
Sleep is as crucial to a healthy body and a sound mind as eating nutritious food and physical exercise. Yet, more often than not, we tend to take this aspect of our lives a bit carelessly. One who suffers from a bad night’s sleep and a poor sleep cycle can suffer from serious negative implications on their health.
These include weight management problems, increase risk for heart diseases, negative hormones and brain functions, as well as tiredness and lethargy. On the other hand, those who get their recommended 7-8 hours per night of sleep without any disruptions are prone to a much healthier lifestyle. Since this notion of our health that is often taken for granted is of utmost importance, here are some tested and trusted tips and tricks to getting a good night’s sleep.
Avoid Caffeine at Night

Although we all crave our cup of coffee from time to time, if you’re looking to fix your sleep schedule, please avoid caffeine at night. Known to enhance focus, energy and performance, drinking coffee in the evening and night can stimulate your nervous system and prevent your body from relaxing once you get into bed.
Experts recommend not drinking coffee at least 6 hours before bed as caffeine can stay in one’s blood for up to 6-8 hours. However, if you’re really craving that delicious beverage after a long day at work, stick to decaffeinated coffee, especially if you have trouble sleeping at night.
Don’t Use Gadgets in Bed

One of the most common factors that affect a good night’s sleep is exposure to blue light at night, and by that we mean gadgets and devices in bed. Night-time exposure to devices such as laptops and smartphones affects your circadian rhythm, tricking the brain into thinking it’s still daytime. This prevents your body from relaxing and falling asleep.
At least two hours before bed, turn off your TV and laptop, and set your smartphone at a small distance away from your bed, so you don’t fall victim to late-night scrolling on social media. If you need to turn your air conditioner or air purifier on or off at night, avoid using your phone to do that and simply set the adjustment timings to automatic.
Don’t Take Long and Irregular Naps in the Day
Although we all require a rejuvenating nap from time to time, stick to 30–40-minute naps during the day, as napping too long can affect your night’s sleep. In contrast, short naps are beneficial for giving you a quick burst of energy. Sleeping for too long during the day can have a detrimental effect on your sleep pattern as well as energy levels.
Naps are prone to confuse your internal clock and hence have an adverse effect on sleep quality in general. So, every time you feel yourself getting sleepy during the day, make sure to set your alarm for just 30 minutes, so you don’t oversleep and end up spending your nights awake.
Consider Taking Supplements
There are many supplements that act as a sleeping aid if you have trouble getting a good night’s sleep. Amongst these, melatonin is the most effective one that helps treat insomnia and other sleep disorders. It is also a great supplement to take if you’re travelling, which can affect your circadian rhythm due to time zones.
Other than melatonin, try some natural herb-based supplements to improve your sleep health. These include valerian root, lavender and ginkgo biloba. Lavender is a great way of introducing a calming and sedentary effect that improves sleep tremendously. You can also use it in the form of essential oils inside a diffuser as you go to bed.
Set Your Bedroom Environment
Setting your bedroom environment and optimising it to your sleep needs can also help you improve your sleep health. This includes taking care of the temperature – not too cold, not too hot, external lights-dimmed, and other factors. Minimise external noise and light from devices and gadgets such as alarm clocks, air conditioners, and air purifiers.
Music on the other hand can help you ease into a good night’s sleep. Set up a good quality Bluetooth speaker and put on some relaxing and calming music as you drift off to sleep. Music is known to reduce heart rate, blood pressure and lead to slow breathing which can all work to make you sleep faster by relaxing your nervous system.
Don’t Eat Heavy Meals Late at Night
Eating late at night has negative implications for your sleep quality. As a tip, do not go for the high-carb diet to satisfy your night cravings, as this kind of food prevents the HGH and melatonin needed to relax and fall asleep naturally. You can avoid eating carbs and fats at least 4 hours before bed, as it is generally recommended to eat dinner earlier for good quality sleep.
If you’re looking to snack before bedtime, stick to fruits such as apples and kiwis or drink some chamomile tea to help you relax and wind down. Eating light at night also prevents any digestive discomfort that can affect your sleep and prevent you from getting comfortable.
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This blog post is part of the blog challenge ‘Blogaberry Dazzle’ hosted by Cindy D’Silva and Noor Anand Chawla and it is in collaboration with BakezbyDaizy.
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*This is a sponsored guest post.
**Copyright in pictures and content belongs to nooranandchawla.com and cannot be republished or repurposed without express permission of the author. As I am a copyright lawyer by profession, infringement of any kind will invite strict legal action.
Most of us have sleep issues nowadays, thanks to our lifestyle and hectic schedules. No gadgets in bed and a rested environment are a must. Personally, I like diffusing essential oils at night for better sleep.
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I know what does a sound sleep mean to health, I can’t sleep n Im up with a pin drop. All gadgets out of my room and now to gain max sleep we have shifted to early sleep so we can catch on some sleep.
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Great tips you’ve got there! I just realised how much I get to follow your tips except for that using of gadget before bed. Will try though and be mindful about it.
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Very helpful post Noor. Sleep deprivation can mess with our lives but most people don’t give it too much importance. Amomg other things, I can vouch for your point that we need to keep our tummy light before bedtime… I have experienced the difference.
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Sleep plays a very vital role in our over all health. All your tips are so useful and apt but it’s important that we follow then religiously.
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Dear Noor the tips that you mentioned are something very important to follow for quality sleep and I agree to it and follow the same. But I am guilty of not following the Gadget free sleeping point as actually looking at it for sometime after hitting the bed actually makes me fall asleep.
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Six super steps to sound sleep.
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Wanted to be a morning person always. Even I got up early for hubby’s tiffin and then slept again. Because of babies and not have early night rounds up due to hundreds of reason. Your tips are helpful and trying to get in. Hope in next year I will be able to be a morning person.That is my goal.🤞🏻
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These are simple but really effective tips. Sometimes we don’t realize that something as simple as having a light meal or staying away from phones can help sleep better.
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A good night’s sleep is just as important as regular exercise and a healthy diet. I do follow all…playing calm music before bedtime is very relaxing for me. Thanks for sharing these tips.
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Great tips, Noor..following these and more. Finally, off my relaxants after more than a year. A healthy body comes from a good nights sleep and a healthy mind by both.
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I’m the kind who is out the moment the head hits the pillow. These times of hustling, we often take sleep for granted. It is just as important as anything else.
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I normally sleep soundly but my hours are always haphazard. It’s like I have to push my brain to sleep well. I will try your tips on using supplements and lavender.
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Iam from the lot of people who have trouble sleeping. Have never tried suppliments….will keep these mind. Camomile tea works to calm me and sometimes i have that.
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These are some great pointers. Sleep is underrated for good health. I try to follow most of these methods.
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As always, great article, Noor! I’ve personally experienced how a soothing bedroom environment can help with sleep and better mental health.
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I love the tips but some are truly difficult to follow! 🥵😫
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Out of all the list provided by you I have 2 things that I should do. Avoide caffeine and try supplements because my insomnia issue is increasing.
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It is always important to have a good night’s sleep. These steps are very helpful as most of us nowadays do not get good sleep.
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This article seems Quite helpful as I can’t seem fall asleep before 2am whatever I do
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