Getting the most from the time that you sleep is not difficult. There are a few tricks to optimising your sleep cycle that are very easy to implement and will help you to feel much more refreshed when you awaken. If you typically have difficulty falling asleep or you simply want to ensure that you feel well-rested each morning, there are a couple of things that you can do:
Reduce Your Required Sleeping Hours
You can actually train your body to require less sleep. For those who cannot get the normally required eight hours each night, retraining yourself to require less sleep will help you to make the most of the sleep that you do get.
If you normally only have time to sleep six hours each night, you should take a week or so and reduce your sleep time by thirty minute increments until you reach the number of hours that you have available for sleep. Over time, this will train your body to require less sleep and leave you much more refreshed each morning when you are only getting those six hours each night.
Skip the Caffeine
Drinking caffeine at night can cause you to take longer to fall asleep and it can interrupt your sleep cycle. If you drink caffeine within an hour or so of falling asleep, you will waken groggier and less able to get started with your day. It is much better to stop drinking caffeine at least six hours before you retire for the night so that your body is ready to fall asleep. Caffeine is much better in the morning to around noon and this gives your body plenty of time to flush the caffeine out of your system so that you are able to fall asleep easier and stay asleep longer.
Learn the Joys of Napping
Napping is not just for babies and toddlers. Studies have actually shown that napping can help you to sleep better at night. Not only does it help your body to feel refreshed and rejuvenated, it will improve the quality of the sleep that you get at night.
Taking just a fifteen minute power nap throughout the day will help you to fall asleep much easier at night and be better rested when you awaken in the morning. Naps offer a number of other health benefits as well.
This article was provided by The Odd Mattress Company. Visit them for a wide selection of mattresses and other sleep accessories.