5 Tips for Sleeping Soundly

Sometimes our favorite part of the day is turning in for the night. Falling asleep after a long day of work and play should be one of the easiest things in the world, but it can be so difficult to shut off our racing minds after they’ve been operating on high-speed for so many hours. It may seem a bit counterintuitive for falling asleep at night to take even more work, but there are simple steps you can take to make drifting off to dreamland take a bit less time.

Practice Bedtime Yoga

Image: Health Beckon

Active yogis likely already know that certain poses benefit our bodies in different ways. These gentle, relaxing poses help to restore circulation to every part of the body, and concentrating on deep breathing helps you relax your mind and release the tension in your muscles. Grab your Brentwood Home pillow for extra support and elevation when the pose calls for it. The best part of this tip? All of these poses can be done from the comfort of your mattress. Get posing, and then get snoozing!

Invest in a High Quality Mattress and Bedding

We’re asleep for about one third of our lives. Doesn’t it make sense to invest in a mattress and bedding that best suit the way you rest? We know that back and stomach sleepers sleep better with a firmer mattress and that side sleepers need extra cushioning to avoid pain and pressure in their hips and shoulders. Because one mattress doesn’t fit all, we’re a pretty big fan of options. Finding the mattress that’s best for your sleep style is imperative to a great night and a better morning.

Try a Therapeutic Tea

Image: Crane & Canopy

Avoid sugary and caffeinated snacks in the evening, and then try sipping on some chamomile tea at bedtime. Having a hot drink is soothing in general, and this herb has been used as a natural treatment for insomnia and anxiety since old times.

If you’re feeling more ambitious, try mixing up this recipe for sleepy time tea. This one has it all: peppermint for a calming aroma and stomach-soothing properties, lavender to aid digestion and relieve stress, and valerian root known for its sedative properties. If you’re looking to sweeten things up, try some natural honey from one of our favorite California brands.

Unplug

Sometimes it feels like our entire lives depend on constantly checking in online. That little FOMO (fear of missing out) bug can keep us plugged in much more often than is good for us.

Spending time on our devices late at night can actually affect sleep quality and our performance the following day. It turns out that the artificial light from these glowing screens can reduce our levels of melatonin, the chemical that helps control our sleep and wake cycles. Avoid aimless scrolling through social media as you’re getting ready to turn in for the night. The sooner you do, the sooner you’ll be fast asleep.

Download Sleep-Savvy Apps

Image: Sleep Genius

Okay, we promise we’re not contradicting ourselves. Most professionals will advise you to steer clear of glowing iPhone screens for an hour or so leading up to bedtime. However, your device can help you get better sleep from the safe distance of your bedside table. Check out these 5 apps geared towards helping you get deeper and more consistent sleep. Whether you want to be lulled to rest by soft, peaceful music or you want to use your phone’s motion sensors to track your sleep habits and patterns, there’s a techie solution waiting for you in the App Store.