How to Adjust Your Sleep Routine During Summer
Submitted by New Jersey Snoring Solutions on Mon 08/27/2018 - 09:00
For many of us, the summer months mean traveling, social gatherings and staying out late. The uptick in activities, however, sometimes comes at the risk of losing a good night’s rest. If a change in your schedule has you missing out on sleep this summer, Dr. Ivan Stein of New Jersey Sleep Apnea Solutions offers the following tips to help you get a better night’s rest.
Change Your Bedtime but Don’t Sleep Less
It’s natural for us to want to go to sleep later due to the extra daylight and longer days during the summer. Still, it’s important to avoid depriving ourselves of sleep. Aim to get at least seven hours of sleep a night. If the following day you notice yourself significantly tired, especially between the hours of noon and 4 p.m., chances are you could benefit from adjusting your bedtime to squeeze in more sleep.
Practice a Pre-Sleep Routine
Practicing a pre-sleep routine every night helps you unwind and put you in the right mood and mindset for sleep. Even if your schedule is a bit hectic during the summer, dedicate an hour or 30 minutes to a relaxing pre-bedtime routine. Pre-sleep routines include taking a shower or bath, meditation and/or mindfulness exercises.
Make Some Sacrifices
You may find yourself spending more time outdoors or making plans with family and friends during the summer than you tend to during the colder months. If this is the case, be sure to swap these activities for other ones, like scrolling on your phone or watching TV before going to bed. The goal is to stick to your usual bedtime as closely as possible. If you are getting home later because you’re out having summer fun, nix TV or phone time.
Create a Summer ‘Sleep Sanctuary’
The rise in temperature may mean changes need to be made to your “sleep sanctuary” so you can sleep comfortably and peacefully. During the summer months, swap your regular linens to thinner, lighter ones. If you still wake up sweating or uncomfortably hot, you may want to invest in air conditioning or a fan. Consider blackout curtains or sleeping with a sleep mask to keep the extra sunshine from disturbing your sleep.
A good night’s rest is crucial to your overall health. If you would like to schedule a consultation with sleep specialist Dr. Stein, please call New Jersey Sleep Apnea Solutions at (855) WHY-SNORE or (855) 949-7667 today.