Since the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic, life has changed in a variety of ways. From homeschooling and remote working to lockdown restrictions and Zoom parties, the impact of coronavirus has affected society in an unprecedented way.
Perhaps unsurprisingly, there has been an increase in the number of people experiencing insomnia since lockdown began. Whether it’s due to health worries or a change to their routine, there’s a clear correlation between sleep problems and the implementation of lockdown rules. However, you don’t have to put up with poor quality sleep or reduced rest. To enhance your sleep quality, take a look at these five things we can do to combat lockdown insomnia:
1. Start Exercising
When we’re stuck at home for long periods of time, we’re less physically active than we usually are. As a result, our bodies simply aren’t as tired as they should be, which can make it hard to get to sleep at night. With a little extra exercise, however, you can ensure that your mind and body are actually tired when you go to bed at night. This will make it easier to fall asleep and increase the chances of your sleeping through the night too.
2. Buy a New Mattress
The quality of your mattress has a major impact on your sleep quality, so it could be worth investing in a new mattress if you’re experiencing restless nights. To ensure your new mattress lives up to your expectations, take a look at Newsweek’s choice for the best hybrid mattress. With added support and exceptional comfort, you can rely on a new mattress to improve your sleep and banish lockdown insomnia.
3. Step Away from the News
We live in a time when you can access breaking news every minute of the day or night. Although you’ll want to stay up to date with what’s happening in the world, spending too much time watching or reading the news can increase your worries and your stress levels. In turn, this can make it harder to sleep soundly at night. To combat this, limit your news intake throughout the day and try to avoid watching or reading the news before you go to bed.
4. Avoid Naps
When you’re spending more time at home than usual, it’s easy to give into naps and let yourself ‘catch up’ on sleep during the day. Although power naps can sometimes be a good way to improve your focus, they don’t suit everyone. If you’re not sleeping at night, avoid daytime naps and see what impact it has. If you’re only napping during lockdown and your insomnia didn’t start until the restrictions were introduced, there’s a good chance that your new habit of taking a nap during the day is affecting your ability to sleep at night.
5. Eat Earlier in the Day
If lockdown has turned your usual routine upside down, it could be impacting your diet too. If you’re eating dinner later than usual, this might be why your sleep quality is declining. When the body is busy digesting food, it’s hard to get a good night’s rest. By eating your evening meal a little earlier, you can avoid the indigestion, discomfort and poor sleep that follows a late-night meal.
Make Sleep a Top Priority
Once you get into the habit of sleeping poorly, it can be hard to break. That’s why it’s important to make sleep a priority now and take steps to banish insomnia. With a few minor lifestyle changes, you can enhance your sleep quality, tweak your lockdown routine and enjoy optimal well-being.