There are a number of things you can try to help improve your sleep. One of the more important things you can do is to establish a regular sleep schedule. There are a few different reasons why following a sleep schedule can help you get a better night sleep on a regular basis.
Set A Reasonable Schedule
Most people who follow a regular schedule get more sleep because they set reasonable time schedules for when they will go to bed and when they will get up in the morning. Following a schedule alone can improve bedtime habits, but there is a lot more to it than this.
Make Use Of Your Internal Clock
Going to bed and getting up around the same time every day helps your body get into a natural rhythm and it helps reinforce your body’s internal clock. After following a routine for a few weeks you may notice you naturally start to feel tired when bedtime is approaching and you should notice an improvement in your quality of sleep. You should also be able to wake up a little more easily in the morning after getting up at the same time every day for several weeks.
Fall Asleep More Quickly
Getting into a natural rhythm means your brain and your body will be more ready for sleep when bedtime approaches so you should be able to fall asleep more quickly. Your body should also get more accustom to waking up at the same time each day, and you may notice you feel more refreshed and ready to face the day.
Use Light To Your Advantage
To help improve your sleep even more use light to your advantage. About an hour or so before your scheduled bedtime start dimming the lights or use table lamps instead of bright overhead lights. This will encourage your body to start producing melatonin and help your body start to relax and get sleepy. Then in the morning open the blinds right away or turn the lights on as soon as you get out of bed to help naturally wake yourself up. Exposure to light at the same time each day can help strengthen your body’s own internal clock.
Following a regular sleep schedule should help your body get into a natural cycle where you fall asleep more quickly, experience a better quality of sleep and wake more easily than you would if went to bed and awoke at a different time each day. If you don’t follow a regular sleep schedule now, it may take several weeks to adjust and really feel the benefits, but once you do you’ll wonder why you didn’t do it sooner.