With the new semester starting, transitioning back into a routine can be difficult. This includes adjusting sleeping habits. If you’re anything like me, getting back into an early bedtime routine can be a challenge, especially with some classes being online. Here are five tips to help you stop hitting the snooze button on your alarm clock.
Set a Time
Setting a time to go to sleep and wake up is very important for a well-balanced schedule. One thing to keep in mind is that you don’t have to drastically change the time you were previously going to bed. Try going to bed an hour earlier than you used to, and experiment with what time works best with you. This can be translated to setting your wake-up time as well.
Minimize Distractions
One of the challenges I run into around bedtime is being too busy or distracted to go to bed. A good way to minimize these distractions (especially technology) is to take them out of your line of sight at least thirty minutes before bed. Put your electronic device to charge for the night, or your schoolwork in another room. If you are worried about having too much to do, think about it as a task for you to wake up to. Once you are in bed, try not to look at the clock as it can be a distraction.
Calm Down
I know the events of the day can weigh heavy on the mind, and it can be hard to calm down. But it’s important to try and not take any of it to bed with you. The most important tip is to take a breath and practicing breathing exercises. Winding down with a good book, or a calming activity is always a good way to end the day.
Avoid Long Naps During the Day
What you do throughout the day can affect your bedtime routine in many ways. Taking a quick nap that is under one hour can help you power through the rest of your day, but too long of a nap might through off your sleep schedule. Of course, it all depends on your sleeping habits. This website is a handy tool that outlines tips and benefits of napping to improve your knowledge of your sleep schedule.
Avoid Eating Right Before Bed
Sometimes the munchies happen at the most inconvenient times, which can lead to later nights and disruption of good sleep. A good way to satisfy your late-night cravings is to try and eat a small snack thirty minutes to an hour before bed. This can be another part of your nightly routine. Here is a list of foods that are okay to eat before bed.
Everyone has different sleeping habits that work for them and their personal schedule so finding what works for you is super important. I hope these tips helped and you are bright-eyed and bushy-tailed for your classes.