More tips for healthy sleep

 

As many people are still working from home and limiting their time outdoors, some suffer from erratic sleep patterns. Sleep medicine expert Lisa M. Cannon, M.D., shares more tips to help people get better sleep quality. 

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Don't associate the bedroom with sleeplessness

Sleep experts advise that the bed should be used only for rest and sex. If a person is unable to sleep for at least 20 minutes at the start of their bedtime, specialists like Lisa M. Cannon, M.D., suggest doing a relaxing activity in low light. Thinking about falling asleep might also cause anxiety, so it's best to try not to be conscious of the time but focus on feeling relaxed.

Keep a sleep journal

When trying new sleep-inducing methods, it is best to write about them in a sleep journal. This will allow one to see if these strategies are being helpful. Other experts meanwhile suggest writing worries and other thoughts down in a journal before bedtime. Lisa M. Cannon, M.D., notes that processing these thoughts can also be a powerful way to calm the mind and de-stress. 

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Reduce clutter in the bedroom

More than gadgets, other objects in the bedroom can affect sleep quality. For example, books that are gathering dust can actually cause allergies without a person noticing it. A pile of unwashed clothes might make a person feel stressed. Preparing the bedroom before bedtime can also be a relaxing activity for others. Keeping the room clean, spacious, and smelling fresh will help a person unwind at the end of the day.

Lisa M. Cannon, M.D., is a board-certified pulmonary disease and critical care physician with a private practice in Bergen County, New Jersey. For more reads on health and medicine, visit this page.

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