There are many benefits to Los Angeles City living like hipster brunch spots, sketchy metros and unrelenting sunshine. Unfortunately, a good night’s sleep is not one of those things. After countless nights of tossing and turning, we’ve discovered how to get the best sleep of your life even if you live in LA.
Hide from the Cityscape
City lights and city sounds might look cool on social media, but they do nothing for your good night’s sleep. If you haven’t invested in some blackout curtains, try getting a sleep mask to hide from the street lights. As for the crazy noise, try some white noise to block out the sounds, like a soothing music or a fan.
Buy an Air Purifier
Bacteria, toxins and other city grossness can negatively impact our bodies while we sleep. To get your body and slumber fully functioning, purchase an air purifier. This gadget removes all of the nasty stuff in the air that’s invisible to the eye. You will not only find yourself sleeping better, but you’ll be less sick and stuffy as well!
Hydrate
Toxins inside of your body are the worst. You already know they make you sick, but did you also know they keep you from sleeping soundly throughout the night? Drinking plenty of water helps so many ailments in your body, so if you aren’t drinking half of your body weight in ounces, just do it already.
Invest in Some Good Pillows
You may not be able to afford your own Sleep Number mattress, but your body’s muscles and alignment still needs to be taken care of while you sleep. Invest in a memory-foam pillow or a kapok pod fiber pillow (for those of you who are eco-friendly, animal activists). They will help keep your neck from stifening up, providing you with comfort all night long,
Enjoy Some Sleepy Time Snacks
Triptofan, found in warm milk or turkey, is said to help you fall asleep more quickly. If you can’t enjoy these items, try some chamomile tea to help you relax before bed.
Make Your Bed Your Personal Haven
Are you the type of person who throws all of their clothes, paperwork and general craziness on the bed, only to maneuver around it when you go to sleep? Don’t be like yours truly; make your bed a glorious haven you look forward to jumping into! Buy a beautiful comforter, light some candles near your bed and make your bed a place where the best dreams are made!
Say ‘No’ to Peer Pressure
Okay, so it’s not exactly pressure from your peers when you really, really want to go out. But say ‘no’ to partying once-in-awhile! This will allow your poor body to take a sick day and relax from all of the craziness you put it through. It will also help adjust your sleep schedule. Don’t have one? Well…
Make a Sleep Schedule
It’s important for your body’s circadian rhythm to adjust to a schedule. It’s easy with a crazy job, social life and fitness regimen to have a different bedtime, but people who go to bed and wake up at the same time are able to fall asleep faster and sleep deeper. Try your best to get at least 6-8 hours of sleep!
Don’t Stay Awake in Bed
If you’re having trouble sleeping, don’t toss and turn in your bed as that only makes it worse! If after 20 minutes, get out of bed and try a not-so-stimulating activity. Try reading in a chair, make a healthy snack for tomorrow or have a quick soak in the tub. You want to avoid putting too much pressure on yourself to go to sleep by getting your brain working on a casual activity.
Count Sheep, Not Tasks
Is tomorrow’s agenda freaking you out? Change your active brain channel to something not as terrifying. Count the things you are grateful for or count backwards from 100.
Take Care of Your Body
LA, home to foodie heaven, is full of crappy, yet delicious foods. While we understand the struggle of putting down the In-N-Out, try to nourish your body with whole ingredients. All of the sodium, sugar and hard-to-pronounce ingredients upset your digestive tract, forcing you to wake up in the night and head for the nearest bathroom. And while we’re at it…
Work Out a Little
Los Angeles isn’t a walking city like New York or Chicago is, which means you gotta hit the gym every now and again. We all know that working out helps reduce stress and promotes good heart health, but a recent study explains that “… regular physical activity may serve as a non-pharmaceutical alternative to improve sleep.”
So try them all, try 5, try 1! The more steps you incorporate from our guide above, the more likely you are to get the best sleep of your life. Of course, signs of insomnia could mean something deeper is happening inside of your body, so visit a doctor if your sleepless nights continue.
About the Author
Sebrin Elms is a newlywed, travel fanatic, book lover, champagne connoisseur and kitty mama. When she’s not globe-trotting or wearing flower crowns, she’s probably writing on her blog, The Clumsy Traveler.
