Better Sleep, Part 1

Sleeping is not always easy, especially as we get older. I've struggled with this, so I want to share some things I've learned that you might not have heard yet.

One of the things I've put into practice in the last year, and it seems to have helped a lot, is having no light in the room where we sleep. I even turn my alarm clock away from me so the light is not shining in my face.

If you get up in the night to go to the bathroom, it's best to have very little or no light in order to not bring your body into a wakeful state. You should try not to expose yourself to bright light at bedtime (which is hard if you like to read). The experts say we should turn off the computer and the television at least an hour before we want to go to sleep.

It's all because of something called a pineal gland in our brain that regulates melatonin and affects our sleep patterns. If it detects any light, even with our eyelids closed, it can affect our sleep.

Another thing I've heard from more than one health professional say: that an hour of sleep before midnight is worth two hours of sleep after midnight, because it optimizes melatonin production. It's not an easy thing these days to go to bed early, but it may be well worth it if you're not getting enough quality sleep. More tomorrow....