New Year's Resolution: Get Better Sleep

Happy New Year! Now that we've bid adieu to 2020, it's time to focus on your resolutions for 2021. January is the perfect time to make a fresh start on some of your longstanding goals. According to GoSkills.com, some of the most common New Year's resolutions include exercising more often, losing weight, getting organized, and learning a new skill or hobby. While these are all worthwhile goals, they're also a bit unoriginal. Who hasn't tried to commit to a new workout regimen on January 1st? This year, why not vow to improve your sleeping habits? Most people aren't getting enough high-quality sleep each night, which can affect their energy, their stress levels, and even their happiness. Use the tips below to get better sleep in 2021.

You've probably heard that adults need about eight hours of sleep each night. While this is a solid guideline, don't get too hung up on the exact number. Some people need nine hours of sleep to not feel groggy in the morning, while others function well with only six hours of sleep. Instead, think about how you can optimize your sleep schedule and improve the quality of your sleep to ensure you feel well rested and ready to take on each day.

How to Get Better Sleep in 2021

Commit to a sleep schedule.

In some situations, consistent sleep is downright impossible. People with irregular work hours, young children, or certain medical conditions can attest to this fact. However, if you're able to stick to a regular sleep schedule, do so. By maintaining the human body's internal clock in this way, you can fall asleep and wake up more easily. Even on weekends, try to stick to your sleep schedule.

Move your body.

If you don't already have a solid exercise routine, you might want to make that one of your New Year's resolutions as well. In addition to all the other health benefits exercise can provide, it can also help you sleep. Experts recommend working out in the morning, especially if you'll be exercising vigorously. If you're performing a gentler exercise, such as yoga, you may be able to exercise in the evening without disrupting your ability to fall asleep. No matter what your preferred method of exercise, try to move more to improve your sleep quality.

Watch what you eat and drink.

Sleep, exercise, and a nutritious diet all work together to improve your health. If you find it difficult to fall asleep, try to limit your intake of rich and spicy foods (which take longer to digest) and avoid caffeine in the second half of the day. In addition, limit your intake of alcohol. While alcohol can make you drowsy, it can also prevent you from getting the deep sleep your body craves. To better understand the relationship between sleep and alcohol, check out our blog post How Alcohol Affects Sleep.

Prep before bedtime.

If you're hoping to fall asleep easily after hopping into bed each night, you may need to readjust your expectations. People who struggle with sleep should begin prepping about an hour ahead of their desired bedtime, creating a calming pre-sleep routine. The following activities can help:

• Turn off all screens (phones, tablets, TVs, laptops, etc.) to limit brain stimulation and artificial light.
• Close the curtains and dim the lights.
• Avoid late-night snacks.
• Take a calming bath or read a book.

Assess your sleep environment.

If you want to get better sleep this year, take a moment to evaluate your current sleep environment. Do the curtains or blinds sufficiently block out the light? Are the sheets and pillows comfortable? Is the room too cold or too hot? Is the space too noisy or too quiet? Most finally, is your mattress comfortable? If your mattress doesn't suit your sleeping style or is past its prime, you may need to start shopping for a replacement.

To explore top-quality mattresses for the whole family, stop by Beautyrest Sleep Gallery. At our locations in Springfield and Branson, Missouri, we provide an extensive selection of top-quality mattresses, including Beautyrest®, Serta iComfort®, Tempur-Pedic®, and Scandinavian Sleep Systems. A family-owned and -operated business that supports local charities, Beautyrest Sleep Gallery offers free local delivery and setup as well as a Best Price Guarantee. Shopping for a new mattress can be overwhelming, but with our wide variety of mattresses and expert sales staff, we can put your worries to rest. To get started, please visit us in store or explore our mattress selection online.