Things to Try When You Can’t Sleep

You may only like to sleep with the door closed at night to keep in the heat or feel more safe and secure. However, leaving the door open when you go to bed will help the air circulate around the room. A study published by Indoor Air found that after observing healthy adults for 5 nights, those who slept with the door open reported having a higher quality of sleep than those who chose to sleep with their bedroom door shut. If you are getting too hot during the night or even as you go to sleep, this small change might make a big difference.

Foods which are high in potassium improve your blood pressure and are crucial for good muscle health. Eating potassium-rich foods before bed such as bananas can help to relax your muscles as well as slow down your blood pressure, resulting in a calmer state of mind and body. Other foods that are high in potassium include yoghurt, orange juice and milk. So, eating some breakfast for dinner may just be the key to success when it comes to getting a good night’s rest.

Feng Shui is the ancient Chinese art of arranging your living quarters to maximise the flow of energy. Moving the furniture around in your bedroom will give the room a new lease of life and it may be the winning thing that gets you sleeping better. It may take a couple of attempts to get it right but it could be worth it in the end. Not only does the energy of a room make a difference in how you sleep, but the colour and design. Redecorating your bedroom and using different colours and textures can make a big difference to your mood and how you feel before and during sleep. Colour psychology suggests that blues are calming and cool whereas reds can be associated with strain and aggression.

Research has shown that spending more time outside each day can help improve your overall health as well as the quality of your sleep. Being exposed to nature, in particular the colour green, has been proven to have a positive effect on your overall well being as well as the duration of your sleep. Being outside can also allow you to be more in tune with your body’s natural sleep-wake cycle. This is because your body’s circadian rhythm works on a cycle that adjusts with sunrise and sunset.

A study examining the relationship between having a purpose in life and sleep quality concluded that maintaining a higher level of meaning in everyday life correlated with better sleep quality. If you haven’t found it already, discovering meaning and purpose in your life could be quite daunting and will most likely take some time. Take a look at the tips below which can help to give each day more structure and meaning.

• Create a daily routine 

  If you’re struggling to get up each day or timekeeping is an issue, creating a daily routine may help you feel more organised and in control of your day to day tasks.

• Set daily goals 

  Whether your goal is to listen to a podcast, walk 5000 steps or drink 2 litres of water, having goals to work towards each and every day will ensure your time has a purpose.

• Try new things 

  If you aren’t sure about your career or your hobbies, why not try out some new activities? Taking up a new hobby, attending workshops or trying out a new class may just give you the meaning you’ve been looking for.