10 Perfect Tips To Help Wyomingites Sleep Better

I do it, you do it, even my elderly Grandmother does it, and we all wonder why we have sleep issues when we go to bed with our phones. There are many reasons for sleep issues, and it's such an issue that the University of Wyoming has a section of UWUO.EDU dedicated to it.

When I was a kid, I was always shocked to hear that other kids in my class were up past nine o'clock or that they were out on a school night until midnight. Just like not eating before school can affect the way you learn, sleep is key to your body performing at a high level.

READ MORE: Sleep In Heavenly Peace Supports Healthy Sleeping For Kids

According to Sleep is the Foundation, there are four stages of sleep, and they repeat multiple times through the night.

N1 - The hazy period when you begin to fall asleep, and it lasts between 1 and 5 minutes.

N2 - During this period, your brain, heart beat, and respiratory rate all slow down. You'll be in this state anywhere from 10 to 60 minutes.

N3 - Is when you fall into a deep sleep. This phase is a critical state where your body and mind are restored. Your brain processes memories and things you experienced throughout the day, and your body releases hormones to repair your muscles and immune system.

N4 - You've entered REM (Rapid Eye Movement) State, when your brain is nearly as active as it is while you're awake. Your brain uses this phase to clean out partial or unnecessary information, and where those wild dreams happen.

Getting good, quality, healthy sleep is key to having a good day. UW says that Sleep Hygiene can make a big difference and offers a few tips to help out.

Tips & Tricks to getting healthy sleep.

• Develop a sleep schedule - a consistent bedtime and wake-up time helps keep your body's clock in check.
• Bedtime routines - establish a relaxing routine that signals to your body that sleep is approaching. You should start the wind-down period at least 30 minutes before bed.
• Avoid phones - the electronics can reduce your body's natural melatonin production, keeping your body from falling asleep. If you can't eliminate the phone, turn on the night mode to decrease the blue light.
• Exercise daily - getting your body moving will help your sleep, as long as it's done at least three hours before bed.
• Grab a snack - try not to eat a big spicy meal right before sleep, it can cause discomfort, but a light snack can help your body.
• Improve your sleep space - cool, dark, and quiet are the best sleep conditions for most people.
• Only use your bed for your bed - using beds for something else, like homework or work, can create a stressful connection between you and your bed and cause sleep issues.
• Make your bed comfy and inviting - a good mattress, comfortable sheets, good pillows, and get your body excited to climb into bed.
• Rely on the sun - sunlight in the morning can help your body's clock stay in rhythm.
• No booze before bed - any substance use before bed can disrupt your sleep and cause a negative sleep experience.