Getting enough sleep at night is the key to a healthy and productive lifestyle. However, given the stresses of survival, parenting and other issues, getting your 7 to 8 hours of beauty sleep is easier said than done. Here are a few survival tips for the sleep-deprived individual.
Focus On Things Within Your Control
Sometimes we clog our lives with everything that needs doing, and many things that we can live without doing. And then we berate ourselves over things that are simply not in our control. So take a good look at your life. Have you made unnecessary commitments lately? Do you feel that you’re not living up to people’s expectations? Are you asking too much of yourself? Take back control; you don’t have to be superman. Just human, that’s all.
Prioritize Tasks
Segregate the tasks on your plate into negotiable and non-negotiable tasks. Don’t bow down to urgency; do the task that’s important first. Don’t let other people dictate priorities to you. When you prioritize tasks, you’ll be taking back control of the time you spend doing them.
Cut Back On The Caffeine
Caffeine becomes a crutch over time. We find ourselves unwilling to get on with life without our usual dose of caffeine. The problem is, your body becomes so dependent on the black brew that it’s unable to function without it. Cut back on your caffeine slowly. Don’t drink coffee after 4 P.M. You’ll see changes in your sleep pattern pretty soon.
Don’t Compromise On Your Meals
An inadequate diet is sometimes at the root of sleep issues. You need to eat a good breakfast, a good lunch and a light dinner, interspersed with healthy snacks and plenty of water. When your body’s nutrition is compromised, your energies start to drop and your sleep patterns are affected. Eating too much will make you feel sluggish and fatigued while eating too little will keep your body craving. Either condition is bad for good sleep. While you’re at it, avoid refined sugar, as sugar leaves you feeling tired and craving more.
Take Naps
The 20-minute power nap is a fantastic technique that can refresh and energize you. If you perfect this technique, you’ll find that you enjoy increased awareness, energy and productivity, all of which contribute to better sleep. Working people and parents of young kids may find it tough to take naps, but don’t let this stop you from finding a creative way to power nap.
Do Major Tasks When You Feel Alert
All of us have different body rhythms. Perhaps you feel most energetic and alert during the early hours of the day, while someone else finds nights to be inspiring. Plan to do tasks that require focus during your alert times. Know when you feel sluggish during the day and plan activities that keep your blood circulation up. It’s good to step out and take a walk when you feel sluggish. This method will allow you to capitalize on the times when you feel energetic, and make good use of your not so energetic times.
De-stress
Stress is the biggest killer of sleep. Keep stresses at bay by doing meditation and by entertaining yourself. Watch funny movies and subscribe to a humor blog just to cheer yourself up. Push yourself to complete tasks that are causing you unconscious stress. Talk to your loved ones and visit an old friend – whatever you do, aim to reduce your stress levels a little every day.
Work Out
Exercise can make you feel more energized. When you finally lay down to sleep, your sleep will be of a much better quality than before you started your workout. Any kind of workout helps; you don’t need to take out that costly gym subscription.
Drink Plenty Of Water
Dehydration causes blood to thicken, making you feel sluggish, fatigued and slow to react or respond. If you find yourself not being very productive or feeling tired in the middle of the day, check how much water you’re consuming. The average adult needs to consume at least 2 to 3 liters of water a day. Make it a point to include water-rich vegetables into your diet as well.
