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By Lisa Kovalovich
If you're clocking more and more hours at work during the day, chances are you're getting less and less sleep. To make the most of those precious hours of shut-eye, try these ideas:
1. Buy the right pillow. Stomach sleepers need a soft pillow; side sleepers, a medium pillow; and back sleepers, a firm pillow. Visit a bedding store for expert help on choosing the right pillow for you.
2. Exercise. Chalk up one more reason to move your body: Moderate exercise every day promotes good sleep at night.
3. Try aromatherapy. Scents such as lavender and orange help relax us for bedtime. Check out Origins' line of sleep products.
4. Keep cool. A too-warm bedroom can cause restless sleep. Make yours cooler, and just cuddle under an extra blanket if necessary.
5. Reflect. Before you drift off, take a few minutes to reflect on your day. What were your successes? Your difficulties? For what can you be grateful? This exercise helps to calm your mind.
6. Kick out the TV. Falling asleep with the TV on may seem relaxing, but in reality it can get your mind working so that your sleep is restless. Turn off the tube before bed.
7. Wear an eye mask. Even the tiniest bit of light can make falling asleep difficult. Use an eye mask to make sure you're really sleeping in the dark.
8. Try a tense-and-relax exercise. As you lie in bed, begin at your toes. Tense them up, then relax them. Work your way up your entire body until you get to your eyelids. By the time you're done, your whole body will be relaxed.
9. Do yoga. Routines specifically created to calm and center you before bedtime can work wonders in helping you clear your mind of the day's clutter.
10. Try a bath. A warm bath before bed helps make you sleepy. Add some soothing lavender bath beads for maximum effect.
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