over 25 years of experience helping people improve their lives and Nutri Sleep improve their sleep. She recently completed a sleep mini-fellowship at Duke University Center for Sleep Medicine.We all know that waking up early is good for us. We can exercise, study, work... simply have more life! But most people find it difficult to sleep well and wake up early and fresh. I think a lot of people feel crappy in the morning. Here are some tips and tricks I have learned over the years that help me sleep better and wake up fully recharged - most of the time:
1.Dinner time and type. If your digestion process goes on during sleep you will wake up tired. So what you eat for dinner and how much time you allow between dinner and bedtime is critical. If your dinner is light and simple, a couple of hours may be enough for digestion. But if you eat a heavy and complex meal, you shouldn't go to bed for at least four hours after dinner.
Avoid caffeine and chocolate. These have been shown to have the worst affect on the quality of sleep. Depending on your level of tolerance, stay away from these two 4 to 8 hours before bedtime.Exercise. A tiring workout or a swim is sure to result in a good sleep. But even moderate exercise like a brisk walk can significantly improve the quality of sleep.
Take a bath. A warm bath can often do wonders if you are having a problems with your sleep. Use a moisturizer to avoid dehydrated skin.Prepare to be comfortable. Try different levels of softness or hardness for the mattress and pillow to see what works best for you. Similarly, if it's too cold or too hot, you won't get a good quality of sleep. Also figure out what pajamas or lingerie are most comfortable for you, if you must wear something.