3 bedtime habits that can lead to a bad night’s sleep

There are many factors that go into having a restful night’s sleep, but some of the most important things you can do to wake up feeling refreshed occur a couple of hours before you hit the hay. In this blog, we’ll take a look at 3 things you might be doing before bed that can lead to a bad night’s sleep.

3 bedtime habits that lead to a bad night’s sleep

Taking certain medications

If you are experiencing sleep issues and regularly take supplements or medications, ask your doctor what time of day you should be taking your dosage. Some medications, like antidepressants, can make you more alert for several hours after you take them while pain medications can upset your stomach and make it more difficult for you to fall asleep. Sleeping pills can also cause long-term issues, so if you are taking them frequently, ask your doctor if there are any other options that might be better for you.

Eating spicy or fatty foods

Having a big meal shortly before you go to bed can make it uncomfortable to fall asleep if you are painfully full or bloated. Fatty or spicy foods can be particularly risky because they can cause acid reflux when you lie down in bed. As a rule, it’s best to avoid eating a meal within the 2 hours before you go to bed so that your body has enough time to start to digest it. If you can’t avoid eating something before you go to bed, try to stick to foods that promote sleep, such as a glass of milk or simple carbohydrates.

Drinking alcohol

Because alcohol makes you feel drowsy, many people are under the impression that drinking it before bed can result in a better night’s sleep, but this is not the case. As your body metabolises alcohol, it can interrupt your REM sleep cycle, which is the restorative period during sleep. Interrupted REM sleep can make it difficult for you to concentrate the next day and you’ll likely wake up feeling tired and groggy. Having a glass of wine or two during dinner is fine, but drinking shortly before you go to bed is best avoided. If you suffer from sleep apnea and are in need of an effective CPAP mask, take a look at our 3D fitted mask at ApneaSeal today.