9 Recommendations for Sleep Hygiene

Improve the quality of your sleep... If you are having trouble viewing this email, [click here.]( You are receiving this email because you have expressed an interest in quality health and lifestyle tips. You can remove your email by clicking [unsubscribe]( at any time, or simply reply back to this email asking to be removed.  Here's Today's Tip... Sleep Recommendations‏. Are you looking to improve the quality of your sleep and properly set your body’s internal clock? Look no further. Here are some of our top tips. - Time in bed. Make sure you are setting yourself up for success by being in bed for 7 to 9 hours per night. - Routine. Work on going to bed and getting up at the same time every day. My personal solution? Have a baby. Our daughter doesn’t know the difference between Tuesday and Friday. She’s up at the same time EVERY day. - Be active. Being physically and mentally active during the day can help you sleep better at night. In general, regular exercise improves sleep quality; however, some may find that intense exercise close to bedtime may have a negative effect on sleep. Regular exercise also seems to help regulate circadian rhythms, and there is some evidence that suggests the benefits of exercise may be maximized when it’s done in the afternoon or early evening. - Block blue light in the evening. Arguably one of the biggest factors disrupting circadian rhythms in today’s society is our exposure to blue light, which is ubiquitous in the forms of fluorescent lightbulbs, cell phones, tablets, computer monitors, TV screens, and more. Blue light suppresses melatonin production, delaying feelings of sleepiness and the onset of our nighttime cycle, disrupting circadian rhythms and sleep. Try the following strategies 2 to 3 hours before bed: - Avoid TV and computer screens - Use the app f.lux if you must use your computer - Use a similar app if you must use your smartphone (i.e., Night Shift for iPhones) - Dim your lights - Use amber-tinted light bulbs - Wear amber-tinted glasses - Blackout your room. At night, make your room as dark as possible, using dark curtains and removing all sources of artificial light. - Chill out. The ideal bedroom temperature range, between 60 and 67 degrees, can help your body naturally cool, which helps facilitate sleep. - Watch what you drink. Research shows that drinking caffeine-containing beverages even 6 hours before bedtime can have important disruptive effects on sleep. Thus, it’s best to cut off caffeine more than 6 hours before bedtime. And while alcohol may help you fall asleep, it disrupts sleep quality and reduces REM sleep in a dose-dependent manner. In other words, the more you drink, the worse you sleep. - Watch what you eat. Obviously, you don’t want to go to bed too hungry or too full. Generally speaking, it’s best to avoid large mixed meals within a couple hours of bedtime. If you need to eat something after that, a small, healthy snack (~150 calories), such as a protein shake, a piece of fruit, or a handful of nuts, can be beneficial for weight management, appetite control, and body composition. - Take a dump. A “brain dump” that is. If you’re the type of person whose wheels start turning uncontrollable as soon as your head hits the pillow, have a notepad handy on your nightstand. Write down ideas, important thoughts, etc. This can help quiet your mind, and you can also take an honest look to see if there’s anything that you HAVE to do at that very moment. Experiment with one or more of these sleep hygiene tips tonight!  Are you struggling with sleep issues? Sometimes I have bad sleep issues… I toss and turn for hours.  That’s why I tried [this delicious hot chocolate]( specifically formulated to encourage restful sleep…  At first, I had my doubts…  Then one mug later...  I slept SOLID like a rock, ALL night long!  I woke up feeling clear, happy and relaxed…  So, if you struggle to sleep well (and you hate the scary side effects of sleeping pills) I recommend [you try this delicious hot chocolate.](  Here are just a few benefits:  → You start feeling sleepy within 12 minutes of drinking. → You sleep all the way through the night. Totally unbroken sleep. → You soothe and relax your sore muscles and joints. → You wake up feeling AMAZING for a change!  This is going to FLY off the shelves. [Grab your discounted hot chocolate sleep solution here]( before it runs out!  Change That Up   This email was sent to {EMAIL} by support@changethatup.com 7339 E Williams Dr. Suite 26375 Scottsdale, AZ 85255 [Edit Profile]( | [Manage Subscriptions]( | [Report Spam](