3 Nightly Routines That Could Be Ruining Your Sleep
If you're like many people, you probably have certain things that you do each night before you go to bed. If you have been having trouble sleeping, however, it might be time to take another look at your nightly routine. Surprisingly, many of the things that people do before they go to bed can actually make it harder for you to sleep, so it might be time to change your schedule around. These are a few common nightly routines that could be ruining your sleep.
1. Having a Glass of Wine
They call having a final glass of wine -- or a beer or cocktail -- a "nightcap," but that doesn't mean that it's a good idea to have a drink before you go to bed. Many people think that having a glass or two of their favorite alcoholic beverage can actually help them sleep better, but this simply isn't the truth for most people. Alcohol can actually have negative effects on sleep, such as affecting how much time you are asleep, ruining your quality of sleep and making any pre-existing sleep disorders worse. This means that you should actually avoid your nightcap on most evenings. Instead, consider having a soothing cup of tea.
2. Catching Up on Social Media
You might like to catch up with your loved ones on social media -- either on your phone or on your computer -- before you go to bed, but nighttime just isn't the best time to get on your favorite devices. Even though 95 percent of people use electronics in the hour before they go to bed, doing so can be detrimental to sleep. This means that you should probably try to check in on social media after dinner instead of right before you hit the hay.
3. Watching TV in Bed
Many people love to fall asleep in front of the television, and there's a good chance that you enjoy watching TV in bed each night before you go to bed. Having a TV in your bedroom can cause you to stay up much later, however, and it can also affect your sleep patterns. This means that you should keep the television in the living room and consider reading a book before you fall asleep instead.
If you aren't getting enough sleep, now is the time to start looking at your nightly routines. These are a few common things that you might want to change so that you can enjoy better sleep -- and better health. If you have specific questions about your sleep habits or are worried you might have a sleep disorder, make an appointment with a doctor at a place like Billings Clinic.