I have been sleeping great recently, waking up naturally at 6am, ready to go for the day.
I wanted to share what’s working for me, in case it’s helpful for you, too.
Here are my top tips for a great night’s sleep:
Limit Caffeine and Stop Early in the Day
I used to drink 3–4 cups of coffee per day, including one around 2pm to get me through the afternoon. Recently I’ve limited myself to 2 cups first thing in the morning, stopping by 8am. This ensures the caffeine is out of my system by bedtime.
Stay Active During the Day
I normally get at least 30 minutes of dedicated exercise in the morning — usually in the form of running outside — and try to stay as active as possible throughout the day. This activity leaves my body feeling tired when the day is done.
Stop Eating at Least an Hour Before Bedtime
If I eat too close to bedtime, my body is still working hard digesting food instead of focusing on sleep. I try to stop eating at least 1–2 hours before bed to allow my body to be in a fully rested state at bedtime.
Limit Sweets
I’ve learned that my body doesn’t respond well to a lot of sugar. If I eat an indulgent dessert even relatively close to bedtime, my stomach gets upset and that will keep me up during the night. I’ve found its a lot better for sleep if I satisfy my sweet tooth with fruit instead of cookies or ice cream.
Limit Alcohol
I love a glass of red wine at night — for me, it’s one of life’s simple pleasures. I can still sleep pretty well with 1–2 glasses, but any more than that and I’ll be up for an hour or more in the middle of the night. Alcohol can feel good in the moment, but not so much in the middle of the night or the next day.
Stick to a Consistent Bedtime
I normally get into bed by 9 or 9:30 p.m. Sticking to a consistent bedtime allows me to stick with a consistent wake time, naturally. This ensures I give myself at least 7–8 hours of sleep, which is what I’ve found my body needs.
