One of the cornerstones of good health is sleep. Unless you are 7`2″ like me and don`t fit into most beds (I recently bought a bed that`s 8 feet long – it looks cool, but the sheets are incredibly expensive!), there is no reason why you shouldn`t get a good night`s rest. Try to follow these seven points:
- Get to sleep by 10:30 pm, which doesn`t mean get to bed by this time. You`ve got to be asleep by that time and go for a full 8 hours of uninterrupted sleep.
- Ever wonder why your neck hurts after sleeping on your belly all night? Better positions are on your back or on your side – if you choose the side place a small pillow between your knees.
- Please avoid snacks right before going to bed. Grains and any sugar will raise the blood sugar and inhibit sleep. As soon as the blood sugar drops again you might get hypoglycemic and not be able to get back to sleep.
- Need to eat something before going to bed anyway? Choose something with protein and/or a piece of fruit. This might help the tryptophan cross the blood-brain barrier which helps produce melatonin and serotonin (good for sleep).
- Like to sleep during the day? Harvard scientists found out that so-called power naps may even improve your memory.
- Use a good pillow. It should be comfortable and emphasize your cervical curve. It should be thick/thin enough to not bring the neck out of midline while laying on your back or side.
- After sleeping, make sure not to throw your back out when you get up. So roll to your side, kick your legs forward over the bed`s edge and push off with both of your arms into a sitting position.
