How you spend your evening could play a major role in how well you sleep.
You know you need to go to sleep but you’re riveted by the show you’ve been binging on Netflix. Before you know it, it’s after midnight. You crawl into bed but you find it difficult to fall asleep. Has this ever happened to you? Chances are good it has. Our Bradenton, FL, sleep medicine specialist Dr. Jeremy McConnell sees many people who have trouble sleeping due to poor sleep habits. Here’s what you could be doing to contribute to poor sleep,
Electronics and Sleep
It seems like we spend all day, every day on our phones or in front of computer screens. So, it shouldn’t come as much of a surprise that these gadgets could also be keeping us awake at night. Everything from working late to playing video games or reading on your Kindle could affect your sleep, as the blue light that your electronics emit can suppress melatonin. This is why it’s a good idea to put all electronics away at least 2-3 hours before bedtime. If you have to use electronics, you may want to wear blue light blocking glasses at night.
Exercise and Sleep
We all know the importance and benefits of regular physical activity; however, exercising too close to bedtime could make it difficult to sleep. That’s because your body is pumping out endorphins while working out, which stimulates the brain and body. Instead of working out at night, you may want to try switching to a daytime or early afternoon workout to reap the benefits of exercise without causing sleep issues.
Mealtime and Sleep
Your diet can also impact the quality of your sleep; more specifically, when you choose to eat. Eating late at night might make you feel a bit sleepy but unfortunately, digestion can hinder your ability to actually fall asleep. This is why you should aim to eat the biggest meals during the afternoon, with a smaller meal in the evening. Make sure to load up on healthy lean protein to reduce those evening snack cravings.
If you are having trouble getting your sleep on track despite practicing good sleep hygiene, it may be time to see our Bradenton, FL, sleep specialist find out what’s going on. We can help treat any sleep disorders here at Florida Sleep Specialists. Just call us at (941) 792-8383.