Better Sleep: Environmental Effects on Sleep
Better Sleep and Your Sleeping Environment
Choosing the right innerspring mattress with all Four Elements of Good Sleep plays an integral role in your quality of sleep, however your sleeping environment plays an equally important role. Factors that can alter a person's sleep/wake cycle can be divided into two general categories: intrinsic and extrinsic.
Intrinsic factors are usually associated with medical disorders that require treatment by a health care practitioner. Some of the most common intrinsic sleep disorders are sleep apnea and periodic limb movement.
Extrinsic factors are usually associated with environmental conditions that affect our sleep. There are several tips that sleep experts widely agree can help people deal with extrinsic factors that alter their sleep/wake cycle:
- Sleep on a mattress that provides proper support and reduces pressure.
- Sleep as much as needed to feel refreshed and healthy during the following day.
- Establish a regular sleep time.
- A steady daily amount of exercise will help deepen sleep.
- Occasional loud noises disturb sleep even if people are not awakened by them.
- Sleep in a cool environment. Body temperature affects the circadian rhythm of sleep. Optimal sleep occurs when body temperature is at its lowest level of the day.
- Hunger may disturb sleep. A light snack may help, but overeating may disturb sleep.
- Caffeine in the evenings disturbs sleep, even in those who feel it does not.
- Alcohol may help people fall asleep more quickly, but the sleep is then fragmented.
- People who experience frustration trying to sleep should get out of bed and do something different until they are tired.