How to get a good night’s sleep

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MANILA, Philippines – With our days booked with seemingly endless tasks, meetings, deadlines, binge-watching sessions, and other commitments one after the other, a restful night of sleep seems more like a luxury than an actual need.  

But the thing is, we know sleep is very important. It’s one of the facts of life, really. Despite this, many of us still end up depriving ourselves of sleep, willingly or not.

In doing so, we rob ourselves of benefits such as having clearer skin, sharper memory, healthier weight, creativity, lowered stress levels, improved well-being, and more. 

So when a full day of work has you feeling weary and drained, the least you can do for yourself is to sleep well at night. Here are some tips to help you doze off peacefully: 

Fill your room with the scent of lavender 

According to studies and to avid fans of the scent, lavender calms frazzled nerves and helps people sleep more soundly at night. There are tons of lavender-infused items in the market to choose from, from bath and body products to room and linen sprays.

Switch to a memory foam pillow or mattress

Unlike regular foam, memory foam reacts to pressure and heat, and adapts to the contours of the sleeper’s body. Since it does not put pressure on the muscles and joints, sleep becomes more relaxing and comfortable.

Put white noise on

Because it’s monotonous, white noise helps drown out loud noises in the environment that can potentially disrupt sleep. No worries – despite its name, white noise won’t keep you from falling asleep!

Wear a pair of earplugs

If you’re the type to wake up at the slightest noise, putting on a pair of earplugs might help you get uninterrupted sleep better.

Sleep under a weighted blanket

If you suffer from anxiety or insomnia, you might want to consider switching your regular blanket to a weighted blanket. As its name implies, it’s a bit heavy and works by pressing your body downwards to give a calming effect, and reduce chronic stress and high levels of anxiety, among other things.

Cover your windows with blackout curtains

Does the light from that pesky lamppost outside your window or the sunrise prevent you from getting your full 8-hour sleep? Cover your windows with blackout curtains, which prevents light from seeping through. 

Use an eye mask 

Alternatively, you can get an eye mask. Make sure to get one that’s breathable and has contoured cups so it won’t put pressure on your eyes.

Wear light and comfy sleepwear

Since we live in a tropical country, a pair of jammies that’s thin and breathable is one of your best bets for sleepwear. Opt for a set with short-sleeved top and a pair of shorts instead of pants for bottoms for extra comfort. – Rappler.com