Getting a good night’s sleep is important for your mood, your energy level, and your overall health. It’s also dependent on what you do during the day: how much physical activity you do, what you eat and drink, and how mentally stimulated you are especially in the hours just before you crawl into bed.
“When people suffer from insomnia or other sleep issues, it’s often because of something they’re doing, probably unintentionally, when they should be preparing for rest,” according to Michael Grandner, PhD, a psychiatry instructor.
According to Amanda MacMillan on MedicalNewsToday, here are some things to avoid doing at night
1. Using a smartphone or other digital device
Using electronic devices like e-readers and smartphones, or even watching television in or before bed, can disrupt sleep. Robert Rosenberg, DO, author of Sleep Soundly Every Night, Feel Fantastic Every Day, recommends avoiding any light-emitting technology for at least one hour before bedtime.
“The blue light given off by computers, smartphones, tablets, and TV prevents the production of melatonin which helps the body become sleepy,” he said in Health magazine.
2. Taking certain medications
If you take medicines or supplements daily and you’re also experiencing sleep problems, ask your doctor whether the time of day you take your dosage may be keeping you awake. The effects may be subtle, but some medicines can make you alert for several hours after taking them.
