Is your bedroom conducive to good sleep?

Granted, I was in the midst of packing myself for a trip and my daughters for trips (separate ones!) but it still was out was out of control. I decided that the day before I left it was getting a good cleaning so that I would come home to fresh slate and hopefully be able to keep it that way. I’m on the airplane as I type this so we’ll see when I get home how clean it still is. 😉

For me, there are several aspects to a bedroom being conducive to a good night’s rest. We all know how important sleep is but how many of us actually get the  recommended amount?

Here are a few things we try to do- at least ideally- to keep our bedroom just right for sleeping.

I love this YouTube clip of ocean waves to helping keep me asleep. Our road has a business past our house and 18-wheelers start driving by our house at about 3:30 every morning. There are also several barking dogs and roosters that like to crow so it could make for a pretty interrupted night’s sleep. When I have the sound of the ocean playing beside me, I am able to ignore the disruptions a lot more easily.

I know I just said “play YouTube in your room” and now don’t have your phone. What gives? I try to play the ocean sounds on an iPod rather than my phone so I’m not tempted to pick up my phone in the middle of the night if I get up to use the rest room.  Nothing gets you more fully awake than reading an email about something you forgot to do! So leave your phone plugged in across the room- or out of the room if you’re comfortable with that. (if my kids are away for the night I always have my phone right by me in case there’s an emergency)

I have had a sprained ankle for almost 4 years now the pain comes and goes but sometimes I am unable to get to sleep because it’s causing so much pain. In these instances, Advil PM has become my best friend. It has the pain reliever for the sprain but also contains diphenhydramine to help me get to sleep. The last four years would have been much worse if not for Advil PM because everyone knows, if mama ain’t happy, ain’t nobody happy 🙂 This medicine can you if you’re suffering from occasional minor aches and pains- when used as directed, it helps you fall asleep soundly and awake well rested. Whenever I’m in Walgreen’s, I’m sure to pick up a bottle so that I always have some on hand. Walgreen’s is focusing on sleep solutions during the month of March, where you can find a variety of restful sleep aids in the store and helpful sleep tools and information online. (If you’re a bargain shopper, be sure to read to the end for a special deal)

In addition, I’ve suffered from frequent heartburn in the past. Taking  Nexium 24 on a regular basis really helped me get sleep during this time- there is nothing worse than getting woken up by acid reflux! While it’s not a sleep aid, it allowed me to sleep through the night when otherwise I would have reflux.

(*Of course if you have small children, keep medications out of reach)

I already mentioned this, but going to bed in a messy room is not good! We used to have my desk in our master bedroom and every night that the desk was a mess  I would get anxious instead of being able to relax. Unfolded laundry in our room can also keep my mind reeling at night! Do a quick clean up each evening and it will soon become habit.

Everyone who has seen my mask on me makes fun of me but I have to say that I love, love this thing! I have found that the older I get,the smallest amount of light will keep me up. This mask keeps all light out and I’m able to rest really well. On the few occasions I don’t have to get up early, I’m sure to wear this so that the light at 6 am doesn’t wake me up.

Because ZZZs are so important, Walgreens is offering a special promotion where you can earn 3,000 Balance Rewards points (a $3 value) when you buy 2 of the following participating products: Emergen-Zzz (a natural sleep aid*), Nexium 24HR, or Advil PM during the month of March. Be sure to stock up, and read more about sleep solutions.

*These statements have not been evaluated by the food and drug administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease