Good Sleep Guide

• Make sure your bed and bedroom are comfortable, ei, noise, temperature, light, etc.
• Don't use your bed for things other than sleep or intimate moments: no tv, no computer, no homework.

• Before going to bed, listen to relaxing music, meditate, take a bath, read a book, etc. It’s not the time to pay your bills!
• Do not address any pending issues; it is not the time to worry. Anxiety is the main cause of insomnia.
• Go to bed when you feel sleepy. If you are not tired, do a relaxing activity.
• Get up if you are worrying or not asleep after 30 minutes and do something relaxing.
• Go to bed and get up at your regular time even on your day off. This helps to regulate your biological clock.

• Exercise regularly. It can help to fall asleep easier and promote a much deeper sleep.
• Avoid exercise 2-3 hours before bedtime as it may affect your sleep.
• Having sexual relations is great exercise just before falling asleep; it stimulates endorphin hormone production which promotes relaxation.

• Don't go to bed with an empty stomach. A light snack may help you to fall asleep but a hearty spicy meal may affect it. Supper should be finished 2-3 hours before going to bed.
• Avoid nicotine, caffeine (coffee, chocolate, tea, energizing drinks, etc) and alcohol close to bedtime.
• Do not drink too much before going to bed to prevent nighttime visits to the bathroom.

It is preferable to have an evening meal low in protein and rich in low glycemic index carbohydrates. These 2 elements generate a great concentration of tryptophan which will be transformed into hormones (serotonin and melatonin), contributing to a good night rest.

Some minerals and vitamins play an important role in brain chemical balance. A nutritional deficit may have an impact on sleep quality. If you suffer from insomnia, make sure you get enough of iron, zinc calcium, magnesium and B-Complex vitamins.

• Check whether any medicines you are taking may be affecting your sleep.
• Sleeping pills may help for a short period of time for insomnia due to stress. However, they do not promote a good night rest like natural sleep can. They often come with side effects such as anxiety, memory problems, drowsiness, hangover, etc.

• Don't take naps during the day if you suffer from insomnia.
• However, short naps (10 minutes) may have a positive impact on counteracting fatigue; improving intellectual activities and energy levels.

A sleep diary is a record of an individual's sleeping and waking times with related information, usually over a period of several weeks.

In addition to being a useful tool for health care practitioners in the diagnosis of sleep problems, a sleep diary can help make individuals more aware of the parameters affecting their sleep.

This data alone can help people pin point factors favouring good sleep.

Click here to download your FREE sleep diary