Ramp Up Your Rest: How to Sleep Better Naturally

When I assess clients to see what their issues are, I routinely ask how they're sleeping. I've done this for years and I'm always amazed at how many people do NOT sleep well on a regular basis.

Why Sleep Matters So Much

Insomnia can have serious consequences. When you're sleep-deprived, you may depend on caffeine and sugar to get going in the morning, skip or shorten your exercise time, stop for fatty high-calorie takeout instead of cooking healthy meals, and experience brain fog that leads to poor decisions and memory lapses.

Natural Sleep Improvement Tips

If this is an ongoing issue for you, try the following:

• Turn off ALL electronics an hour before bedtime
• During that hour, read a book or take a warm bath or shower
• Make sure your room is dark and cool
• Make your bed as comfortable as possible — have good quality pillows and bed linens
• Do not allow animals or children to sleep in the bed with you
• Have a white noise machine and/or a nature sound machine in your room
• Try a cup of chamomile tea
• Have an essential oil diffuser in your room and put lavender oil in it
• Do not watch TV, work, or argue in your bedroom — reserve it for sleep

It's Worth the Effort

It may take some time to find a sleep routine that works for you, but it's totally worth it. Regularly sleeping well helps keep you focused, alert, happy and healthy. And it's exactly what you deserve!