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  • We all love sleep.

  • But most people don't get enough of it.

  • Each year, the average American loses 11 days worth of productivity from lack of sleep.

  • This sleepiness can lead to memory loss, difficulty concentrating, and lack of motivation.

  • The average adult needs between seven and eight hours of sleep a night.

  • But the quality of sleep matters, too.

  • Here are a few tips for getting the best rest possible.

  • First, cool down your room.

  • The best sleep, on average, happens when the surrounding environment is around 65 degrees Fahrenheit.

  • And you might fall asleep faster if you warm your body up just before bed.

  • Coming out of, say, a warm shower into a cooler room causes a slight decrease in your body's temperature that can help make you drowsy by slowing down your metabolism.

  • Even if you're tucked under a warm blanket, researchers find that a cool head is conducive to better sleep.

  • Next, use light to your advantage.

  • Your body has a natural sleep cycle regulated by exposure to light.

  • So in the morning, get a nice dose of light to tell your brain that it's time to wake up.

  • An hour before bed, dim lights and turn off screens.

  • This cues the brain to prepare for sleep.

  • Finally, if you wanna get really serious about good sleep, you can incorporate herbs into your nighttime routine.

  • You can either breathe in a lavender oil before bed or put a lavender pillow on your eyes while you sleep.

  • Now this sounds really new agey, but the controlled trials done with lavender as a sleep aid actually really back up its benefits.

  • The effect is likely stronger if you pair lavender with some other relaxing evening routine like journaling or meditation.

  • So give these tips a try and see if better sleep can help improve your life during the day.

We all love sleep.

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