How to Sleep Better: 20 Science-Backed Tips for The Best Sleep of Your Life (Part 1)

December 22, 2021

For centuries, we took sleep for granted and had a limited understanding of how it impacted our body and health. Due to advancements in science, today we know how important sleep is While we sleep, our body reboots, repairs, and recovers rapidly, making sleep necessary for survival, much like food and water.

But in this always-connected, productivity-obsessed culture, getting quality sleep is a distant dream for many. About one in four Americans develop insomnia every year due to social pressures, stress, and responsibilities that consume our thoughts and can impact sleep.

About 35% of Americans are sleep deprived, costing the nation $411 billion annually. Poor sleep affects our physical, mental, and emotional well-being. Lack of sleep leads to poor concentration levels, weak judgment, slow reaction time, mood swings, weight gain, and low quality of life-it’s no wonder we are constantly looking for ways to improve our sleep quality.

If you’re looking to improve your sleep, here are 20 science-backed tips to help you get the best sleep of your life.

• 1. Stick To A Schedule

One of the most important ways to improve your sleep is to set a consistent bedtime. Sometimes, this isn’t always possible due to life getting in the way. However, if you truly want to transform your sleep, staying on a consistent sleep/wake schedule is the way to go.

Staying on a sleep schedule consistently is shown to improve sleep quality and decrease your chances of metabolic diseases.

• 2. Find Out How Much Sleep You Need

Everyone’s sleep needs are different, but we all need it! Whether you can feel great with 7 hours or sleep or need a more robust 9, knowing what works best for your body is another key to better sleep. Our sleep needs change as we age, with the average adult needing 7-9 hours of sleep.

Your gender also contributes to your need for sleep. On average, women need more sleep than men. Studies have shown that women get an average of 11 more minutes of sleep each night than men. Women are more likely to nap than men and spend more time in deep sleep.

• 3. Check Your Cortisol Levels

The hormones and chemicals in our body are responsible for regulating our moods, hunger, and can even impact our sleep. Cortisol, called “the stress hormone”, also plays a role in sleep regulation. Cortisol also impacts weight, metabolism, energy, and inflammation. Hormonal changes can disrupt sleep patterns and sleep loss can cause hormonal changes, leading to a vicious cycle.

Like sleep, cortisol follows a circadian rhythm. Around midnight, cortisol production is the lowest it is all day. It reaches its peak around an hour after you wake up. Studies have shown that those with insomnia have higher levels of cortisol. If you’ve been experiencing insomnia, weight gain, inflammation, or issues with energy, ask your doctor for a cortisol blood test to see if your levels are normal.

• 4. Keep Your Room Cool

If you notice you sleep better in a cool room, you’re right and science is on your side. Room and body temperature both help regulate sleep. Your body temperature lowers at night and sleeping in a cooler room will help keep temperatures low and ensure you stay asleep.

According to research, the optimal temperature to keep your room is anywhere from 65 to 70 degrees for the best sleep. If this seems too cold but you’ve been waking up sweating and uncomfortable, try it out for a few nights and see how you do. If it’s still too cold for you, turn up the thermostat to the most comfortable temperature for you.

• 5. Exercise

If you’re wanting to live a more healthy lifestyle and improve your sleep, engaging in regular exercise is vital. One of the best science-backed ways to improve sleep, regular exercise is proven to decrease insomnia and shorten the amount of time it takes to fall asleep.

While exercise is important to sleep, avoiding going too hard and participating in strenuous exercise before bed. Intense exercise can have the opposite effect and leave you lying awake at night.

Exercise stimulates the hormones epinephrine and adrenaline that aid in alertness. Not everyone who exercises too close to bedtime will have trouble falling asleep, according to some research. When trying out a new exercise routine, experiment with different times of the day and see how it impacts your sleep.

• 6. Avoid Certain Medications Before Bed

Many of us take medications before bedtime. While some, like sleep aids and supplements, are designed to help you sleep, some necessary medications can disrupt sleep and leave you feeling groggy and unrested.

Here’s a list of some medications that can keep you awake:

Asthma medications (Albuterol and Corticosteroids)
Nasal decongestants (Pseudoephedrine and Oxymetazoline)
ADHD medications (Dextroamphetamine and Methylphenidate)
Thyroid hormone replacement (Levothyroxine)
Share: