Have trouble sleeping and/or waking up?

The experts agree, quality sleep is key to good health.
Here are six tips for catching Zs from us at the ShockYard!

1.  Do you have a busy mind that won’t shut off when you go to bed?  Consider listening to music or a book on tape with a pair of Sleep Phones.  

These comfy headphones allow you to drown out noise without bothering your partner.  Pro-tip: Stash your phone or ipod in a drawer in your bedside table so you don't launch it into space as you roll over.

Testimonial by Laura: It used to take me an hour to calm my mind down enough to sleep each night or to go back to sleep if I woke up randomly, now I switch on an audio book and I'm out in 7-10 minutes.

2.  Do night time noises keep you up?  A good ol' box fan for $20 may be all you need to transform your home or hotel stay into a peaceful experience.  Bonus: It doubles as temperature control during those toasty summer months!

Testimonial by Casey: I started sleeping with a box fan to drown out my noisy neighbors, but now the soothing sound has become a cue for my body that it's time to go to sleep!   

3.  Have trouble getting up when it's pitch black?  Consider splurging on a sunrise simulator alarm clock.  These clocks come in different styles with various bells and whistles (literally), but they all function on the premise that it's a whole lot easier to wake up when the sun is up.

These clocks can be set to slowly "rise" up to 30 minutes prior to your alarm going off.  Some versions feature full-spectrum light, which may help folks who struggle with seasonal affective disorder.

Testimonial by Laura:  Working at a gym means getting up before the sun most of the year.  Our clock makes our mornings actually look like morning rather than the middle of the night.

4.  Sleep time is for sleeping.  Are you on your phone texting, emailing in bed?  Are you watching all your favorite shows in bed?  Knock it off!

The National Sleep Foundation advocates minimizing tv/internet/reading while in bed so that your body strengthens the association between bed and sleep.

5.  Do you snore a lot?  You may be struggling with sleep apea and not even realize it.  

Apnea is when your breathing is interrupted during sleep and can induce mild (annoy your partner) to severe (increased risk of stroke) health issues. If you think you might be a candidate, consider participating in a sleep study to find out more about your nighttime blood oxygen levels. Treatments range from sewing a tennis ball to the back of your pajamas so you sleep on your side to wearing a fitted continuous positive air pressure mask at night.

6.  Get some exercise!!!  The National Sleep Foundation says getting a little exercise every day can make it that much easier to hit the hay.  So come on down to The ShockYard and let's get to work on wearing you out!