How to Hack Your Sleep for Added Productivity (Hint: It Starts With Your Mattress)

As I write this post, my baby girl is close to turning 10 months old. It’s hard to believe, but it’s true. Needless to say, I’ve been getting a lot less sleep than I had been used to before she arrived. For that reason, I’ve had to do what I can to maximize the quality of the sleep that I do get.

It’s also well-known that as our standard of living rises, and technology further invades our lives, we are getting less sleep than we ever have. Today I welcome my friend Edie to give you a few tips to optimize your own sleep.

Take it away Edie!

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The desire of achieving success is a natural human trait, yet many people still believe triumph comes from someplace else and not from within them. I think that success can be defined in many ways: for some people, it means having more money or a prominent social position, for others, it means having a family or even not having anything at all except their freedom.

No matter how you see it, the important thing is not is to want and work for it. A dedicated mindset will help you stay focused and achieve what you desire. And the best mindset you can wish for starts with getting some healthy, restful sleep.

Many articles and studies have shown the importance of proper sleep for our life. Our health, our academic and intellectual performances, our social behavior and our well-being, they all depend on a good repose. But in these troubled modern times getting good sleep has become an art and science altogether.

Research reveals that the quality of sleep matters the most, even if you sleep less than eight hours per night. So how do we hack our slumber to obtain a better mindset and achieve our goals?

Let me give you a few hints.

Get the right mattress

I know many of you say: “But I can sleep on any bed!” That may be true, but you won’t enjoy a quality sleep in just any bed. The modern mattresses present amazing features which are designed to help you rest well and wake up feeling energetic and determined to take on any challenges a new day may bring. I’ve recently read on www.TopMattress.com about the latest high-tech mattresses on the market, and my favorites are the ones with temperature control options: they are capable of adjusting the warmth of your bed, and some even absorb your excess body heat and turn it into positive infrared energy.

Editor’s Note: Other popular mattresses based on new research include the Purple, Casper, and Leesa, all of which feature similar designs to provide optimal support.

Unwind before bedtime

The best way to get a healthy rest is to let go of all the worries and problems and think of peaceful, relaxing things or do unwinding activities a couple of hours before going to bed. Exercising can be great, but make sure you do it a few hours before bedtime. If you choose yoga or meditation, on the other hand, you can practice those before going to bed. Another thing you can do to clear your mind is turn off all electronic devices – starting with your TV, and read a book or listen to music instead of watching a bloody movie or the news.

Eat light and avoid stimulators

What you have for dinner will impact your sleep quality, so make sure you eat light: fat foods will only make it harder for you to fall asleep. The same goes for coffee or energizing drinks; you should stop drinking them at least eight hours ahead of sleep time. Avoid cigarettes, alcohol and substantial meals in the evening. You can enjoy a light snack 45 minutes before going to bed.

Keep your bedroom dark and cool

Darkness helps us fall asleep quicker, so try to leave no lights on during the night and turn off the electronic devices. If you do need a light source, try using a Himalayan salt lamp: they purify the air in the room and spread a soft pink glow which will smoothly lead you into the world of dreams. A bedroom that’s too hot won’t help you get a sound sleep. Lower the temperature if you can or buy a smart mattress cover which will adjust the bed temperature while you sleep.

Editors Note: There has been a lot of research recently on how we are disrupting our body’s natural circadian rhythm with artifical light, and constant exposure to screens and smart phones, although it’s tough to break those habits altogether, as they’re deeply ingrained in all of our lives. If you must use electronics daily and into the evening, aim to turn these into “night mode” so they don’t emit as much blue light as you’re nearing bedtime. Most new electronics have this feature integrated now.

Practice relaxation techniques or have sex

Breathing exercises are an excellent help when it comes to calming down the mind and preparing for sleep. They are easy to do, and the results can be felt within minutes. Or, as many studies suggest, have sex before going to bed: the hormonal changes induced in our bodies during sex help us relax and sleep better.