How To Get Better Sleep (Part 2)

By Lydia Wallie, Nutrition Director

Don’t stress out if you’re having a hard time falling asleep. If you are in bed lying wide awake, instead of getting anxious about potentially missing out on sleep (this raises cortisol), choose a positive mindset, get excited about the potential to work on something, and find something to work on. Reading a book with dim lighting is a great option for these moments.
Use a weighted blanket to support relaxation. (1) “A weighted blanket may aid in reducing insomnia through altered tactile inputs, thus may provide an innovative, non-pharmacological approach and complementary tool to improve sleep quality." (2) Note: The suggested weight is 10% of your body weight.
Keep your room dark and quiet. This is simple but very important.
Hangout in the yard barefoot. The term for this is, “earthing,” or, “grounding.” Emerging evidence demonstrates that being outside barefoot… “may be a simple, natural, and yet profoundly effective environmental strategy against chronic stress, ANS dysfunction, inflammation, pain, poor sleep, disturbed HRV, hypercoagulable blood, and many common health disorders, including cardiovascular disease." (3)
Eat real food. This can make an incredible difference in your sleep patterns and overall health!

Choose one strategy from the options above to incorporate this week and stay tuned for part 3 with even more sleep tips!

Sources List:

(1) doi: 10.5405/jmbe.1043