Sleep is crazy important, peeps!
We know all too well that not getting enough shut-eye can make us feel lousy, cranky, irritated, and, frankly, keen to do only one thing – crawl back into bed.
Luckily, there are a few super simple yet effective things you can do to help improve your slumber.
Read on to find out why getting quality sleep so important – and what you can do to get more of it!
Why is sleep important?
Sleep is essential for good health and wellbeing.
Not only does quality sleep provide a necessary boost to our immune system, but it may also reduce the risk of developing various chronic diseases, and keep your brain healthy.
The problem is that sleep is often underrated – with many running on just 5-6 hours of sleep per night!
But when the experts are recommending between 7 and 9 hours of uninterrupted sleep each night, it isn’t surprising that 43 percent of Americans feel too tired to function safely at work!
So, how can you improve your sleep? Here are a few simple and easy things you can do:
Snack on plant-based foods before bed.
Loading up your plate with fatty foods a few hours before your head hits the pillow can lead to tossing and turning all night.
But did you know that certain plant-based foods can help you sleep better, and longer?
These foods are often high in the sleep-regulating hormone, melatonin – and magnesium, which has been shown to improve sleep quality.
The best foods to snack on before bed are almonds and brazil nuts, kiwis, bananas, oatmeal, dark leafy greens, and white rice.
Sleep alongside your pet.
Experts have long protested against sleeping in the same room as your pet – but, according to a new study from the Mayo Clinic, sleeping alongside your dog may actually improve your sleep quality.
The study found that people felt more comfortable and secure knowing their pet is in the same room.
So, it may be worth sharing a bedroom with your four-legged friend for better slumber.
Practice gratitude.
Gratitude has many positive effects on our health and wellbeing, from reducing anxiety to making us feel more fulfilled.
But science has shown that consciously counting your blessings can also improve the quality of our sleep.
Not sure how to bring more gratitude into your life? Read our post “13 simple ways to feel more grateful every day.”
Be more mindful.
Finding the time to wind down and let go of the day’s events is important before bedtime. And there’s no better way to do that than by doing a mindfulness meditation before bed.
Don’t believe us? Research backs this up. Turns out, mindfulness meditation may even help fight insomnia.
If you’re looking for a little guidance on how to meditate before bed, read this post from Sleep.org.
To bring more mindfulness into your life, check out these simple tips on how to live more mindfully this year.
Practice yoga before bedtime.
You may think of yoga as a morning or daytime activity, but spending some quality time on your yoga mat before bedtime may help you fall asleep quicker – and sleep better.
Keen to try a few pre-slumber yoga poses? Read this post in the Yoga Journal.
And for the perfect yoga-friendly outfit, check out our “Yogi Mode” collection! While you’re practicing pre-slumber asanas, we’ll be donating part of our profits to environmental and animal organizations!
Want to know more about the power of plant-based foods? Check out these other blog posts:
