Tips for a Restful Night's Sleep

It can be hard trying to get a restful night's sleep. Especially if you're suffering from sleep apnea. Here are some tips that I have found over the years that help me to feel a bit more well-rested and fall asleep a bit easier.

Tips for a restful night

Let’s be realistic, you’re not going to get any good sleep in a space that stresses you out or makes you uncomfortable. That’s why it’s so important to make a space your own and fill it with things that help relax you or make you happy.

Making a safe sleep space

Assuming you sleep on a bed (though if you use a couch or a hammock more power to you. But for the sake of keeping things simple I’m going to focus on a bed today.) I would start with a nice clean sheet and a comforter. Once those are down, you can surround yourself with pillows. One or twenty, it’s up to you. I usually only have one or two but sometimes I enjoy having a wall of pillows around me kind of like a fort. I think subconsciously it makes me feel safer.

Pillows and stuffed animals

If you live alone, sometimes it’s nice to use a long body pillow. I like putting mine against my back, it makes it feel like there is someone sleeping next to me. As physical touch is one of my love languages, it helps my body feel more at ease.

Don’t knock a good soft stuffed animal. Cisco the Tiger lets me squeeze him as hard as I want AND listens to my problems without judging me. I also feel that weighted blankets are very nice!

For your other senses

Sometimes when I’m tossing and turning I find scents help make me feel more at ease. Sometimes they remind me of my childhood which makes me feel nostalgic – that feeling makes me happy.

Sprays, incense, and wax warmers

I like Febreze because you can spray it and it lingers just enough to help you fall asleep but not long enough if you don't like the scent. And, you can spray that pretty much anywhere. They are also incense and wax warmers you can plug into an outlet.

Lights and warm colors

I've also found, for me personally, light plays a big part in how I’m feeling. I grew up in New Jersey where, in the fall, we had a fireplace that cast a warm glow around the room. I think that's a bit of the nostalgia talking, but I like warmer yellow lights in a lantern or in an electronic candle versus brighter LED lights that are harsher.

Temperature

The warmth helps me to feel cozier and fall asleep quickly. Speaking of warmth, space heaters can help with managing pain that can also keep you awake. If I have cramps or back pain I’ll turn on the heater, set a timer for 2 hours so it’s not on all night, and let it ease my muscles.

Noises

Some people also like white noise or falling asleep to audiobooks. YouTube has a good selection of things for free. There's this wonderful invention, from Japan I believe, where they make these eye masks. When you open them up, immediately start getting warm and some of them even have scents. You just wear them over your eyes. I like them because I get headaches a lot and they help me better relax the tension in my forehead; but, they're just lovely regardless.

Room themes

Some people like themes, changing your room into a theme like a jungle, fantastical forest, or even a magical dormitory from a copyrighted magical school. All can help immerse yourself into having a better mindset that ultimately can help you fall asleep more. I'm all for immersion and doing whatever can help and make you happy.

I hope these tips help! Let me know if you think of anything else or if any of these things work for you.