Have you noticed lately that you’ve been tossing and turning, counting endless sheep and becoming increasingly frustrated that you can’t fall asleep quickly? There is nothing worse than not being able to fall asleep and waking up feeling unrested, tired, only to hit the snooze button over and over desperately trying to get another 10 minutes of rest. Studies have shown that when we don’t get a good night’s sleep, it greatly impacts how we function when we are awake. Here are five tips for falling asleep faster.

Lighten up at dinner time
We all enjoy a great home cooked meal. Roast chicken, mashed potatoes, green beans, dinner rolls and who could forget about apple pie for dessert! Dinner is most often the largest meal of the day, but over indulging or eating a heavy dinner can keep you up at night. You may experience that uncomfortable feeling of feeling bloated, have indigestion or trigger acid reflux. Easier said than done, but the trick is to not over eat just before bedtime.

Turn off electronics
A lot of people have a bad habit of keeping their phone or tablet next to their bed, or falling asleep with their bedroom TV on. These devices almost always keep us awake longer than we had anticipated. You thought that last move on Words with Friends would take but a minute, only to realize that an hour later you are still trying to find just the right spot to play your letter Z. All the while, you are missing out on the real ZZZ’s you need to look and feel your best the next day. If you must keep your electronics in your bedroom, try to keep them out of arms reach so you won’t be so tempted to reach for them. Watching TV can sometimes be relaxing, but an engaging story line can keep your mind racing long after the show ends. If you fall asleep with the TV on, flickering lights many times prevent you from getting a deep restful night’s sleep.

Lower temperature of room
Studies have found that lowering the temperature of your bedroom can help you rest more peacefully. Sleeping in a hot bedroom is uncomfortable and causes excessive tossing and turning which prevents your body from entering the restorative stage of sleep. Lowering the temperature of the room will keep your internal body temperature down which will help you fall asleep faster and stay asleep longer.

Quality bedding
You want to be as comfortable as possible to fall asleep. Old sheets that are scratchy, torn or of poor quality make it difficult to snuggle into bed, get comfy and allow your body to relax. For as much time as we spend in our beds, it is worth the investment to purchase quality sheets. Some sheet materials such as Bamboo and Linen offer cooling properties that help to keep you at an optimal sleeping temperature.

Comfortable mattress
When you think about it, we spend nearly a third of our life sleeping! That’s more time in bed than in any sofa or chair, your car or even your favorite shoes. An old, sunken, unsupportive mattress can make falling asleep take longer and takes its toll on the quality of sleep you’ll get. If you have an old mattress that is no longer comfortable, we strongly suggest purchasing a new one that will offer you optimal support and a better quality sleep. With locations in Austin and San Antonio, it is easy to find a local Factory Mattress near you. Stop by and try out our new RIGHTfit technology which matches you to the beds that will help you to get your best night’s sleep! We carry a vast selection of brands and styles so that our customers can find the best mattress for their sleep needs.