Does a Sleep Schedule Work?

There is no shortage of ideas about getting a perfect night’s sleep. Consider all of them when seeking your personal best. Keep in mind that what works for one may not work for another. Customize you sleep schedule to fit you. Everyone benefits from a schedule. You learn your ideal through trial and error. So start with how many hours of sleep each night you think you need. Then take an hour away. If you think you need eight hours, set your alarm to wake you in seven hours. Analyze how you felt throughout the day. If you did not feel drowsy but at bedtime, you are ready for sleep then seven hours is enough for you.

If you did feel drowsy or the need for a nap during the day, then go to bed 15 minutes earlier each night until the daytime drowsiness stops. It might go away with an extra 15 minutes, 30 minutes or an hour. For you, 8 hours and 20 minutes might be the exact amount of sleep for peak health. It is important to find this number because too little sleep compromises our health and well-being but so does too much sleep.

Try sleeping with the window open. Did you wake up feeling more refreshed or did street noises filter in and disturb you? May be you were too cold. Sleep with the window open if it benefits you. If not, air out the room for an hour then close the window. Find the sleeping temperature at which you are comfortable. Some like cold and some warm. If you get it right, you will sleep undisturbed all-night.

How sensitive to light and noise are you? To the extent you can control it, eliminate sleep interruptions. Use black out shades if even filtered light wakes you. Neighborhood noises like garbage trucks, garage doors going up and down and dogs barking can bring you out of a deep sleep. Some people hear nothing and sleep fine. If you are not one of them try remedies like window seals, earplugs or white noise.

All this attention to sleep details may seem obsessive and troublesome. Once you feel great with consistent quality sleep you will agree it is worth the trouble. Not only do you feel better and are more productive each day, you are protecting your future health. Your risk of health issues like heart disease and dementia increase with poor sleep habits. Sleep matters so be as obsessive as you need about your sleep schedule and conditions.

This website is provided for general information only, and should not be treated as a substitute for the medical advice of your own doctor or any other health care professional. Live & Sleep is not responsible or liable for any diagnosis made by a user based on the content of this website. Always consult your own GP if you’re in any way concerned about your health.