Sleep is a big issue among teens. I know that we stay up all night doing our homework and then end up sleeping five hours or less because we don’t want to be late for first period. Of course the main reason for that could be procrastination, job, volunteering, sports or anything else that you has to be done after school. Below are some quick fixes to the inevitable all-nighters.
Stick to a schedule
You have to make sure that you have to wake up every day around the same time. I’ve known people who slept at the same time everyday, and were actually be able to wake up and catch the bus because their bodies naturally woke them up. Thus, every night you should sleep around the same time or just a half an hour off if there was something that came up. This is vital, because it will help regulate your sleep times and the natural body clock. Napping is a must! However, you should always make sure you don’t sleep longer than an hour.
Snooze-off
This can be a difficulty because we all love to hit that snooze button in the morning. But, that will only perpetuate a horrible sleep cycle. If you feel the urge to reset that body clock, wake up at 7 a.m. and try to take in at least 15 minutes of gorgeous sunshine. It may seem weird, but it works, and is super relaxing! There are also many apps on the market like Sleep Cycle that would help regulate your sleep patterns and help you calculate what time you should sleep, etc. That is a bit against the whole don’t use your electronic devices before you sleep, but if it is just for a minute or two and will help your sleep cycle, why not!?
Set a mood
It is always great to give yourself a sleep curfew. I know it sounds like a bit like something your parents would do, but the impact is greater if you pick on for yourself. No one knows you and your priorities better than you. The curfew will also help you get into that great bed time mood. Other things you could do are turning off the televison, iPhone, and anything else with a bright screen! It sounds harsh and boring because we are so used to our devices. However, it is for the best. Something you could do is do your homework, read a book (there are so many), a magazine, paint your nails, journal, paint or draw. In addition, you could throw one of those amazing lush bath bombs in the tub, dim the lights, and relax!