You’re a hard-working nurse who is constantly thinking about your patients. You’re tired and exhausted and you’d like to figure out how to sleep better. But how, you ask? Here are some tips to help you feel rested and rejuvenated!
1. Routine
Establishing a consistent routine is key to getting great sleep! Decide what time you will go to bed each night and the time that you plan to wake up. The key to this is sticking to it! Your body will become accustomed to the schedule and you will feel less tired and more energized the more your body gets used to it.
2. Do Not Disturb
This one is especially important if you work the night shift, or if you are a person who struggles with falling asleep or back asleep after awakened. Turn on the “Do Not Disturb” setting on your phone so no random texts or notifications will disturb your slumber.
3. Sleep-ify Your Bedroom
Does the sun come in through your blinds and wake you up earlier than needed? Is your room too warm or have no air flow? Get some blackout curtains and a fan to keep cool air blowing on you, as a cooler room is more conducive to sleep.
4. Nap Strategically
By strategically scheduling your naps, you can increase your alertness during the day without affecting your sleep at night! This is different for everyone and might mean napping during mid-afternoon instead of later in the day. Or timing your naps to be no more than 20 minutes or at least 60-90 minutes.
5. Step Outside
When you wake up in the morning, step outside and let the sun or fresh air hit your skin! The light can help regulate your body’s internal clock! Plus, that’s always a good way to start your day.
If you feel like you aren’t getting enough good sleep, try one of these tips! Do you have any sleeping tips for other nurses?
