Sleep is More Important Than You Think!

I’m sure we all know how important sleep is to maintain a healthy lifestyle, but for some reason, it feels like we never have time to prioritize sleep. A lack of sleep can have countless effects on our health, efficiency, and our ability to focus. Unfortunately, late nights tend to add up in the legal profession whether you’re an attorney or a law student. PracticePro offers the following tips on getting a good night’s sleep and avoiding exhaustion:

1. Exercise daily, but not before bed!

Exercise has been proven to improve sleep quality and even help with symptoms of insomnia. Exercise allows you to get an endorphin rush during your day while keeping you feeling healthy and invigorated. However, you want to avoid too much strenuous exercise in the evenings and before going to bed.

Exercise helps increase adrenaline and other hormones that act as a stimulant in your body. This kind of excitement right before bed can lead to difficulty falling asleep. While studies go back and forth on this data, it is best to prioritize a morning workout so when you come home from work or school, you can focus on relaxation.

2. Get the right tools for a good night’s sleep

While you might not think about it, your mattress or your pillows might be contributing to reduced sleep quality. One huge aspect of sleep is being comfortable in a sleep-inducing environment. If it’s been a while since you’ve gotten a new mattress or new pillows, try switching them out and see if you have a better night’s sleep. If you find yourself constantly tossing and turning, this may be a sign that you’re simply uncomfortable in bed.

Another part of getting the right tools is making sure that the lighting in your room isn’t too bright before bed. Optimal dim lighting can help signal to your brain that it’s time for bed. Similarly, you want to make sure that you aren’t spending too long on your phone right before bed because staring at a bright screen before bed won’t help you fall asleep any faster. Lastly, don’t be afraid to try out different things such as a weighted blanket or a sound machine, in order to see what your best sleep environment is.

3. Be aware of how eating habits may affect your sleep

The first tip is a pretty easy one-limit caffeine throughout the day. Caffeine is probably a key part of our daily routine now, but make sure that you aren’t consuming caffeine too late in the day. Some studies show that caffeine can cause sleep problems up to ten hours after drinking it!

You also want to avoid big meals and alcohol before bed as that can lead to stomach trouble and heartburn. Alcohol is known for interfering with your sleep cycle, despite the fact that many people assume a drink before bed helps them fall asleep faster. You also want to avoid sugary food and an abundance of carbs before bed as these foods can actually awaken you from deeper stages of your sleep cycle.

4. Don’t lie in bed if you’re having trouble falling asleep

It’s tempting to count sheep or to keep telling yourself that you’ll fall asleep any moment, but unfortunately these nights we usually get the least sleep. If after 20 minutes you feel like you’re wide awake, try to do a calming activity in dim lighting. Actively doing something may tire you out and give you the small push you need to drift off into a comfortable sleep. Calming activities can include reading a book or listening to some soft music until you feel yourself drifting off.