WHAT IS POOR SLEEP HYGIENE? A CLOSER LOOK AT HEALTHY SLEEP HABITS…

What is poor sleep hygiene, really?

That term “sleep hygiene” has become a bit of a buzzword over the last few years. People are always talking about how you have to have good sleep hygiene, or how poor sleep hygiene is interfering with their lives.

But what does that even mean?

Below, we’re going to take a closer look at what is poor sleep hygiene and how a few daily choices can ruin your sleep quality.

By the end of this page, you’re going to know what’s causing your sleep problems, and you’ll know what areas need to be improved so you can sleep better every night.

What is Poor Sleep Hygiene?

Poor sleep hygiene—sometimes called “inadequate sleep hygiene”—is basically poor sleep quality as a result of your bedtime habits, daily routines, and sleep patterns.

It’s typically characterized by insomnia, restlessness, waking up repeatedly throughout the night, having to get up and use the bathroom, and daytime fatigue.

Poor sleep hygiene is usually caused by a number of factors, including but not limited to:

• 

  Excessive napping. If you sleep during the day, you throw off your body’s circadian rhythms, which can make it hard to fall asleep at night. You may find that after a daytime nap, you’re awake for 1-2 hours later than usual and unable to get sleepy enough to drift off.

• Excessive time in bed. This is a problem that’s a lot more common in our modern lives, thanks largely to our modern entertainment sources. If you spend hours lying in bed watching TV or surfing the internet on your tablet or smartphone, your natural energy-regulating functions will have a hard time shutting you down for the night. After all, you’re already prone and you should be sleeping, but because you’re keeping yourself awake (through your entertainment), your sleep quality suffers.

• Background noise. Sounds in the background can keep you from falling asleep. Some of the sounds may come from inside your home—such as from the TV playing in the next room, your children talking loudly, or some appliance or device running at full volume—or may be from traffic or city sounds from outside your home. But whatever the source, those sounds stimulate your brain and hold your attention, making it hard for your brain to shut down and let you fall asleep.

• Discomfort. Maybe you’re in pain as a result of some injury or a medical condition. Or, maybe your bed is uncomfortable—too hot, too cold, your pillow too thick or thin, your blankets too stuffy, your sheets are clinging to you, etc. Any form of discomfort can interfere with your sleep, both making it hard to fall asleep and causing you to wake up throughout the night.

• Digestive trouble.  If you eat too much before bed, you may find yourself dealing with indigestion, stomach aches, or even acid reflux (from very acidic or spicy foods).

• Temperature extremes. Most people struggle to fall asleep when it’s excessively hot, but it’s equally difficult to drift off if the temperature is too low and you can’t get warm beneath your blankets.

• Light. Light—from your TV, mobile devices, a street light, clock, or nightlight—can interfere with your sleep quality. Even with your eyelids closed, the light will stimulate your brain and stop you from falling and staying asleep.

• Irregular bedtimes. Our bodies like to find patterns and form habits, but if your bedtime is constantly changing, it can throw off your circadian rhythm.

• Sedentary lifestyle. Your body typically falls asleep most easily when it is tired, after a long day of work, exercise, and movement. Unfortunately, if you lead a sedentary lifestyle with minimal physical activity, your body won’t burn through sufficient energy to allow you to relax and drift off at night. A sedentary lifestyle can also affect your circadian rhythms and make it harder to fall asleep.

• Stimulants. Caffeine, alcohol, and nicotine can all interfere with your night’s sleep. Caffeine stimulates your nervous system and stops your brain from shutting down when it’s time to sleep. Alcohol will cause you to fall asleep more quickly but prevent you from reaching true deep sleep. Nicotine will raise your blood pressure and stimulate your nervous system.

• Excessive fluid intake. Drinking too much water late in the evening or before bed can cause you to wake up throughout the night. You will feel your bladder full or the urge to pee, and if you get out of bed to relieve yourself, you’ll find it can be quite hard to get back to sleep afterward.

• Stimulating evening activity. If your evening routine involves a lot of exercise or stimulating mental activities, you may find that it’s hard to shut down physically and mentally to fall asleep.

All of these things are going to interfere with your sleep and reduce sleep quality. It’s critical that you AVOID them at all costs!

What is Poor Sleep Hygiene? Change Your Life with PureSleep!

If you’re taking steps to correct your sleep hygiene but need an extra helping hand, give PureSleep a try.

PureSleep is a fully natural and organic supplement, made using ingredients that will repair your circadian rhythm and promote better, deeper sleep. The combination of science-backed herbal remedies will help get your sleep back on track. You’ll feel more relaxed mentally and physically, drift off faster, and stay asleep throughout the night. Plus, it can increase the time spent in deep sleep!

Give PureSleep a try as you take the steps to correct your sleep habits, and you’ll never have to wonder “What is poor sleep hygiene?” ever again.