Sleeping on a Cloud

The importance of a good night's sleep cannot be stressed enough. Not only for you to sleep better to be more prepared for the next day's activities, but for your overall well being too.

Your body requires rest to rejuvenate itself. If you don't believe me, just ask an insomniac. This article, however, will deal with the opposite of insomnia and provide some suggestions as to how you can sleep better.

On an annual basis, we change our clocks for daylight savings time by practicing the " spring ahead " method of advancing the time one hour.

Then, later in the year, we "fall back" to, in effect, recapture that hour. Have you ever noticed how your body reacts, not just to losing and gaining an hour sleep for one night, but how you may feel tired for days after?

This is actually a biological phenomenon. The hormone, melatonin, is produced by our body based on its exposure to natural light. More is secreted after dark, causing the brain to become tired. Although it's an involuntary action, there are things we can do to control its effect.

Take off your sunglasses for parts of the day and let the sun shine upon your face. Not only will this help you sleep, but it will cure another well-known ailment we all experience, " raccoon eyes ".

Let the sun shine in at your home or office too, by leaving the drapes or blinds open. At night, to reverse the effect, use light bulbs of a lower wattage. Not only will you sleep better, but you'll save energy too! Close those drapes and blinds in your bedroom before lying down to block any street lights or other external lighting to achieve ultimate darkness.The second tip involves not changing the clocks in your home, but regulating your body clock.

Try to maintain a regular schedule as much as possible as to the time you go to bed and the time you awake each morning. I know this is difficult on weekends for you party animals out there, but do the best you can.

Be careful when it comes to napping. I know it feels great to lay on that couch on a Saturday afternoon and it can be beneficial in terms of catching up. But don't make it a habit, as it will have an adverse effect on your sleep cycle.

There are several other factors that will aid you in your quest to sleep better. Things such as, striving for eight hours of sleep every night and eating correctly and exercising on a regular basis. You should also attempt to reduce any stress or anxiety from the events of the day. Counting sheep may have become a cliché, but there is something to be  said about clearing one's head.

An imperative component to sleeping better is the environment itself.

Sometimes there's not much you can do to quiet Fido's barking next door or the occasional siren racing down the boulevard. If these are issues for you, try to cover up the sounds with some soothing music or even by the hum of a fan. There are even, so called, dream machines manufactured specifically for this purpose, offering the sound of the ocean etc.

Keep the temperature in the bedroom at a comfortable level, preferably 63 to 68 degrees. However, the single most vital element in sleeping better, is the bed itself. Nothing we've suggested in this story will be of any benefit if the mattress you lie on is uncomfortable.

The mattress must be the proper size for your height and body type. You should be able to extend your arms and legs comfortably about the surface.  If you find yourself with aches and pains after sleeping, you should consider acquiring a new, firmer mattress that better suits your needs.

If it is over seven years of age, it's probably time for a replacement.  Choose between inner spring or latex foam.

In today's technology it is even possible to have two different levels of firmness on opposite sides of the mattress, presenting the best possible scenario for you and your bedmate.

I hope you have found this article useful in achieving what we are all ultimately after, a good night's sleep, sweet dreams!

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