Psychology States of Consciousness: Sleep Research Paper

I find that I could fall asleep almost anywhere, but especially after eating or when trying to relax. I am usually asleep within minutes of going to bed, but struggle mightily to get up in the morning. On a daily basis I find myself stressed to get through the day without felling tired, irritable and drowsy.

According to the Mayo Clinic's Sleep tips: 7 steps to better sleep (2012) there are 7 steps that one can use to achieve better sleep. These include:

Sticking to a regular sleep timetable -- going to bed and getting up at the same time every day, even on weekends, holidays and days off strengthens ones sleep-wake sequence and helps encourage better sleep at night.

Paying attention to what one eats and drinks -- one should never go to bed either hungry or stuffed as the discomfort might keep them up.

Creating a bedtime ritual -- one should do the same things each night in order to tell their body it's time to wind down.

Getting relaxed -- one should make a room that's perfect for sleeping.This frequently, means a cool, dim and silent place.

Incorporating physical activity in ones daily routine - regular physical activity can endorse better sleep, aiding one to fall asleep sooner and to benefit from deeper sleep.

Managing stress - when one has too much that they need to get done and too much to think about their sleep is likely to suffer. In order to help restore peace, one should consider healthy ways to manage stress. Before bed, one should jot down what's on their mind and then set it aside for the next day.

If a person attempts to put these things into practice they are likely to achieve better sleep at night and therefore be more functional during the day.

References

Brain Basics: Understanding Sleep. (2007). Retrieved from http://www.ninds.nih.gov/disorders/brain_basics/understanding_sleep.htm

Carpenter, S. & Huffman, K. (2009). Visualizing Psychology (2nd ed.), John Wiley & Sons.

Circadian Rhythm Sleep Disorders. (2008). Retrieved from http://www.aasment.org/resources/factsheets/crsd.pdf

Sleep tips: 7 steps to better sleep. (2012). Retrieved from http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/sleep/HQ01387.....