctuary that you associate with a place of rest and relaxation. Eating and working will only disrupt the calm vibe in your room – keep these activities separate and make going to bed a calming, soothing part of your routine.
• Oversleeping. There is such a thing as getting too many Z’s! We all love to sleep in on the weekends, but you’ll find that your body naturally wakes up at a routine time (if you have one!). Disrupting this for two days over the weekend can cause fatigue and Monday-itis!
• Hitting the snooze button. When you hit snooze, you are essentially starting a new sleep cycle that can only last 10 minutes. This disrupts your body’s internal clock and can cause confusion to your body. The back and forth between sleeping and waking in quick succession can even make some people feel ill – not a good way to start the morning!

Take some advice from these simple tips and try to incorporate a little bit of sunshine into your mornings – you’ll be sleeping healthy in no time! If you’re finding you need a little extra push towards the optimum sleep, consider a new bed altogether! The sleep experts at Sleepy’s will listen to your needs and preferences to match you with a mattress that is personally selected for you.

Ask in store today about how we can match you with the perfect mattress.

Sleep Healthy!