5 Bad Sleeping Habits Preventing Your Good Rest

Many people blame poor quality mattresses or pillows for the results of their less than acceptable sleep at night. While there are legitimate claims to be made for old, distressed sleeping implements, in a vast number of cases, the culprits for reducing quality and quantity of sleep often lies in various other bad sleeping habits.

Those who regularly attain a quality nights rest understand the benefits to their lives. Increased energy, a feeling of being rested and having a clear mind upon waking, even performing better in their jobs, school or relationships. The positive effects to good sleep habits are so widespread one might seriously consider reevaluating the current state of their sleeping affairs.

The following list of five negative sleeping habits are far from inclusive. For those suffering from irregular sleep patterns, try one of more of the items on this list. Once a new, better habit has been mastered seek out another and make it a part of ones good sleep hygiene.

Overcome These 5 Bad Habits and Get Rewarded With Good Sleep

1. Reducing / Eliminating Allergens: This might be more than the serious pet loving sleeper is willing to accept. However, if one suffers, even in the slightest to pet dander and other allergens born from owning dogs, cats, and other furry animals, having them around during sleep is likely wreaking havoc on your body as it attempts to rest. If possible, train pets to sleep elsewhere, away from the bed or even the room where one is attempting to get a good nights rest.

   The same goes for displaying fresh flowers or other blooming plants in the vicinity of the bedroom. Whatever might be affecting the waking individuals allergies will assuredly cause mischief during the sleep cycle.

2. Monitor Sleeping Positions: Chances are the position of ones body is causing its share of challenges with extended, resting periods. Though curling up on ones side may seem natural and comfortable for a moment while conscious, sleeping for extended amounts of time in a fetal position will cause lower back strain. Consequently, upon waking, one feels tired, sore, and lacking in the stamina to make it effectively through the day.
3. Temperature Check: The colder the ambient temperature of the sleeping room, the more likely the body is to curl up in an attempt to remain in comfortable stasis. The challenge with this, as in the previous bad sleeping habit, is the body is now out of position for receiving a quality nights rest. If possible, turn down the air conditioner, sleep with fewer blankets, and get good rest.
4. Dim the Lights, Turn Off the Television: Distractions of any form will cause interruptions in ones sleep patterns. Attempting to get good rest while a television or music is playing is simply not conducive. Having lights on in the sleeping room, likewise prevents the mind from fully resting and providing the body with the recuperative time it needs to prepare for the coming day.
5. Wake Up On Time: This is one of the easier sleep habits one can implement. Stick to a steady time for going to bed and getting up every day. Figure out how many hours feels best and then maintain that amount of sleep. Even the occasional sleeping in will put one off their regular schedule resulting in grogginess and quicker exhaustion than desired.

While some of the new, better sleeping habits on this and other lists may be challenging at first to incorporate, stick with it. In the end, getting the quality and quantity of sleep ones body and mind requires will pay dividends well worth the effort and hassle of making the changes and eliminating bad sleep habits from ones life.

Andy West is a freelance writer that writes on a variety of topics like health and fitness, nutrition, CPAP supplies and Going Green.

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