A good nights sleep affects your mood, your energy level and your productivity among other things. If you do not get enough you are not going to be at your best.
Giving advice on sleeping is easy enough to do but remember some things that work for me may not work for you and you have to test out many things until you reach the point that you wake up feeling refreshed.
First of all you have to let your thoughts go. Forget what you did today and don’t think about what you need to do tomorrow. This can be a hard one to do. Most people have so much on their minds that they take it to bed with them. When I lay down I try to picture something soothing in my mind. To me that is a warm, sunny day at the beach, walking in the sand barefoot with the breeze blowing through my hair and the waves lapping at my feet. Whatever is soothing to you will help.
Having the proper place to sleep is another important factor. You need a good comfortable bed and pillows are very important. You need to have your spine correctly lined to sleep well and not wake up stiff. If you are a person that sweats at night using a satin pillowcase will help. They also make special pillows that are filled with buckwheat.
I use a fan at night, sometimes I need this blowing on me if the room seems extra warm that night. Other times I turn it away from me just for the sound and to block noises from outside.
Certain scents will relax a person and I feel this depends on what is soothing to each person. For me lavendar or gardenia smell is soothing. Please do not go to sleep with a candle burning unattended. There are sprays and sachets in all scents that you can use or a burner that you put oil into a simmer pot is safe as long as it does not get knocked over by some one.
Playing music in the background can be helpful. I have some tapes with relaxing sounds on them such as waterfalls, rain, birds chirping and so forth.
You can also buy small water fountains if you like the sound of water that are electric and will run as long as they are turned on and filled with water.
I also use battery operated windchimes as the tinkling sound to me is very soothing.
A special light bulb in a color that is soothing such as blue can be left on in the room also. Or if light bothers you and filters in through your window you can use an eye mask to block out the light.
Find what works for you and sleep well so you can be more productive during the day and feeling your best.
Avoid drinking anything with caffine in at least 2 hours before bedtime as caffine is a stimulant that might disrupt your sleep.