Are these wrong habits giving you sleepless nights?

Read to find out which habits can hamper your night's sleep.

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Written By: Agencies | Updated : May 22, 2014 12:24 PM IST

can't sleepCan't fall asleep even after a gruelling day at work? It could be a result of these following habits. Huffingtonpost.com shares some of the habits that are likely to spoil a sound sleep:

You're an inconsistent eater: Studies show inconsistent eating habits can have a negative impact on sleep later in the day. If you have dinner later in the evening, it's okay as long as you stick with it, every day. If not, skip the unexpected dessert.

Your mouth is minty fresh: Research suggests the scent of peppermint stimulates the brain, making you feel more awake. Try other flavours like strawberry or bubblegum instead.

You love a good book: Exciting, emotional and intellectually demanding activities before bed can lead to poor quality sleep. Go for something light like sports or entertainment magazine.

You smoke before bed: Nicotine is a stimulant, making it harder for you to fall asleep. If you can't give up cigarettes altogether, try to smoke hours before going to bed.

You splash cold water: Cold water helps close pores, but it also stimulates the body, releasing energy to keep warm and stay awake. Try washing your face with warm water in the evening. (Read: Do you binge sleep on weekends?)

In order to make sure you get a good night's sleep, here are some tips you could follow:

Don't sleep in: The most important thing about establishing a healthy sleep pattern is to wake up on time.

Don't use electronics right before sleeping: Many people use their phones or laptops right before they sleep. These gadgets emit light that signals the brain that it is time to wake up. (Read: Top 5 foods to help you sleep)

Nap strategically: A mid-day snooze often helps in optimising alertness, productivity and creativity.

Engage in physical activity: Physical activity is very important, people who do this often sleep better.

Think about sleep before sleeping: It is very important to prepare yourself for sleeping an hour or so before bed.

Eat right: Eat and drink the right stuff at the right time. (Read: Do you binge sleep on weekends?)

Read more about causes, symptoms, diagnosis and treatment of insomnia.

Source: IANS/Huffington Post

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