Sleep is one of those things everyone seems to have advice on. Growing up, I remember my mother telling me that eating cheese before bed would give me nightmares. Turns out, it doesn’t. A doctor debunks other myths for us, like whether there is a cure to sleepwalking (there isn’t) and radiation from our cell phones killing us while we dream (nope, not true).
It also turns out there is such a thing as sleeping too much, and menstruation actually affects a woman’s sleeping habits. Damn you, hormones.
Something else you might not know about sleep: we really need it to stay healthy. “In the long term, sleep is important for the health of our hearts, lowers our blood pressure, reduces our risk of diabetes, and is vital for boosting our immune system.”
May these sleep facts help you work towards a life of feeling less tired all the time, and more okay with eating cheese.
1. Make your bedroom your retreat
Keep your room tidy, cool and dark.
We reckon all sleep issues stem from the days when being sent to your room was a punishment. Flip that; it’s a reward. Keep fresh flowers, a quality mattress, sleep-worthy sheets and your favorite PJs by your bed. Keep your bedside table decluttered.
Add a diffuser spiced with lavender essential oil for extra relaxation. Watch this TEDTalk on sleep. (Post continues after video).
