Gelyka Dumaraos As a freelance writer constantly traveling and juggling different things during the day, I often find myself awake until the wee hours to meet deadlines and attend video conferences with my clients abroad. I thought that sacrificing sleep was a small price to pay for being productive and, you know, earning above the average. But I’ve realized that a good night’s sleep is not just a luxury. It’s a necessity—and once you neglect it, your body will surely tell you it’s no longer happy.
Since the pandemic, my sleep habit has been a mess. Sometimes I am wide awake until 4 AM with so many thoughts. I’ll have several naps during the day, sometimes even in front of the computer. During trips, I couldn’t even sleep because my mind was racing even when I already had a headache due to lack of sleep.
I gained weight. I became much more irritated. And my anxiety was up to the roof. In short, I was a mess, or more like a zombie.
But things changed when I started prioritizing my health. Over time, I’ve found a few tips and tricks that have helped me get better sleep health.
No more coffee after 6 pm
I am a coffee person who drinks coffee all day. For a time, I didn’t believe that coffee really affected my sleep habits, as I could sleep even with so much caffeine. But when I tried downsizing my consumption during the night, my body started slowing down my energy, and thus, I fell asleep!
Exercise
Regular exercise is great for our overall health and can help us sleep better at night. I like to take a brisk walk in the morning– it helps me feel more energized during the day and more relaxed at night. Just be sure to avoid intense exercise too close to bedtime, as it can actually make it harder to fall asleep.
Minimize screen time at night
We’ve all heard that the blue light from our phones and laptops can disrupt our sleep patterns. But let’s be real – it’s hard to avoid screens entirely in this day and age. So instead, I try to minimize my screen time to an hour or two before bed. I might read a book or take a warm bath.
Prioritize things during the day
I’ve found that when I have a lot on my mind, it can be tough to quiet my thoughts at night. That’s why I try to prioritize things during the day – whether it’s making a to-do list, scheduling appointments, or just taking care of little tasks that have been circling over my head. I also rescheduled my meetings for early in the morning (that’s late afternoon in my client’s time zone), and it worked! By taking care of these things earlier in the day, I can relax and unwind more easily at night. I have more time to do journaling as well.
Buy quality sleep products
Of course, sometimes, the key to better sleep is as simple as investing in a quality pillow or mattress. That’s why I love URATEX – they offer a wide range of products designed to help you get the best possible sleep. Since I was a kid, my parents have always trusted this brand. And now that I am no longer at my parents’ house and have been living independently with my partner, we always see to it that this is the only brand we use—from our mattress to our pillows. Their products are made with high-quality materials, so you can rest easy knowing you’re investing in something that will last.
All these tips worked for me, and I hope they can also improve yours. Remember, a good night’s rest is essential to our overall health and well-being, so take the time to prioritize your sleep health so you can do more when you wake up!
Did you know that March 17 is World Sleep Day? With this, Uratex is offering up to 15% off on selected sleep products today until 31, 2023! #UratexWSD2023 #WorldSleepDay #TulogIsLife
