All-nighters, or sleeping in on weekends to make up for lost sleep are examples of bad sleep hygiene. It may leave you asking 'Why Do I Sleep So Much?' In contrast, sleep hygiene can be improved by avoiding caffeine at night, switching off your devices and getting your room temperature right.
Positive sleep hygiene means you benefit from more restful sleep for a significant period each night. Poor sleep habits however can result in inadequate rest.
Healthy, regular sleep is vital in maintaining positive emotional, mental and physical health, helping your concentration, mood and function throughout the day.
The basic elements of sleep hygiene incorporate the following:
Get those simple things in place and you are well on your way to excellent sleep hygiene.
Work out your optimum sleep duration
Our sleep needs change as we age, but typically, adults require 7.5 hours per night.
If you bounce out of bed like an excited puppy each morning after just 6 hours then don’t fret. It’s just important you feel rested. One caveat however is if you often sleep less than six or more than nine hours per evening and don’t feel like you are suitably rested, as this may signal a sleep disorder.
Go to bed the same time every night
After working out how much sleep is right for you, identify a regular sleep schedule with sufficient room for it to occur.
Set an alarm for the morning and attempt to rise at the same time each day.
Make sure your room is quiet
Your room should be as silent as possible. If you find silence a little creepy, the white noise apps can help for calming your anxieties or quietening those noisy neighbours.
Make sure your room is both cool and dark
Your optimum temperature for falling asleep is in the mid 60 degrees Fahrenheit.
Make your bed a shrine of sleep, sex and nothing else.
Dedicating a space to sleep is psychologically vital.
If you have something on your mind that is making you sleep too much or too little then we are here to help. Click here to browse our therapists.
