Last Update: September 28, 2022
Getting enough sleep is one of the simplest and most important things you can do for your health.
Our bodies need sleep to recharge mentally and physically for the next day. While this is a no-brainer for most of us, actually getting a good night’s sleep can sometimes be a challenge.
We field questions all the time from Thrivers who are having restless nights. In this installment, we asked our resident Health Coach, Jennifer Hall Taylor from Buckwheat to Butter to fill us in on a quick tip to get a more peaceful nights sleep.
I find it hard to switch off at night before bed and it takes me ages to fall asleep even though I feel so tired. How can I get a better night’s rest?
Often, the most common culprit for a wired mind before bed these days is technology. Are you watching TV, texting, or looking at your computer screen before bed? If the answer is yes, that’s the first place to start. Looking at a screen — whether it’s a TV, a backlit e-reader, a phone or a computer — can greatly interfere with sleep and the brain’s ability to quiet itself before bed. One Harvard study suggested that the blue light emitted by LED lights in screens interferes with the body’s production of melatonin, the hormone that helps regulate sleep, so even if you feel drowsy while watching a movie on your laptop in bed, you find it hard to fall asleep afterward or find that your sleep is less restful than you want it to be. Texting or checking your email before bed can have a similarly disturbing effect on sleep patterns, often because it gets your brain stimulated, thinking about the things you have to do tomorrow or the meeting you have to prepare for. Instead of allowing for the day to come to a close, you fall asleep already anxious about what is to come. Here are a few ideas for how to improve your sleep.
Want more tips? Check out these all natural remedies for catching more z’s and waking up with more energy!
A health coach is a wellness professional and mentor who provides resources and support to people looking to make and sustain healthy choices to their diets and lifestyles. Our resident holistic health coach, Jennifer Hall Taylor of Buckwheat To Butter, draws from a wide range of dietary, exercise and mindfulness theories in her practice, to encourage each person to find his or her unique path to optimal health. We’ve asked Jennifer to answer our burning health-related questions from readers like you.
Photo credit: Parachute Home
Jennifer Hall Taylor is a Certified Holistic Health Coach and Private Chef. She creates customized wellness programs for a varied clientele all over the country, helping each person create his or her own unique roadmap to optimal health. There are many roads to health. Walk your own path.
Download the app for easy shopping on the go
By providing your mobile number, you agree to receive marketing text messages from Thrive Market. Consent not a condition to purchase. Msg & data rates apply. Msg frequency varies. Reply HELP for help and STOP to cancel.
This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.