Alaska Sleep Education Center

How To Have a Sleep-Friendly Home

Large cities such as Los Angeles have a tendency to make life feel rushed especially when traffic makes what should be a 10 minute drive home a much longer hour long drive Thats valuable time out of the day Its no wonder more than a third of Americans arent getting enough sleep You need restful sleep so your body can repair replenish and prepare for the next day If youre struggling to get enough sleep which experts say should be about seven or eight hours here are some tips to help you create a sleep friendly home

Take Care of That Noisy Water Heater
Homes can make all kinds of strange sounds at night that keep you up One of the most common is the noises your water heater makes when it has a water hammer Water hammer is caused by air that gets in the pipes and creates a vibration that moves through the pipes and water heater
Water hammer creates wear on your plumbing and could result in a leak Its important that you get the issue resolved so you can not only protect your home but also so you can get your pressure sleep Locate a water heater company in Hollywood to get the job done right

Cut Off Electronics
The electronics everyone likes to stare at are actually delaying the onset of the sleep hormone melatonin If your retina senses light it signals your brain to remain alert If you delay melatonin production you can find yourself lying awake in a dark room frustrated that sleep doesnt come on sooner
The fix for this issue is simple Stop watching the tv working on your computer or looking at your tablet or phone at least an hour before bed Two hours is even better

Turn Down the Thermostat
When you sleep your bodys temperature naturally drops You can help it cool faster by lowering the temperature in your room at night This is why many people enjoy sleeping with a fan on at night Somewhere at 67 or below is perfect for falling into a deep slumber
Be careful to not go too cold Temperatures below 61 can also deprive you of sleep Especially if you wake up shivering

Keep Your Room Clean
If you work in your room its difficult to associate your room with sleep You may need to train your mind to relate being in your bedroom to sleeping and nothing else Remove any desks for work exercise equipment and televisions
It also helps to keep your room clean so you dont feel anxious thinking about everything you need to do Declutter your room and keep it simply so theres nothing to distract you from the job at hand which is getting sleep That way when its time to sleep everything is ready and waiting to take you away to far off dreams and sleep cycles

Use Room Darkening Curtains
For many who try to get shuteye outdoor lights can be a nuisance to their slumber From headlights to streetlights if you have lightweight curtains youll be plenty aware of whats going on outside
Hanging room darkening curtains will work to block the light Heavy curtains can also double to help reduce outdoor noise Look specifically for labels that say blackout

Have a Comfortable Bed
Mattresses werent made to last forever If youve been sleeping on the same mattress for 10 years or more youre past due for a new one As mattresses age they lose shape They can sag in some areas or flatten in others
Pillows are the same way If youre always trying to get your pillow just right you may not be using the right pillow
Purchasing a mattress might seem like a big investment but sleep is vital to your daily functioning Think of it like a car You need it and you need a reliable one When you look at it that way the mattress is much more affordable

Make Sure It Smells Good
Your bedroom should have a pleasant scent If it has an odor such as must let it air out on a nice day by opening the windows Choose your favorite mechanism for scents whether its a satchel of potpourri or a stick of incense
Essential oils are a great way to make your room smell cozy and peaceful A diffuser is a safe alternative to a candle or plugin

Keep Your Sheets Clean
Its actually been studied and determined that people sleep better on clean sheets Changing sheets may seem like a chore but you cant deny that you too enjoy the fresh scent and feel of crisp clean sheets
Using a scent booster in the washing machine can make them especially pleasant If you time the dryer just right on a cold winter night you can pull them out just in time to experience their inviting warmth against your skin

Keep It Swept and Mopped or Vacuumed
When dust gathers in the corners of your room or under your bed it creates the perfect environment for dust mites These little critters can create allergy like reactions that trigger respiratory issues including asthma
Get under the bed every season and give it a good cleaning Vacuum or sweep and mop your room at least once a week and make sure you get those hard to reach areas as well

Keep a Regular Schedule
Your circadian rhythms prefer a regular sleep schedule That way your body knows what time it can start winding down If you have to be up at 6AM every morning then getting to bed by 10PM every evening should help you feel refreshed and renewed every morning when you wake up
With sleep hormones and circadian rhythms working in your favor youd think it would be easier to just fall asleep every night But remember humans didnt always have artificial light entertainment on a backlit screen sounds of traffic and clutter invading their sleep space
If you try all these tips and find youre still struggling to sleep it might be time to visit the doctor You could have a sleep disorder that is treatable with a prescription Its not a cause for alarm as 70 million other Americans suffer from them as well
Sleep is a complex facet of your life and it would behoove you to ensure you take care of this important biological function After all you spend more than a third of your life with your eyes closed The best sleep starts with a clean noise free light free environment along with a regular schedule
For some their sleep problems go beyond any small home adjustments  You dont have to battle lack of sleep alone  call Alaska Sleep clinic today  907 420 0540 to speak with one of our board certified sleep specialists  Improve Your Sleep  Improve Your Life
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Jennifer Hines
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Alaska Sleep Clinic's Blog

Our weekly updated blog aims to provide you with answers and information to all of your sleeping questions.

Brent Fisher, MBA, FACHE, FACMPE
President and Chief Executive Officer

“Alaska Sleep Clinic has a history of providing the most comprehensive sleep medicine services in the state of Alaska. Its potential has only begun. I am here to take these high-quality, comprehensive services to all Alaskans.”

Experience

Brent Fisher has held leadership positions spanning a wide variety of complex and start-up organizations: manufacturing (pharmaceutical & medical device), software development, hospitals (academic and community), medical groups, consulting, hospice, military, engineered devices, engineered plastics, and private equity.

Publications and Organizations

His writings have been published in various magazines, trade journals, and medical journals, including the Physician Executive Journal, Healthcare Executive, Modern Healthcare, Group Practice Journal, New England Journal of Medicine, and Journal of Healthcare Management (Best Article Award).

He has served on the Board of Directors of professional associations, civic organizations, and businesses.

Hobbies and Activities

Brent enjoys being with his family, serving in the community, hiking, camping, fishing, and hunting.