7 Daytime Habits that have an effect on your sleep pattern

Do you find it difficult going to bed even after keeping your room quiet, cool, and comfortable, and retiring at the same time? Did you know that daytime actions like taking late naps and a heavy dinner or evening snack affect your sleep quality?

Yes, you may not know it, but some of your daytime actions do affect your sleep pattern. Take a look at some things you should avoid for a good night’s rest.

1. Taking later naps

If you have a habit of taking naps, take one in the early afternoon. Don’t nap in the late afternoon or early evening. The later you rest, the more difficult you will find it to get rest.

2. Drinking caffeine drinks later on in the day

Similarly, it’s better to avoid caffeine like coffee later in the day. Caffeine is a natural stimulant, and having it later on in the day only makes it difficult for you to sleep.

3. Excessive screen time

Try to restrict your screen time as much as possible.

Too much time spent looking at the TV screen, laptop, or phone screen messes up your sleep. It’s because the devices’ blue light confuses your body’s melatonin production.

Reducing or at least keeping a note of your screen time will go a long way at improving your rest.

4. Heavy meals

Eat heavier meals early in the day, and lighter meals at night because it’s good for your health and improves your rest. A light dinner is always better because your body needs to work harder to digest heavy food.

Besides, heavy meals at bedtime can lead to indigestion or heartburn, making it even more difficult to sleep.

5. Improper schedule

Try to maintain a proper schedule where you go to bed and get up every day at the same time. Irregular schedules make it difficult for your body to develop a good and steady sleep cycle.

6. Hitting the snooze button

Many have the habit of hitting the snooze button to get an extra 5 or 10 minutes of rest. However, did you know that it disrupts your cycle because hitting the snooze button starts a new cycle?

And unfortunately, you won’t be able to finish it when the alarm goes off again!

So, snoozing only makes you feel groggy throughout the day and may impact your body’s internal clock and disrupt your sleep pattern.

7. Smoking

Yes, you can add sleep disorders to the long list of smoking health risks!

The nicotine in cigarettes is a stimulant like caffeine, and can keep you awake. Besides, smoking alters your body’s internal clock and increases the chances of developing obstructive sleep apnea.

So if you have been having sleep problems, it’s time you assess your daytime activities. There’s a very high chance that some of your activities are preventing you from resting soundly.

You can try avoiding and modifying these daytime activities to see if you get better rest.

And if there’s still no difference, then it’s better to consult your doctor for advice.