6 Ways You Won't Get A Good Night's Sleep Tonight

It's time for bed. On your way to your bedroom, you're sidetracked by the extra-grande bag of crinkle extra-salt-and-oil potato chips that you chase with the remains of the coffee pot left on the counter. After glutting yourself on sodium and fat, you decide to knock off a few emails in bed before hitting the hay, which leads to binge-watching countless episodes of the Mindy Project. You can't sleep--maybe a night cap'll do . . . make it a double-scotch--neat. 

Here are ways you will fail to get to sleep tonight:

1. Caffeine too late: If you drink coffee after 4pm or are tempted by the foamy cappuccino at the Italian restaurant at dinner, it's likely you won't sleep tonight. It takes six hours for your body to eliminate half the caffeine of a cup of coffee, which will totally throw you off when you're trying to fall asleep at 10:30.

2. Watching TV: The LED light of the TV can trick your body into thinking it's daytime. And while it might seem good to 'veg out' on the TV, it 's actually detrimental to sleep. As well, if you like thrillers or disturbing shows and movies, you could be increasing fear and anxiety that will impair your ability to sleep.

3. Emails and Texts: It might seem like a good idea to send out some emails before bed, but the effects are similar to watching TV: LED lighting sending signals to your body to wake up, as well as increased stress or worry or even anger and envy. Checking Facebook will have the same effect also.

4. Exercise: People who work late often work out late before bed, but this can leave you feeling wired up while trying to sleep. It takes your body time to wind down after a workout and recover from it. Some people claim they can sleep well after a workout--it all depends on the person and the workout.

5. Alcohol: If you consume large quantities of alcohol before bed it's likely you are lightening your sleep rather than deepening it. Alcohol consumption can also relax your sinuses and throat muscles, and thus increases snoring. 

6. Reading: This is one I have seen come up countless times in my research; however, people claim that reading before bed will stimulate your mind thus preventing you from sleeping. This is fine; but there are many who can't go to sleep without reading something. Here's the key: it has to be boring enough to prevent over-stimulating the brain, and it has to be long-winded enough to put you to sleep. If reading before bed keeps you up, don't do it. If it leads you to sleep, do it. 

A good night's sleep is critical for your health and daily performance. If you are having sleep problems, you may need to visit a sleep specialist. Otherwise, try the above and see it it works.