Sleep goals to set in 2021
It’s ‘New Year, New Me’ season! What does investing in your wellness look like for you? For a lot of us, it’s treating ourselves to the sleep we actually deserve. So what exactly does that look like? Honestly, everyone’s sleep goals will look different, and rightfully so. If you’re unsure how to set yourself up for sleep success, you’ve come to the right place! Here are our favorite sleep goals to get your new year started.
Routine is key
A sleep routine means having an optimal circadian rhythm. Why is this important? Keeping up with consistent sleep and wake times encourages better sleep, aids long-term sleep quality, and even balances your melatonin levels. When you’re going to bed at around the same time every night, your body, hormones, and mind happily follow. If you keep it up, you’ll find yourself naturally waking up before your alarm even goes off.
Smart naps
Working from home means a possible opportunity to sneak a quick nap into your lunch break. If you need it, napping for 10 to 20 minutes during the day can offer up short-term alertness. Short naps are considered healthy because it’s just enough rest to wake up refreshed and awake. Whereas, the 90 to 110 minute range typically leaves us groggy and wanting to sleep more.
Relax more
Take time to engage in activities that can settle your mental and physical strains. Some calming activities that actually encourage better sleep include meditating, taking a bath, reading a book, and listening to music. For those short on time, these activities can be done as part of your sleep routine.
Turn off the tech
In the age of 24/7 technology, it’s important to turn it all off every now and then. Especially in a time where we are dealing with what seems like a never-ending telenovela, we need to pause and let ourselves properly wind down. Aim to turn off all electronics at least 20 minutes before you sleep. Doing this inevitably reduces the chances of heightened anxiety and even insomnia.
Stay active
Moving your body does more for your sleep than you might think. According to Micheal J. Breus from The Sleep Doctor, “physical activity increases the time spent in deep sleep, the most physically restorative sleep phase. Deep sleep helps to boost immune function, support cardiac health, and control stress and anxiety.” So, if you’re one who tosses and turns throughout the night, this is likely the goal for you! Keep in mind that you don’t have to run a marathon or complete 2-hour cardio sessions. Walks, yoga, and even some light cleaning will do!
As you can see, we encourage taking more time to wind down and be present with yourself. Learning to relax more, keep yourself active, and setting up a routine are amazing ways to get better sleep. Even if it’s just one goal that sticks, then we consider that a success!
References
Also in Blog
Are You Getting Enough Sleep to Survive the Back-to-School Season?
It’s easy to focus on our children's sleep schedules, but what about our own?
What Are Blue Light Glasses and Do They Work?
Sales of blue-light-blocking glasses have more than doubled since the beginning of the pandemic, according to recent polls. Remote work, online classes, and lockdowns have all meant more time in front of screens for many of us— and blue light glasses look like a good solution.
Read More
Friday Funnies: Where the Bed is an Arena and Snoring is a Battle Cry?
This week, we're diving into the nocturnal world of snoozing, snoring, and the terrifying, silent pauses in between....