- Don’t exercise too close to bedtime. Wind down in the evening.
- Turn down the lights and shut off all electronics, including the TV, computer, and cell phone.
- Be sure to go to bed at the same time every night and wake up at the same time each morning.
- If you have any health conditions that interfere with your ability to get a good night’s rest, such as sleep apnea, arthritis, or restless-legs syndrome, talk to your doctor or a sleep specialist about how best to manage the condition so you can improve your quality of sleep.
This Week’s Challenge: Keep a sleep log that tracks how long and how well you’re sleeping each night, and be sure to include notes about anything that may be coming in between you and a full night of rest. Is your bed covered in papers or laundry? Is your room too hot or too cold? Is your bed comfortable? Are you waking up with any aches or pains? Were you sedentary all day? Is there anything distracting in your bedroom, such as the television, a computer, a beeping cell phone, a snoring bedmate, or other outside sounds? Are your eating, drinking, or late-night snacking habits making sleep difficult? After you log your sleeping experience for the week, evaluate your notes to determine what changes you could make to improve your sleeping patterns and then incorporate those changes. Post your results on the Challenge Board. Share with your teammates how your sleeping routine has improved and provide your personal tips on getting a better night’s rest.
