When I don’t get enough undisturbed sleep each night – and for me that means at least seven hours – I am one huge crank pot. I’m irritable, foggy-headed, and it messes up my whole day because I’m usually too tired to exercise. I’m also more likely to reach for sweet treats as pick-me-ups. Aside from the proper amount of sleep keeping you happy, proper sleep increases brain function and promotes weight loss . If you lose out on sleep, it could lead to high-blood pressure and increase your chance of dying from heart disease . A person needs between seven and nine hours of sleep each night, so here are some tips for making that happen. Exercise daily and finish exercising at least three hours before bedtime . You don’t need to go overboard and sprint five miles every day, but make sure you get up and move, even if it’s to go for a walk. Using up energy by exercising will help you feel more tired when your head hits

the pillow. Just be sure not to work out right before hitting the hay since it can take your body three to four hours to cool down its temperature and lower your heart rate, according to Women’s Health No cat napping. If you’re tired during the day, it’s tempting to curl up on the couch and drift off for 20 minutes. Although a nap might give you energy in the afternoon, you’ll end up having a harder time falling asleep later that night. Skip the nap and head to bed earlier. Turn off the gadgets before bed. That means no web surfing, no emailing, no texting, no video games, and no one-more-episode-of- The-Office TV watching before you hit the sheets. Why? The light and content can be too stimulating, making it more difficult for your brain to wind down and fall asleep. Also studies show that texting in bed can cause anxiety . Continue reading for more sleep-inducing tips.

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