How to Sleep Better

In many homes the bedroom has become the multi-purpose room. It's a place for watching television, reading, getting ready for work, catching up on work, or even arguing with your spouse. In many cases the only thing not happening in the bedroom is sleep. Here are some simple steps you can take to sleep easier at night.

Create a Calming Space
Get the television out of the bedroom. You may think that it helps you fall asleep, but it doesn't. All that stimulus right before you fall asleep can make your sleep restless. Your bedroom should be a quiet relaxing space. If you have trouble falling asleep because you can't shut your brain off, try reading a book. All the flashing lights from the tv will overstimulate your brain.

Move the Computer
Your bedroom is not an office. Move the computer somewhere else. Just having it in the room can make it difficult for you to stop thinking about work or all the other things you have to get finished. Also, having it in the bedroom makes it too tempting to try and finish up a quick project when you should be sleeping. Leave the bedroom for sleeping.

Get a New Mattress
Most mattresses wear out about every 10 years so if it's been longer than that since you bought one, you should start shopping around. Get a mattress that is firm enough to support your weight and keep your spine straight. When you are shopping you need to climb on the mattresses and roll around to see what feels right. It's sort of like buying a car, you need to test drive.

Wear Silk
Silk pajamas are not just a luxury, they are a necessity for those that are having trouble sleeping. The material is warm in the winter and cool in the summer. The best thing about silk is that it slides across other material so it won't get caught on your sheets as you roll over in the night.

Keep a Journal
Sometimes it is hard to shut down your mind at night. Especially women have a hard time quieting the internal conversations that constantly run through the mind. Keeping a journal allows you to express your thoughts and feelings about the day so you can calm your mind. Sometimes just getting it off your chest is enough.

Take Care of the Air
Dry air and allergens can make it hard to breath. Often the reason we are startled awake during the night is because we feel short of breath. Put some plants in your room to create more oxygen. Adding a humidifier can put moisture in the room and keep nasal passages clear.

Invest in a Good Pillow
Buying a $5 pillow at Walmart might be good for the budget, but bad for your sleep. Invest in a pillow that meets your individual needs. Tempur-Pedic pillows are a bit expensive, but worth every penny. There are different shapes for different types of sleepers and as an added bonus they are allergen-free.