Lack of sleep is often a habit - and like most habits it can be remarkably persistent unless you take active steps to change it.
There are two main areas you can address to improve your sleep health - your actual sleeping habits, and your diet. We'll look at each in turn.
Sleeping habits:
Many times people fail to create the right environment for good sleep. If your sleep is insufficient or disturbed, look at these areas and see where you can make changes.
- Make sure your bed is comfortable. It may sound obvious, but many people put up with an uncomfortable bed or pillow for years without doing anything about it.
- Ensure your bedroom is quiet, dark, and well-ventilated.
- Listen to your body - go to bed when you're tired, not at "the usual time".
- Relax before bed - stretch, chill out, read a book - and avoid anything likely to make you anxious or stressed.
- Add an hour of extra sleep per night for two weeks and monitor changes in your performance.
