5 Tips For A Restful Night's Sleep From A Good Sleeper

I am a good sleeper. I always have been. And it is a good thing too because I am one of those people who cannot function on a lack of sleep. I need my sleep, otherwise I might fall asleep at my desk. I really might.

These days getting enough sleep is challenged by the fact that suddenly the whole family has to get up earlier than ever now that my oldest is in Kindergarten. The bus comes at 7:18 am. That means we all have to get up around 6:15 to get her up and out the door for the bus. That’s an hour earlier than we used to get up, and that hour of sleep is going to take a huge adjustment. HUGE.

Since I can’t add hours to the day, I am reviewing some sleeping basics to make sure that the sleep I get is restful. Of course, going to bed earlier would also help, but there is just so much to do.

5 Tips For A Restful Night’s Sleep

Create Your Space – The goal is restful sleep, so the first step is to make sure that your surroundings are conducive to rest. Tranquil colors, comfortable temperature and even lighting can help put your mind at ease and get ready for a restful sleep. While colors in the blue/teal family produce a calming effect, bright colors like yellow can make one feel more alert. Consider a calming color palette to your bedroom. Another easy fix to set the room for sleep are flameless candles on self-timers and dim lamps. When I am winding down for bed, I turn off the overhead light relying on dim table-top lamps and flameless candles in my room for light. When it is time for sleep I turn off the lamps and fall asleep to a safe, gentle candle glow.

Get Comfy – A lumpy, bumpy mattress that has lost its support is not going to help you find peaceful sleep. It is going to cause you to toss and turn restlessly. Like anything else, mattresses have a shelf life, and when it’s time to replace your mattress — it is really time. (In case you are wondering, it is time in my house!) Another thing to help you get comfy, a good pillow. (Be sure to check out the info below to learn how you could win a Tempur-Pedic pillow.)

Ban Electronics – This is a tip that I am guilty of not following all of the time. Turn off the electronics. No more email checking, no more blog post writing. When it is time for bed, go to bed. Your brain needs a chance to wind down before it can fall asleep, and continually checking in with work or responsibilities prevents your mind from starting to rest. Read a book or a magazine or something relaxing before going to sleep, not something that will remind you of all of the things you have to do the next day.

No Caffeine After 4 pm – Put down the Coke and step away from the espresso. If you have a hard time falling asleep at night, look at what you are eating and drinking throughout the day. If you love to wind down with an after dinner cappuccino, switch to decaf. Allow any caffeine ingested during the day to have a chance to wear off before it is time to start your bedtime routine. (Also take a look at any medications you need. My asthma medicine hypes me up, so I make it a habit to take it earlier in the day.)

Set A Routine – You heard it over and over when your babies were born, get them on a routine to help them fall asleep. Well, the same holds true for mom and dad. If you are staying up past midnight most nights, you can’t expect your body to adjust to falling asleep early on other nights (unless from exhaustion, of course). Set a reasonable bedtime, and set a routine. Prep your body and your mind for sleep. While there may not be someone to sing you a lullaby, dimming the lights, taking a shower, brushing your teeth, listening to calming music and reading a book in the same pattern each night helps your brain identify the steps toward sleep.

Mattress Expert Sweepstakes

Over the next several weeks Havertys will be asking a series of questions to help you find the mattress that’s right for your sleep style. The questions will be asked on Twitter and Facebook, and each person who responds will be entered to win the weekly prize a Tempur-Pedic TEMPUR-Cloud ® pillow ($129 value). Each week, the most creative answer wins so get creative.

Havertys hopes the contest will help you think about how you can get a better night’s sleep. And who knows, you might even win a new pillow to get you started. Enter the Havertys Mattress Expert Sweepstakes today.