Re-energize yourself this weekend by catching up on
that much needed beauty sleep
Updated on 11th November 2007
By Ronald Wan
Having eough sleep is impportant
UNLESS you’re some famous celebrity doing a world tour or a yuppie clinching five-figure deals everyday, you ought to be having regular sleep. Our point here is that sleep is important and more often than not, we always don’t sleep well or catch enough winks. How many times have you woken up complaining of not having enough sleep and dragging yourself to work all weary and sleepy?
Babies sleep about 17 hours everyday while older children sleep about 10 hours each night. We adults need about 7-8 hours of sleep, but it varies with individuals. As we get older, we tend to wake up more easily, so here’s a piece of advice: when you’re still worthy of age, get your regular sleep.
Here are some simple suggestions on how to sleep better and get the most out of it.
The environment in which you sleep in is important. So paint your room’s walls pastel or bright shades to make it appear more spacious.
Your mattress support shouldn’t be so firm that your hips and shoulders are under pressure, or so soft that your body sags into as you sleep.
Replace the mattress every time you feel it’s getting to lumpy and soft. When you go mattress shopping, do test it out thoroughly – not by bouncing your butt up and down on it, but lying down on it to get the entire feel.
Exercise a few hours prior to your sleep, preferably in the late evening. This will allow the body to settle down and condition itself for a restful sleep when you get to bed.
Ease your mind during bedtime. Read a nice book, light aromatherapy oils, candles, or write a lengthy entry in your diary while playing Norah Jones in the background. These soothing activities will prep the brain to slow down, and gradually fall into sleep.
When you finally decide to tuck in, make sure your room is conducive. Turn off all the lights, and make sure you’re cool and snug.
Avoid tea, coffee, and naps by mid-afternoon. The caffeine will linger and prevent you from sleeping later on in the night, and long naps would throw you off your sleeping cycle.
Although alcohol might help some of you fall asleep, it might also cause some to wake up in the middle of the night, resulting in a disrupted sleep.
If all else fails, watch a golf tournament on TV. It never failed to switch me to sleep mode within 15 minutes.
