Ways to help yourself go to bed earlier
THERE are so many great reasons not to go to bed early but if you find yourself regretting hours spent scrolling on your smartphone late into the night, help is at hand.
Here are four ways you can nudge yourself into getting an earlier night – trust us, your morning self will be grateful.
Tip 1: Bear the consequences in mind
Putting off going to sleep can soon lead to the more serious sleep deprivation, which should be avoided, says sleep specialist medic Alfred Wiater.
After all, you need sleep to keep your immune system, cardiovascular system and metabolism ticking along healthily. A sleep deficit will also raise your risk for mistakes and accidents, Wiater says.
Tip 2: Understand what makes you procrastinate
Ask yourself what is making you procrastinate when it comes to heading off to bed, says psychologist Anna Hocker. Is it about finally getting a bit of time to yourself?
“Then you should bring more joy, lightness, freedom and meaningful activities into your day, so that you don’t feel you have to steal this from the night,” says Hocker.
Tip 3: Discipline thanks to alarm clock
The most important measure is to set an alarm clock, says Wiater and what he means is not when you want to get up but when you want to go to bed.
The alarm will remind you of the time when you should usually go to bed in order to get the sleep you need.
Tip 4: Create your own routine to help you wind down
Everyone rests better with an evening ritual, say sleep specialists. So try swapping scrolling on your smartphone for reading, doing a crossword or a set of relaxation exercises, as all that will help you drop off to sleep sooner. – dpa