Getting bad sleep? This might be why!

Restless sleep can result from a wide variety of causes, such as consuming products with caffeine before bed, stressing over something, or just poor sleep habits. All can result in restless sleep, making a person wake up feeling like he didn’t sleep five seconds and making him both tired and groggy. Mr. Arthur Hughes, a EHS art teacher, reflects on his own sleep quality: “I feel like a 5/10 on how rested I feel normally, 3/10 on bad days, and 7/10 on good days.” While this may not sound promising, it is, in fact, the reality for most.

So, what are some of the most common causes of restless sleep?

While it may seem obvious to some that caffeine will harm sleep, some don’t think so. Caffeine is a stimulant that results in more wakefulness in the average person, and trying to sleep with it can result in a very restless sleep. Also some people might not know this, but caffeine can be found in a wide variety of products, such as headache medications, tea, soda pop, and even foods such as chocolate.

Tristan Shannon, a EHS Sophomore, somewhat sarcastically voices his reaction to caffeine being in chocolate: “That sounds wonderful, because chocolate contains theobromine, which is the building block of serotonin. That means when you eat chocolate, your brain tends to make happy juices.” Expounding further, Shannon adds, “Caffeine is a great addition to that, considering it also helps people feel better in general.”

Additionally, products such as alcohol or tobacco can result in restless sleep, as alcohol will result in the fragmentation of one’s sleep, and it gets worse as it wears off in the system. And, cigarettes’ nicotine will ruin one’s ability to sleep, as the craving associated with withdrawal may wake the person during the night. Other habits that cause restless sleep are screen activity before bed, vigorous exercise right before bed, and inconsistent sleep routines.

Knowing this, what can you do to sleep better?

As experts recommend, people should stop using electronic devices 30 minutes to two hours before bed, along with avoiding stimulants, such as caffeine, six to eight hours before bed to improve sleep quality. Isaac Abarca, a EHS Senior, admits this: “I drink a cup of ice coffee before bed!” One can only image how this affects his sleep! Additionally, people should engage in a relaxing activity, such as reading a book or listening to relaxing music. They can also listen to music that’s relaxing to them during their sleep to help increase sleep quality. But, they should avoid upbeat music, as it will harm sleep instead of helping, stimulating brain activity rather than putting it in a resting mode.

A good night’s rest is essential to a having a good next day. Take this advice and sleep on it.

By Dalidas-Art from DeviantArt

DamaiMikaz from DeviantArt