Overcoming bedtime barriers
Do you struggle to go to bed on time each night? You’re not alone. The good news is that if you are a sleep procrastinator there are steps you can take to change your habits.
Most of us know that sleep is important but we may not realize the serious consequences of sleep deprivation. Chronic lack of sleep doesn’t just make you tired; it can increase your risk of a variety of health conditions, including cardiovascular disease, diabetes, obesity, and depression. When you’re scrolling on social media at 1 am, remind yourself of the negative impacts that this will have on your long-term health!
However, sometimes developing new habits takes more than just a reminder. If you find sticking to a consistent bedtime a challenge, start by identifying what your barriers are.
Barriers to Bedtime
Everybody will experience their own bedtime barriers but there are some more common ones. Identifying yours will make it much easier to overcome them.
Here are three common bedtime barriers
- Social media
- Enjoying “me” time
- Too stressed to sleep
Bedtime Strategies
Do you find yourself looking at your phone for a few minutes before you go to bed only to discover that those minutes have become hours? If so, establishing a bedtime routine can help. If you enjoy a bedtime activity, try reading a book (but not on your phone), journaling or taking a warm bath.
Sometimes after a busy day the only moments we have for personal time are those before bed. While making time for yourself is extremely important, it ideally shouldn’t come at the cost of a good night’s sleep. To help combat this, try scheduling personal time during the day. Even a 15-minute block of time can do wonders for your overall wellbeing. Taking time during the day for yourself will not only help you feel more energized and productive but will also help you to find a better balance in the evening between “me” time and sleep time.
Stress can impact not just our ability to fall asleep, it can also undermine the quality of our sleep. This makes finding tools to help you manage stress important. Try practicing relaxing habits in the evening to help you unwind. Additionally, try limiting (or eliminating) coffee and alcohol, meditating or practicing breathing exercises.