Comfy Homer

Contrary to what some people think, sleep is very important.  It also isn’t the same for everyone.  Some people need the suggested 8 hours.  Others need more and others can function on less.  It’s about finding what works for you.  Unfortunately, broken sleep can be caused by outside influence and lead to a lot of health problems.  Weight gain, fatigue, unhealthy eating for energy, heart problems, brain problems, and the list can keep going as to what can happen.  As for the causes, you have stress, sleep apnea, noises, uncomfortable beds, room temperature, restless partners, and that list goes on as well.  So, what are some unscientific tips to sleep?

1. Don’t compare your sleep habits to others.  This can result in you trying to copy someone when your body needs a different system.  For example, a friend might nap a lot and this allows them to sleep less at night.  You might be able to mimic that, but your body might have different needs.  This is compounded by your schedule and life possibly being different enough that naps aren’t going to help.
2. If you snore, don’t feel shame.  Yes, this could be a sign of sleep apnea and other physical issues.  Note that I said physical.  You’re already possibly getting less sleep than you realize, but stressing about snoring can cause you to make things worse.  It isn’t like you do this on purpose even though fiction and certain members of society act like snoring is a conscious act.  Talk to a doctor about it if it becomes a major problem and see what can be done.
3. If you have a night job and need to sleep during the day, you may want to create a more peaceful atmosphere.  Silence all phones, get sun-blocking curtains to go over windows, and maybe noise-cancelling headphones.  Unfortunately, night jobs are common, but society operates as if everyone is awake during the day.  So, you need to find ways to increase your chances of an undisturbed sleep.
4. Try not to go to bed excited or stressed.  These emotions will not dissolve the moment your eyes close.  In fact, they may mean that you are not going to get enough deep sleep to fully recover your energy.  The human body wakes up through cortisol, which comes from the adrenal gland and is increased under stress.  If you already have a lot in your system, you could wake up with a panic attack and/or very early.
5. Constantly having a bad night’s sleep could have something to do with your bed.  It’s expensive to get a new mattress, but you might be able to get a pad to put under the sheets.  There are also cool pillows, cooling pillowcases, cooling sheets, and other linens designed to give you a more comfortable sleep.  Can’t go wrong with a weighted blanket too, but these work best if you don’t share the bed.
6. Try to give yourself 30-60 minutes of non-screen time before bed.  This way, your mind and senses aren’t still overly stimulated from what you were watching.  Meditation, reading, and other non-electronic activities can help your body come down enough for sleep to be easier.
7. Pick an alarm that isn’t going to jolt you out of bed.  This can undo a lot of the progress you made while sleeping.  It means you start the day stressed, startled, and pumping adrenaline.  Better alarms are softer ones, especially those that begin low and gradually get louder.