Sleep is essential to our well being. A few nights without a decent sleep and our bodies very quickly begin to show signs of not coping. Sleep deprivation is detrimental to our health, so it’s important to understand the reasons we are not sleeping well and how to remedy them. Read on for the most common reasons for bad sleep.

A Bad Bed

One of the most common reasons for poor sleep is an uncomfortable bed. Research has proven that those with uncomfortable beds sleep less hours than people who have comfortable ones. While this is far from rocket science it is amazing how many people toss and turn each night and do not consider buying a better bed. Given the health risks associated with poor sleep and the fact that we spend almost half our lives sleeping, a good bed would seem a very worthwhile investment.

While your bed may have once been good, over time it will deteriorate. We sweat up to a quarter of a litre each night and also lose skin scales while we sleep. An old bed can become unhygienic and is also a haven for dust mites. Consider replacing an old bed and you will almost certainly experience an improvement in your sleep. Check out superamart.com.au/ to see what is available.

It is also important that your bed is supportive enough. Your mattress should be firm enough to support you but also comfortable enough to cushion the bodies bony curves.

Room Temperature

If your bed is comfortable and offers your body good support then you will need to look a little further as to why you may not be sleeping well. Room temperature most definitely affects how you sleep. The body and brain need to cool down to sleep. If the room temperature is too warm it will make it hard for your body to carry out the cool down process that leads to good sleep. You can try adding a fan to your room to cool the temperature. Many people find sleeping with a fan helps them sleep as the consistent buzz is conducive to sleep. Make sure you don’t get too cold however as this too will disrupt a good sleep.

Darkness

If your room is too light you may experience trouble sleeping. Close curtains and turn off any electronic devices emitting light. If there is too much light in your room your body is tricked into thinking its day time.

Overthinking

Many people struggle because they overthink. When they go to bed their minds begin to go back through the events of the day and dissect any problems they may be experiencing in their daytime life. One of the best strategies for dealing with this is to get out of bed and move to a different area of the house, leaving the lights out.

Caffeine

If you are experiencing any difficulty in sleeping it is really important to ensure you do not have caffeine late in the day. It is probably best not to consume any caffeine after lunchtime.

No more late tea and cake sessions for me anymore! Boo, although I can go decaff!