There’s something about the early months of the year that make it harder to sleep. Maybe it’s all the plans you’ll be making in the forthcoming months, maybe it’s the colder weather. Whatever it is, rest is harder to come by for most this time of year.
Whether you’ve been attending our kickboxing classes in Gloucester County or just doing your own thing at our gym in Mt. Laurel, you’re going to need a good amount of sleep to get the proper recovery from your workouts.
Here are a few tips to help you get a good night’s rest.
- Lay off alcohol before bed – While some may insist that it helps you get to sleep, a small amount will help keep you up, while a large amount will have you waking up later at night.
- Wear socks to bed – Keeping your feet warm can help you sleep better and keep circulation up to help you stay asleep through the night.
- Exercise regularly – You’re more likely to be tired if you’ve engaged in physical activity throughout the day. Just don’t work out too close to bedtime, since your heart rate will take a while to come down.
- Keep cats, dogs and other animals off of the bed – As hard as it can be not to cuddle with your four-footed friends, you’ll have an easier time on your journey to slumberland if you aren’t constantly distracted by purrs or tail wagging.
- Cut out napping – If you really need a nap, make sure it lasts no longer than 30 minutes. Otherwise, you’ll be cutting into your sleep schedule, which generally means you’ll have a harder time getting rest later.
- Try progressive muscle relaxation – Relax your muscles by tensing and then relaxing each individual body part, one at a time, from your toes to your head. This will reduce fatigue, increase blood flow and give you something to concentrate on to clear your mind.
Lastly, if you really can’t fall asleep, get out of bed and do something else that doesn’t require a lot of light. Lying in bed when you’re unable to fall asleep creates a contest of will between you and your psyche, and in most cases, your psyche wins. Get out of bed, process your thoughts and come back.
If you need a few more recommendations, schedule an appointment with one of the nurses at our gyms.