5 Steps to a More Restful Night's Sleep

Getting the right amount of sleep is so important to your overall health and happiness! If you're having trouble falling asleep at night, you may want to take a look around your bedroom and make some changes. I'll help you create a peaceful place where you can fall asleep and wake up feeling refreshed and ready to take on the world! For a great eight hours of slumber, try:

Cutting the Noise: If your bedroom isn't a quiet sanctuary, block out noise with earplugs or a source of "white noise," like a fan or an air conditioner.

Removing the TV: You may feel as if you have to watch TV to fall asleep, but watching it in bed or even on your couch might prevent you from getting a good night's sleep. A disturbing newscast could leave you feeling agitated or anxious rather than relaxed. Laughing at a funny TV show may wake you up, rather than help you doze off. So, shut off the tube and go to sleep in peace!

• Putting Away the Laptop: "Just one more e-mail..." Does that sound familiar? Working on your laptop or Blackberry in bed can get in the way of your much-needed rest. Besides, do you really want to dream about work?!
• Curbing Your Puppy (or Kitty) Love: If you're an animal lover, and you let your pet sleep with you. He or she might be to blame for poor sleeping patterns. Sharing your bed with a furry friend can be disruptive, and if you're already sharing your space with a partner, you're sleeping in some cramped quarters! Consider purchasing a pillow or pet bed for your four-legged friend.
• Bettering Your Bed: Believe it or not, your mattress, pillows, and bedding can affect the quality of your sleep. A lumpy old mattress may not support your back or neck, while a an overly stiff mattress can do more harm than good (despite what most people think), causing back pain instead of alleviating it. If your pillow is synthetic rather than feather, it may hold five times as much dust mite fecal matter, which can aggravate asthma symptoms. As for your bedding, find something soft and comfortable, and make sure you wash your linens at least once a week.

With these simple improvements, you're sure to enjoy a much more restful night's sleep right away. You can thank me later!