A Good Night's Sleep

I am currently reading a book titled Is your Teen Stressed or Depressed: A Practical and Inspirational Guide for Parents of Hurting Teenagers. It is an excellent book and I highly recommend it...especially if you have teenagers in your home.
One of the points this book highlights is the importance of sleep for an adolescent (I might add for all of us.) Did you know that research shows a teen needs ten hours of sleep a day!!!! WOW! Anyway, the authors gave some practical suggestions for how to get a good night sleep and I thought I would pass them on to you.
1. Go to bed at the same time and get up at the same time. We all have an internal clock and if we are not going to bed at the same time each night this clock continually resets. It is like daylight savings time every day.
2. Create a comfortable sleeping environment.
- Light- Keep the bedroom dark. Darkness helps the brain produce melatonin which is the hibernation hormone that helps us sleep.
- Function- Make the bedroom a bedroom. Do not have a computer or TV in the room. Make it a stress free room.
3. Create relaxing bedtime routines.
4. Journal and make notes, if necessary- Keep a "yellow pad" beside your bed. if you find your brain racing about the next days activities or a looming project write your thoughts down so your brain does not keep reminding you or keep you awake worrying.
5. Exercise regularly, but not before bed. Exercise is an essential part of a healthy life, but doing it right before bed will revitalize your adrenal system.
6. Avoid heavy meals, spicy foods and stimulating substances (chocolate, coffee).

So there you have it, some simple yet important tips for getting a good night rest.
Check back soon for another post.