You’re probably already well aware of how lack of sleep can hamper your weight loss efforts, and even make you gain weight. The good news is, you can kick your insomnia to the curb with a few healthy lifestyle changes, and get that good night’s sleep.
Your Daily Routine
Record your daily routine and discover how you spend your time in the evening before you go to bed. Do you take work home and continue working until you’re too tired? Do you leave the TV on all night? Do you read until you fall asleep with the light shining in your face?
Learn How to Relax
Take a hot soak in the Jacuzzi, bath tub or hot tub before you go to bed. Put your favorite scents in the water and enjoy listening to your favorite music or CD’S made for relaxation.
Treat yourself to a full body massage and have the tension removed from your muscles and clear your mind.
Nature’s Natural Sleep Aids
Drinking alcohol before you go to bed will prevent you from easing into a deep sleep. The majority of people wake up tired and feel like they haven’t slept at all, even though they have slept all night. Caffeinated beverages are stimulants and will inhibit the actions of the hormones that will make you feel sleepy.
Drinking herbal tea’s will help your muscles relax and relieve the tension and they taste good.
- Passion Fruit Tea works best when you drink it at least one hour before bedtime. You will reap the benefits of the Harmon alkaloids found in the flower, and then your nervous system will start to relax and make you feel tired.
- Chamomile Tea will relax your muscles, calm the nervous system and have the effect of a mild sedative.
Diet Is Important
You should never go to bed hungry and decide to eat the next morning. The hunger will awaken you out of a sound sleep. Eat snacks that are loaded with carbohydrates and proteins such as:
- Cheese and crackers
- Peanut butter on toast or crackers
- A small bowl of cereal and milk
- Glass of warm milk
- A small bowl of walnuts with sliced bananas’
Your brain converts the amino acids, energizes the serotonin, carbohydrates and protein levels in the foods that help induce sleep, and these are healthy snacks.
Exercise Is Spectacular
You will be alert during the day and ready for a good night’s sleep when it’s time to go to bed. You can establish an exercise routine for 20 minutes each day in the late afternoon or early evening.
Try taking a brisk walk twice around the block, a stretching routine or walking the dog will keep you active. Exercising late in the evening will leave your adrenaline rushing through your body and make it difficult to fall asleep.
When Is Your Bedtime?
- It’s wise to go to bed the same time every night, to let your body know it’s time to go to sleep.
- Shut down all of your electronic devices for the night.
- Make your bed and the temperature in the bedroom as comfortable as possible and eliminate all artificial light.
- If you work at night and sleep during the day, try wearing a sleep mask.
Speak to Your Physician About Your Insomnia
If you want to use a prescribed sleep aid, ask your doctor if it’s right for you. Keep in mind that most medications can be addictive. Try them for three nights to help your body establish a sleeping pattern.
Getting a good nights sleep by changing your lifestyle, will make you a happier and healthy person, and can even help you to lose weight.
