In search of better sleep? Start by looking around your house. Some seemingly simple things you may already have on hand can help you sleep better and longer—and that translates to more energy all day. The best part: You can start using some of these surprising sleep aids tonight.
Hand Towel
The light from your alarm clock can be strong enough to beam through your eyelids, tricking your brain into thinking it should still be awake. Tossing a hand towel over the clock face brings back the night.
Tennis Ball
If you have a snoring spouse, sew a “pocket” in the back of his jammies and put a tennis ball inside. This’ll help keep him from sleeping on his back, which can lead to snoring.
Socks
Warming your feet widens blood vessels, letting your body heat move from your torso to your extremities. And spreading the heat out actually works to cool you a bit all over—good for helping you fall asleep and sleep soundly through the night.
Notebook
Starting a journal can help if you struggle with sleep. Note your activities (any exercise?), what you eat, and if you napped. At night, write down what time you go to bed. In the morning, jot down how long it took you to fall asleep, the number of times you woke up, and how rested you feel. After a week, you’ll likely see a pattern that will help you identify what’s causing you to lose sleep.
Or, if you simply have trouble clearing your mind at night, jot down what’s on your mind for a bit of release. Some women swear by ending the day with a list of five blessings.
Egg
Hunger pangs could wake you up. But a high-protein snack such as a hard-boiled egg or a little bit of cheese will satisfy your appetite and stop hunger from interrupting your sleep. Save some of your calorie budget for a small bedtime snack.
CD
Ease into sleep mode with some music. The trick: Listen to tunes that have 60 to 80 beats per minute. This range is close to your resting heartbeat and helps soothe you. A couple good songs to drift off to: “Come Away with Me” by Norah Jones and “Bubbly” by Colbie Caillat.
Decadent (yet smart!) desserts
