HeyU Issue 31 - 24 June 2015 | Page 15

d night, sleep tight. oo G healthyu Do you find it hard to concentrate? Are you clumsy? Do you have trouble remembering things? If you answered ‘yes’ to all of these questions, you might find that you are not getting a proper night’s sleep. Sleep is essential for maintaining a healthy mind and body, so it’s important to make sure your bedroom is designed for top quality shut eye. If you live at home with your parents, in a residential college or you’re renting, it can be hard to create a sleep space all of your own. Here are a few simple ways you can tailor your room to allow you to get the best sleep possible (no construction required). Make your bedroom a gadget-free zone Have an early bath or shower Why: To rest your mind from technology stop using any gadgets, especially those with a backlit screen, at least an hour before bed. You should also keep these devices away from you while you sleep. Why: Raising your body temperature too close to bedtime can hinder you from falling asleep as your body needs to be a moderate temperature to reach a sound slumber. What: Invest in an alarm clock so you don’t need to rely on your phone. If you can, leave your devices out of the room but if you can’t, fill a box with socks and bury your phone in it each night. What: Have a shower as soon as you get home — this will also allow you to wash away your cares and stresses from the day. Find your Zen Use a low light before bed Why: Bright lights will keep you awake while a softer Why: Before you hit the sack, put your mind at ease, steady light will let your body start preparing for sleep. your breathing and reduce muscle tension without revving What: If you have a dimmer for the main light, use a low up your heart rate by doing some meditative breathing. setting, or invest in a lamp for beside your bed with a What: Find a comfortable sitting position, close your low-watt bulb. eyes and breathe in through your nose for F