10 Things Robbing You of Sleep, and How to Beat Them

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By Saundra Latham, Cheapism

BREAKING SNOOZE

While the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention may be charged with tracking exotic diseases such as Zika and Ebola, experts there say one of the foremost public health problems is far more pedestrian: lack of sleep. As many as 70 million U.S. adults have a sleep-related disorder, with dozens of factors affect whether they're destined to toss and turn or rack up hours of blissful slumber. Read on to discover 10 of the most common sleep disrupters and how experts advise minimizing their impact.

        

                

THE THERMOSTAT

Bump the thermostat down at least a few degrees before hitting the sack to keep the bedroom from being warmer than ideal for sleeping -- the core body temperature is supposed to drop a few degrees at night. Experts say 65 degrees is ideal for quality shut-eye, but several degrees lower is best for people who like to sleep under heavy covers. Breathable pajamas and layers of bedding that can be added or removed can be key to snoozing comfortably.

            

                

LACK OF EXERCISE

Oregon State University researchers find that about 150 minutes of exercise a week -- a little over 20 minutes a day -- can boost sleep quality by a whopping 65 percent, even controlling for factors including age and physical and mental health. Don't worry too much if the only time to squeeze in a workout is before bedtime. While it's true some people have too much adrenaline after exercise to fall asleep easily, 83 percent reported better sleep than non-exercisers regardless of the workout hour, according to a National Sleep Foundation poll.

          

               

SMARTPHONE OR TABLETS

If you wind down in bed by scrolling through email, social media, or the news, you're far from alone: 71 percent of Americans keep their phone within arm's reach while snoozing, according to a Bank of America report. But smartphones' short-wavelength blue light can interrupt circadian rhythms -- users will likely feel more awake after staring at a phone, not drowsy and relaxed. 

Sleep.org recommends at least a half-hour buffer of tech-free time before bed, or even keeping technology (including TV) out of the bedroom altogether. At least enable a phone's "Night Shift" mode, which emits a warmer, less-disruptive light.

          

             

ERRATIC SCHEDULES

One of the best things to do for better sleep is stick to a regular sleep schedule -- it helps the body gear up before waking and wind down at night. So it follows that going to bed and waking up at different times can mess with a biological clock. Sleep expert and psychologist Stephanie Silberman recommends aiming for the same bedtime every night, but says it's best to make a shift in gradual, 15-minute increments. So if you go to bed at midnight but think 10:30 p.m. would be best, it will take most of a week to adjust. Silberman also cautions against sleeping in for more than an hour or two on the weekends.

           

              

LATE-NIGHT CRAVINGS

The need to eat beats out the need to sleep when it comes to the brain's survival instincts, according to research cited by Prevention. Food can even trump sunlight in controlling circadian rhythms, which makes it important to have a true 12-hour fast before breakfast, forcing the body to recognize that time as morning even with factors such as jet lag at play. If you do indulge, stay away from foods that make snoozing even tougher. Avoid caffeine (including when it hides in dark chocolate); hard-to-digest meats such as chicken and beef; fiber-packed foods such as broccoli; and alcohol, which can help bring sleep but lower sleep quality later in the night, AARP says.

              

                   

SMOKING

As if there aren't enough reasons to quit smoking, here's another: Nicotine acts as a stimulant, much like caffeine, the American Sleep Association says. It may feel relaxing, but can also leave the heart racing, making it hard to drift off. Smokers may also start to crave more nicotine at night, which can lead to restless sleep or even waking up in the middle of the night. Don't worry about whether quitting will keep you awake. Any ill effects from withdrawal should last only a few nights, says sleep expert Dr. Lisa Shives in Prevention.

            

                    

THE PILLOW

A pillow isn't just a pillow. Experts say to start searching for the ideal pillow by considering whether you normally sleep on the side, back, or stomach. According to WebMD, side sleepers need firmer pillows; back sleepers needs slightly thinner ones with a bit of extra roundness in the bottom third to support the neck. Stomach sleepers should go for fairly flat pillows. A combination of feather and down stuffing works for many because it can be molded for support, but synthetic versions are available for allergy sufferers.

              

THE CURTAINS

Except for way out in the country, light pollution -- whether from headlights, streetlights, or even a pesky porch light -- is likely to be an issue, especially with a trend toward bigger windows and thinner draperies that keep many bedrooms too bright for optimal sleep, the BBC says. Try blackout curtains. Made from heavier fabric and lined to provide an extra barrier against light, they are pricier than sheer fabric but widely available at big-box stores. If you have curtains you love, consider adding inexpensive blackout liners using drapery hooks.

                    

DAILY STRESSORS

Unsurprisingly, stress and sleep are intimately connected. Almost half of adults who say they feel high levels of stress day to day say they aren't getting enough sleep, compared with only 10 percent of low-stress adults, according to a survey by the American Psychological Association. 

 

This touches off a vicious cycle, because adults who don't get enough sleep exhibit more symptoms of stress. Neil B. Kavey of The National Sleep Foundation recommends a "buffer zone" between potentially stressful activities and bedtime -- that means no work, paying bills, or potentially prickly conversations within a couple hours before bed. He also recommends getting non-restful activities such as work out of the bedroom.

              

                   

THE MEDICINE CABINET

Doing everything else right but still have trouble falling or staying asleep? Check the medicine cabinet. A number of common prescription drugs are linked to poor sleep, including beta blockers meant to combat high blood pressure and SSRI antidepressants such as Prozac and Zoloft. Also in question are certain drugs meant to help heart arrhythmia, asthma, high cholesterol, ADHD, and hypothyroidism, EverydayHealth.com says. A doctor may advise that over-the-counter medications can be problematic too, including antihistamines and decongestants, as well as pain relievers with caffeine, such as Excedrin.

 

See More: Everyday Health