How to sleep better - Tips for teenagers (and others)

Teenagers and sleep usually go hand in hand - I am not a teenager anymore but I can still remember how I could easily sleep until 12 o'clock during the day, just to get up, raid the fridge and go back to bed and fall asleep again (especially if you went out the previous night).

                         

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Unfortunately sleeping is not always such smooth sailing and teenagers can have problems sleeping too.  If you are too excited or stressed out about something it can play a role in your sleeping pattern.  

You wake up tired, get home in the afternoon, take a nap and then when evening comes you stay up in to the wee hours, just to be tired again the next day.  And so the vicious circle continues.

Here are some tips to ensure you get a good night's sleep

Leave being stagnant behind

       

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Just have a look at toddlers.  They rarely sit still and move around a lot during the day.  Most of them will sleep soundly at night.  Start being active.  Try and get in at least 60 minutes of physical exercise per day (you do not have to do it all at once).  

Your body will burn the energy and it will need to take a rest.

Do not practice too close to sleeping time, because this will first wake you up before it slows you down and let you fall asleep.

Alcohol and drugs will not make you sleepy

                                                      

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Many people think that using drugs or alcohol will relax them and make them sleep better.  This is not what is going to happen.  You will maybe start off by sleeping soundly but eventually you will wake up and your sleep will be disturbed.  These substances increase the chances of waking up a few times during the night.

Put away the technology

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If you cannot make your bedroom a techno free zone, then at least switch off all the computers and cellphones a half an hour before going to bed.  Being on your computer or cellphone keeps your brain active and the light also stimulates your brain and it will be difficult for you to calm down and fall asleep.

Get into a routine

                                                

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If you go to bed every night around the same time, your body will start to expect sleep and go into a relaxation mode.  You can unwind in different ways every night when you go to bed by reading or listening to music or spending time with your pet.  This will relax your brain and get your body ready for sleep.

Do not agonize about not falling asleep

           

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The more you are going to lie there thinking to yourself You better sleep, you are going to be tired tomorrow, the more you are going to be stressed out and the more your brain will be in overdrive and the less you will sleep.

Rather go into the motion of telling yourself that you will fall asleep and you will have a good night's rest.

Our bodies need to sleep in order to rejuvenate and build muscle and repair damaged cells and grow and sort out your hormones.  Try and relax and make yourself ready for some peaceful sleep.

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