Put The Phone Away: 9 Tips For A Good Night's Sleep

Why is it so difficult to actually have a good night sleep? Between taking ages to fall asleep, to weird dreams that wake you up in the middle of the night, it can be hard to feel refreshed when the alarm clock eventually goes off.  Getting that coveted seven hours beauty sleep can be impossible sometimes, but if you use these tips then you'll be on your way to Dream Land a lot quicker:

1) Put your phone away.

I know how distracting your phone can be, but looking at a screen that bright, and then trying to go to sleep is not a good idea. The screen keeps your mind awake a lot longer than you want, and makes it hard to relax. So when you think it's time to go to bed, put your phone away for an hour before you want to sleep. Turn it over, put it on the ground or even just turn it off. Avoid the screen, and you will sleep more easily. It's hard, but it will be worth it.

2) Read.

Not tweets, but an actual book. Reading will relax your mind, and make you feel tired quicker. Plus, the pages won't burn your eyes and will make the transition from light to dark that bit easier. Woo!

3) Keep warm.

Or cool, whatever is your preference. I find I sleep quicker and better when I'm warm, so I stock up on fluffy socks and hot water bottles when I want a good sleep. Keep comfortable and you're bound to doze off easily.

4) Save your snoozes until the evening.

Try and limit your naps during the day. It may be difficult if you're exhausted, but your body will thank you when ten o'clock comes and you can get a full nights sleep.

5) Remove any light.

It took me a while to try this, but it worked so quickly. Pull your curtains, close your door and block out any light. This will settle your mind and make you sleep easier.

6) Write down your worries.

It can be impossible to sleep if you're worried about something, so do your best to remove these concerns by writing them down. That way, they're gone from your mind, for the night at least.

7) Lavender.

Putting a few drops of lavender oil on your pillow will relax you; lavender is one of the most relaxing oils out there. A little bit of lavender goes a long way though, so don't over do it, or you might end up sneezing the whole night.

8) Time your snacks well.

Try not to eat anything an hour before you go to bed, as anything sugary or with caffeine will keep you awake longer. If you do have to eat, something warm is best as it makes you feel sleepy and full on the inside.

9) Do something instead of lying there.

If you're lying in bed but still can't sleep, try reading or getting up and doing something instead of tossing and turning. Lying there trying to sleep will not help you, it's better to get up and try rectify the problem. And most times, the later it is the quicker you will get tired if you do get out of bed because you're subconsciously tired, so reading a few more pages of your book might do the trick and send you off to catch some z's.