Everyone knows the optimal amount of sleep is eight hours per night, but a lot of us aren’t getting anywhere near that much. It’s very important to get enough sleep, because your body will become run-down and more likely to get sick without adequate rest. Not getting enough sleep is also linked to weight gain. It is also linked to a higher rate of car accidents and other mishaps, and can impact work or school performance as well. Clearly, getting eight hours of sleep every night is necessary for good health and functioning, but that can be easier said than done.
If a spouse’s snoring is keeping you up all night, you will need to either wear earplugs or solve the problem once and for all. Since most of us don’t want to wear earplugs to bed, because of the danger of not hearing children who need us, smoke alarms, or possible burglary attempts, it is probably safer to cure your spouse’s snoring. There are many snoring cures available. These are generally some sort of device that will alter your spouse’s breathing slightly so that they are able to breathe more freely and stop snoring.
Keeping your thermostat set a little lower than usual may also help you sleep better. A quality mattress may also be needed. If your mattress is old and worn out, purchasing a new one can actually be an investment in your mental and physical health. Noisy neighbors and barking dogs are another common problem. If calling the police hasn’t worked, a fan or other white noise machine can block out the racket and help you to sleep more deeply. Getting adequate sunlight during the day is another great tip, since it will help your body’s sense of time regulate and tell your brain when it is time to get sleepy. Exercise will also help you sleep at night, as long as you don’t do it late at night right before going to bed (that can actually backfire and get your adrenaline revved up, and then it will be hours before you can fall asleep).
If all else fails, try an over-the-counter sleep remedy like melatonin. Melatonin signals your body that it is time to sleep, and it’s all natural and not addictive.