When it comes to falling asleep, it pays to get into the right habits and even something as simple as brushing your teeth at night could get you to sleep faster.
Skipping out on the nightly-scrub could not only worsen your dental hygiene, but limit your chances of getting to sleep, according to a doctor.
The sleep specialist claimed that the ritual could actually be helping you get to bed quicker.
Taking to the Reddit thread Ask Me Anything, sleep specialist Dr David Kuhlmann explained the logic to a troubled sleeper seeking advice.
Skipping out on the nightly habit of brushing your teeth could not only worsen your dental hygiene, but limit your chances of getting to sleep, according to a doctor
The specialist and American Academy of Sleep Medicine spokesperson (AASM) said that good sleeping hygiene is great way to tackle insomnia
When asked what the most important sleep hygiene strategies are, he responded: ‘For me personally, the most important sleep hygiene technique that I use…. brushing my teeth.’
He continued: ‘It signals to my body that ‘Hey, you know what is next.’
For those struggling to get to sleep, he explained that a dark, cold room is another important hygiene consideration.
Asking for more tips, the troubled sleeper said: ‘What are some strategies (or medication) for issues with staying asleep, not falling asleep.’
The doctor advised: ‘The goal of sleep is not to be knocked out, but to wake up refreshed. Medications may knock you out, but if you wake up feeling the same or worse, or if you have rebound insomnia, then what’s the point?
‘Problems staying asleep can be from insomnia and obstructive sleep apnea, so consider those things. Also consider that it is normal to wake up at night.
The doctor asked the Redditter to further contemplate three things: ‘Are you able to get back to sleep’, ‘How long does it take?’ and ‘Does it impact the next day?’
The sleep specialist answered hundreds of comments on the Reddit thread from troubled sleepers, and advised them to switch off the TV before bed
The doctor explained that everyone wakes up during the night at some point, but it is how you deal with it that can determine whether it is a problem or not.
The popular post has received thousands of comments from other insomniac users, all wishing to get a better night’s sleep.
A common method of falling asleep is keeping the TV on as background noise, but the doctor has Dr Kuhlmann has advised against using the
He said: ‘The reason I am opposed to falling asleep with a TV is that it is a light source that requires active attention.’
But to sleepers who ‘really need’ the assistance of a TV, he said: ‘I would recommend a radio because it is not a light source and does not require active attention.’
Sleep expert, Dr Shalini Paruthi weighed in, advising Reddit users that falling asleep to the TV is okay as long as they are getting good quality sleep overnight.
However, she advised looking away from TV, phones and tablets as the emitted blue lights can delay the production of melatonin and prevent you from getting to sleep sooner.
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