We’ll definitely talk about what positions are best momentarily, but I also want to cover the critical nature of getting to sleep and staying asleep for our health & healing processes. Recovery happens when we sleep!! It’s so important that you aren’t making little decisions that are totally sabotaging your body’s ability to heal properly during your sleep.
Here are my TOP 5 Sleep Recommendations:
- Watch the Sunset – Did you know that watching the sun go down actually begins a cascade of hormones in your body that help you fall asleep? BUT, coming inside and exposing your eyes to blue light (from screens or fluorescent lights) totally reverses this good thing you just did by watching the sunset!! Put blue light blocking glasses on at Sundown…or better yet, turn screens off altogether at sunset for BEST sleep results! …and give thanks to God for your day and all it held, even the hard things, this connects with #5…
- Cool, dark room is the best environment for good, deep sleep. The cooler & darker it is, the less disturbed your sleep.
- What Position? Best: on your back with a thin pillow that won’t push your head forward; Next best? On your side with a pillow between your knees to keep your hips balanced; ALL-TIME WORST? On your stomach or any other position where your limbs are crossing over or having your head turned to 1 side. Think ‘balanced posture’ when you’re sleeping—that’s the best way!
- Don’t eat or drink anything at least 2 hours before you go to sleep. If you eat or drink a big amount before you sleep your body is working hard to digest food, this can interrupt your sleep cycles. Plus, if you stop drinking liquids earlier, less chance of waking to use the restroom and break-up your sleep.
- If at all possible, begin dealing with any stressful situations during the day, not at night! Turn lights down at sundown, avoid stressful shows/movies, plan for tomorrow early-on so that you’re not hitting the pillow with 15 to-do’s plaguing your mind all at once. Everyone has to find a routine that works for you, but these are definitely some ways to begin creating one that actually works for you!