March is Healthy Sleep Month here at Happy Healthy Mama, and I’m excited about it. Here’s the thing. I know everyone might not be as excited about getting good sleep as I am. I’m a sleeper and love nothing more than a restful night’s sleep.
I know, however, sleep gets pushed to the back burner of many people’s health goals. There are so many other health goals, like eating healthy or exercising, that we focus on. It’s a mistake to disregard the importance of sleep, though. If you’ve never thought much about it, maybe you don’t realize just how important it is. 
Why Sleep is So Important
- When we sleep, our brain is forming new pathways to help you learn and remember information.
- When you’re well rested, you can make better decisions.
- When you’ve had enough sleep, you can pay attention better.
- Sleep deficiency is linked to depression. (source)
- Poor sleep is linked to obesity.
- High quality sleep is linked with being more productive.
- Sleep helps maintain a healthy balance of hormones. (source)
- Healthy sleep promotes a strong immune system. (source)
- When you’re sleep deficient, your body has trouble fighting infections.
- Poor sleep habits are strongly linked to adverse effects on blood sugar levels. (source)
- Sleep deficiency is linked to heart disease, kidney disease, high blood pressure, diabetes, and stroke. (source)
As you can see, sleep is important for everyone, including our kids. (Check out the top three bullet points up there!) Knowing why sleep is important is great, but now what? We need to focus on getting the best sleep we can! Let’s look at some ways you can improve you sleep THIS MONTH. 
10 Ways You Can Improve Your Sleep
- Create a sleep routine. Do something similar each evening that will help send triggers to your body that it’s time for sleep.
- Go to bed at the right time. If you fall asleep as soon as your head hits the pillow, you’re probably overtired. If it takes you an hour to fall asleep, you aren’t ready for sleep. Pay attention and keep a sleep journal to help you figure out your ideal bedtime.
- Create a comfortable sleep environment. The room should be dark, cool (65 degrees is considered ideal) and quiet. Make your room a peaceful, serene place.
- Keep your bedtime and wake time consistent. Once you find your ideal sleep cycle, sleeping during that time will create your most well-rested self. It’s best to go to bed and wake up at the same time throughout the week (including weekends) as much as possible.
- Avoid blue light at least 30 minutes before bed.
- Don’t exercise too close to bed time. (At least 3 hours before bedtime is best)
- Manage stress in your life. Falling asleep and getting more quality sleep is more likely when you aren’t going to bed with a lot on your mind.
- If you take naps, make them short (1 hour or less) and as early in the day as you can.
- Use natural remedies for insomnia.
- Have a comfortable mattress, pillow, sheets, and blankets. Make your bed a place the feels great to get into and make sure you have the right mattress and pillow for your body and sleep type.
I know I have a lot to work on this month. (Cough! Cough! Blue light…) I know it’s worth the effort to get the best sleep I can. Not only will I be making myself healthier, but I know I’m a better wife and mom when I’m getting enough sleep.
Is there anything you’d add to this list? Do you get great sleep already or is it something you need to work on? 
Currently I am feeling blue due to my work pressure and was unable to get enough sleep then while searching found this and looks promissing will update after I try these !
Thansk for sharing
Happy to find your helpful tips. I am little bit stressed due to my work and family issue and hoping to some relief using your great tips.
thanks in advance
Jenny
Glad I came across with this helpful tips. Been struggling for about a week now. I’m really stressed out!
I can contribute to you one more way. It is often to clean your mattress, pillow to have a good night’s sleep. You can add my article to your topic if you find it useful to your readers. This is Two my article:
– https://sidesleeperreviews.com/how-to-clean-crib-mattress-properly/
– https://sidesleeperreviews.com/how-to-wash-pillows-hand-washing-machine/
Thanks for share.
Jenny Susan
Thanks Maryea for the article. It helped me a lot. By the way, I also want to share my experience in how I could get sleepy after two years faced with isonomia. Everyone, who has the problem with sleep knows that it’s terrible. I could not do any things in the next day 🙁 I took a lot of pills, but they did not help, then my friend tells me about the fact that my pillow may be the reason. Before, I never think about “pillow” could cause the isonomia. I am a stomach sleeper, and I also have a back pain. I Then bought a new water pillow. And the result surprised me. I could get sleep better, and now I have a normal life. P/S. I also do meditation before going to sleep, and it helped a lot. Thank you again for the post. I hope many peoples can get rid of isonomia!
Those are some really useful tips. Having a comfortable pillow is really an important factor for a comfortable sleep.
As someone who struggles w/ insomnia, I am quite well versed on all things sleep. I actually just read an article that said if you can vigorously exercise 2 hrs or so before bedtime it actually helps you fall asleep faster, sleep deeper and have better quality sleep If not, the best time to exercise is 4 hrs before bedtime b/c of raising core temperature. And if you struggle with sleeping, morning exercise is least effective at helping sleep. ALL exercise helps sleep but if you are actually struggling to sleep well exercising at night is best.
Very interesting! I thought the recommendation was to not exercise at night. There’s not too much that can keep me awake once my head hits the pillow, though. I just need to get it there sooner!
Glad I came across with this helpful tips. Been struggling for about a week now. I’m really stressed out!
I hope these help you get some rest!
I can sleep well when my kids sleep. My husband on the other hand not so much. Family history of not sleeping well/insomnia. You said natural ways to help with that what natural ways do you recommend?
I planning a whole post on this, but has he tried melatonin? This is my favorite natural sleep aide.
Oh man, I really should incorporate those tips!
I haven’t felt really rested lately and I know it’s because of how antsy I still am when I go to bed. And because I go to late…
I think it’s the worst feeling when you wake up feeling like you didn’t get a good night’s rest. My whole day is off when I wake up like that. That’s one reason I’m really working on it this month!