Set an alarm to go to bed
Ever planned to go to bed at 9.30 but the next episode on
Netflix rolls on, or you decide to have a quick check of your socials… only to
realise it is 10.30 or 11pm and you have an early start tomorrow?
One of the most common reasons that we do not get enough
sleep is that we simply are not in bed long enough. We do not even give
ourselves the opportunity to have the recommended 7-9 hours of sleep.
Maintaining a consistent sleep schedule is a good place to
start for those wanting more shut eye. Most of us have an alarm to get up in
the morning but we would also benefit from having an alarm to go to bed at
night. Rather than setting an alarm for a time that feels like a good bedtime,
you should calculate the time. Your alarm should be set 8.5 hours before you
intend to get up. If for example you get up at 6am, wind the clock back 8.5 hours
and set your evening alarm for 9.30pm. Do not make the mistake of setting your
evening alarm for when you should be going to sleep (10pm in this example). You
need to allow time to finish your show, have a shower and brush your teeth – or
whatever your night-time routine involves.
