You'll fall asleep 20 percent faster and wake up more energized simply by cracking open a bedroom window for 10 minutes before bed. During the day, with the AC on and windows shut, carbon dioxide accumulates indoors, causing tossing and turning at night. Fresh air lets in more sleep-promoting oxygen.
Four Easy Changes for Better Sleep
Poor or interrupted sleep is practically an epidemic all by itself; more than 60 percent of people report tossing and turning at night. Sleep deprivation can weaken immunity, cause weight gain, and lower sex drive, not to mention make you cranky. A few easy changes can improve your chances of getting the solid sleep you deserve.
Open a Window
Use a Fan
Turning on a fan not only cools you off, but the gentle whir of its blades masks outdoor summer noise. Exposure to distracting noises shortens the time spent in the deepest stages of sleep.
Try a Red Night-Light
If it's hard to get back to sleep after getting up in the middle of the night, try a red night light. The crimson color doesn't restart your inner clock the way a white or blue light does, so you stay drowsy even during late-night bathroom trips.
Reduce Night Sweats With Lavender
Longer summer days throw off the body's temperature-regulating system, worsening night sweats. Tuck a lavender sachet into a pillowcase; breathing in the scent resyncs your temperature, cutting the frequency of night sweats in half.
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