Getting good sleep may be one of the most important factors on happiness, health, and hanging on to those youthful good looks that you have. If only if it were as easy as being a cat.
Living in an apartment gives you an opportunity to get better sleep than any other living situation. It's warmer than a cardboard box. It's your own place, so Mom doesn't come screaming about breakfast when you are trying to sleep. Most importantly, you don't have to lose sleep about the money that you are spending on repairs and maintenance to a home you own. All you have to do is call the office.
Your new apartment seems to have the most relaxing ambiance in the world, so why is it that every time you’re ready to hit the hay you seem to find yourself staring blankly at the bedroom ceiling? Before you decide to check yourself into the nearest sleep deprivation tank, try adjusting your new living quarters to create a more snooze-inducing environment.
There are a few things out there that can help you sleep more soundly at night in your apartment.
Set A Schedule
First things first – set yourself a realistic schedule and do your best to stick to it. Set a weekday bedtime that is reasonable (say 10pm), as going to bed too early may lead to middle of the night awakenings. Too late and you’ll be hard to deal with in the morning, so bridge the gap by deciding ahead of time how much sleep you require on a nightly basis and work from there.
Stick to It
Once you’ve determined a good bedtime, it’s important to start to ‘train’ your brain to shut off around that time. Try and retire about 30 minutes prior to your actual ‘sleep time’, and engage in a relaxing activity such as reading or a crossword puzzle. Avoid doing things like take-home work or watching the news, as these may give you anxiety.
White Noise
So-called ‘white noise’ can often be a great addition to an apartment, so try placing a small fan or humidifier in the bedroom. Both are also excellent ways to help regulate temperature as well (another big culprit when it comes to sleep issues), so set them accordingly to make sure you are comfortable. Block out curtains can help keep your bedroom dark, especially if your apartment community features a lot of street lamps.
Avoid the Jitters
Avoid caffeine and alcohol prior to bedtime as well, and playing some soft, ambient music might just be the key to putting your mind at ease.
Sleep on Your Side
Sometimes trouble sleeping can be applied to the actual way you are sleeping. If you sleep on your back, your mouth has a tendency to hang open. This causes wake-ups with a dry sore throat and loud snoring that can wake you or your significant other as you breath from your mouth. Try intentionally laying on your side or stomach as you fall asleep. You could even scotch tape your mouth shut if you wanted. Ha! Really though, try switching it up and see if it makes a difference or turn down your fan when you are down for the count. A fan on blast will certainly circulate the air, but it can also stir up dry air and late night cedar fever. And more SNORING.
Rest Your Mind
Ever been laying in bed and can't stop thinking about something that has you tossing and turning for hours? Of course you have. You should practice what is called "thought stopping." As the thought creeps into your head, tell yourself to "STOP." If it creeps back, do it again. The word Stop!forces an immediate shifting of our attention, which will lead us away from preoccupying thoughts. Worrying about having to be asleep will only cause anxiety and keep you awake. Try and relax your mind. Sleep will soon follow.
Sleep Items
From aromatherapy aides to relaxing sounds or music to a warming blanket, there are a number of items available that can help you get a few more zzzz's. The important thing is to try a few and see what works.
My friend's Granny used to always have a hot toddy before sleep. His Grandpa had a shot of whiskey. Neither one of them ever had sleeping problems. I would hate to know the long lasting effect it had on their livers though, so if you use that therapy, make sure it's a last resort.
Oh - one last thing...If you have roommates, be sure and let them know that you are starting a new sleep schedule to ideally limit their noise after a reasonable hour.
Get some rest!
