4 Bad Sleeping Habits that Are Affecting Your Overall Health

4 Bad Sleeping Habits that Are Affecting Your Overall Health

You might have poor sleeping habits and patterns and not even be aware of it. After all, many people don’t give much thought to the things that they do at night and how it has an effect on how well they can sleep and get some rest. Most likely, you have the best of intentions when it comes to your sleep – however, you can have good sleep hygiene and still do a number of things in your daily life that could be doing more harm than good to the quality of rest that you are getting. If you have developed poor night time habits over the years – whether you’ve realized it or not – there are plenty of adjustments that you can make to improve your sleep quality. Here are some poor sleep habits that could be affecting your sleep and your overall health.

#1. Exercising too close to bedtime:

Exercise is great and if you manage to get some physical exercise daily, then you’re doing well. But, be careful when it comes to the time of day that you’re hitting the gym, going for a run, or swimming. Exercising in the evening can be convenient if you work a 9-5 job, but it can also mess with your ability to get to sleep at night. When you exercise, you get an endorphin rush that increases the levels of cortisol and adrenaline in your bloodstream, creating a stimulating effect that can last for hours. If you find it more difficult to get to sleep after a session at the gym, then the best thing to do is plan your workouts for in the morning or early afternoon.

#2. Using gadgets late at night:

Many people like to wind down at night by watching the TV, reading on an e-reader, playing video games or using their smartphone to connect with friends on social media or play games. But the truth is that the light from these screens won’t be helping when it comes to getting to sleep. Scientific studies have shown that the blue light given off by our gadgets can inhibit melatonin production and keep you awake. So, ban gadgets from the bedroom and try to wind down by ceasing to use your electronics at least an hour before bed.

#3. Putting up with Snoring:

If you’re in a couple or married and your partner or spouse snores at night, then you’ll know just how frustrating this can be. Whilst you can be sure that they are not snoring on purpose to keep you awake, it doesn’t make it any less annoying when you are trying to sleep and they’re next to you, sleeping soundly and making a lot of noise. The good news is that you don’t have to put up with your partner snoring, and no, the only option isn’t moving one of you into the spare room. Anti-snoring strips are designed to be worn comfortably in bed and stop snoring, making for a better night’s sleep for both of you.

#4. Eating Late at Night:

Eating dinner immediately before bed or snacking late into the night should be avoided if you want to get a good night’s sleep. Whilst eating a heavy meal might make you feel sleepy, the natural act of digestion could prevent your body from falling asleep. And, lying down straight after eating can leave you at a higher risk of suffering from heartburn.

In addition to leaving you feeling tired, poor sleeping habits can affect your health in general by increasing your risk of conditions such as heart disease, diabetes, cancer, stroke and mood disorders. So, make a change today by tackling any poor sleep habits you’ve developed head-on.