Most of us have troubles sleeping from time to time. Some people can’t fall asleep easily once in a while, while for others it is simply a part of their routine. If you have a hard time falling asleep and staying asleep throughout the night, you should determine whether you are doing something wrong. Chronic rest deprivation can be caused by some things that most of us do on a regular basis prior to going to bed, without even realizing that they can have an impact on our sleep patterns.
Turning Up the Heat
One of the very common things that can affect your quality and duration of rest is turning up the heat. Although temperature preferences vary from person to person, most of us prefer sleeping when the temperature in the bedroom is between 60 and 70 degrees. We simply tend to sleep better in a cooler environment. The reason for this is simple – when people fall asleep, the temperature of their bodies drops a bit during the night, and it is easier to stay asleep if the bedroom is not too hot. If there is a huge difference between the body’s temperature and the temperature in the bedroom, sleeping can get uncomfortable.
Washing Your Face with Cold Water
Another thing that affects your ability to fall asleep is using cold water to wash your face. Of course, there is nothing unhealthy about it, and many people do it as it helps to clean the face and close pores. However, you should be aware that, when cold water gets in contact with your skin, your body releases energy to keep you warm. As a result, it can even cause you to stay awake because of the energy release, which will make it more difficult to fall asleep. It would be the best idea to wash your face with warm water in the evening, and with cold water in the morning, when you need help waking up.
Sleeping on an Uncomfortable Surface
You should keep in mind that your choice of the sleeping surface has a vital influence on your quality and quantity of rest. You need to be comfortable throughout the night if you want to wake up well-rested and full of energy in the morning. Unfortunately, many people sleep on old and uncomfortable mattresses, which life expectancy expired a long time ago. Most models last between 10 and 15 years, depending on the quality and the materials used. In case you have troubles getting enough shut-eye, and your mattress is more than two decades old, you should consider obtaining a new model that provides the much-needed support and comfort. If you don’t know how to pick the right one, taking a look at Real Mattress Reviews may help you make the right decision.
Minty Fresh Mouth
Another thing that you should know about unexpected factors that can make it difficult to fall asleep is that your choice of toothpaste can affect your sleep. To be clear – it doesn’t mean that brushing your teeth before going to bed is a bad idea. It merely means that you should consider replacing your current toothpaste with a different one. The scent of peppermint can stimulate your brain and make you feel more awake than before brushing your teeth. If you are not able to drift off to dreamland within a reasonable period after going to bed, it would be a good idea to try an alternative flavor of toothpaste, such as bubblegum or strawberry as it may be the solution for your sleep deprivation.
Using Electronic Devices
Most of us use electronic devices before going to bed. No matter if we prefer watching the television in the evening, or using social media to stay in touch with our friends or family members who live in a different town, we are simply used to using these devices before the bedtime. Some of us also have a habit of checking work email when going to bed. However, most of us are not aware that the blue light emitted from these devices can disrupt our sleeping patterns. Due to the use of smartphones and tablets late in the evening, we may have troubles falling asleep after turning the lights off. Another consequence of this widespread habit is that it also negatively affects the quality of our rest. If we want to get enough quality shut-eye at night, we should avoid the television and smartphones at least an hour or two before going to bed.