Have you ever experienced waking up tired already? It is as if that you have never even slept and rested? The saying “woke up on the wrong side of the bed” describes that feeling well. There is no right or wrong side of the bed; it simply happens when people fail to have a good sleeping experience.
Mornings feel awful and heavy whenever people wake up on the proverbial wrong side of the bed. You can spend two hours waiting for your coffee to kick in and take effect, but you will still find yourself feeling groggy by noon. How come? Why does this morning’s condition take so much toll on our system?
Why Do People Wake Up on the Wrong Side of the Bed?
There are many reasons, and it is not just about being deprived of a good night’s sleep. That is why many people cannot generally claim that lack of sleep causes them to wake up on the wrong side of the bed. Some sleep for longer hours but still feel awful when waking up. People might be going through something affecting their mental state, therefore also affecting their sleep.
Those who are experiencing troubles at work may find themselves waking up dreadful about Mondays. Some might just not be taking care of themselves right. In these trying times, some people might be going through grief and bereavement over the loss of a loved one, affecting not only their sleep but their entire lives. Whatever the reasons are, everyone deserves to wake up properly and light to a good morning again.
That said, here are three things you can try to start waking up on the right side of the bed again:
1. Refrain from Working on Your Bed
The advent of work-from-home setups has changed the way people do things at home. It has already blurred the boundaries between work and personal space, making it alluring for people to work on their beds. After all, it is like lying down and working at the same time. Unfortunately, this habit is confusing your mind and body as well.
See, it is the same way that nighttime signals your brain that it is time to sleep. When your body becomes used to this habit of working on your bed, you will feel sleepy less and less when you are in bed. Until to the point where you struggle to fall asleep because your brain thinks you should be working.
Your bed should only be for two things, and the rest should not count. Practice this, and you will be surprised how quickly you will fall asleep after lying down.
2. Get the Appropriate Mattress for Sleeping
Did you know that different mattresses address different sleeping needs? Having a soft and bouncy mattress is not for everyone. Others sleep better with a firm one, and some feel more comfortable without a bed frame. So if you have been waking up with a sore back and stiff neck, you should check on your bed too.
If you tend to sleep on your back, a firm mattress will allow you to sleep better without causing strain to your spine. However, when you tend to sleep on your tummy, a softer one will ensure that you are not hard-pressed against your bed. Even people suffering from chronic back pains have been using the same bed for more than a decade.
When you are constantly struggling to wake up properly even when nothing is going on and you are fine, chances are, your mattress is not the right one for you.
3. Allow Yourself at Least Two Hours of Free Time Before Bed
Usually, when people sleep tired, they wake up exhausted too. Just like when you sleep drunk, you will wake up feeling awful. However, when you start sleeping on the right side of the bed, you will wake up on the right side.
Do not take caffeine at least two hours before bed, and that means no more working. Use this allotted time to take a warm bath and do skincare. Change into fine cotton sleeping clothes and ease yourself to fall asleep. Also, there should not be any social media activities. Instead, start reading a book as it relaxes and readies your brain for REM sleep. The point is to prep yourself to sleep too, the way you would tuck in a child to bed.
Waking up right is not an acquired skill; it is a habit that can affect your whole day’s productivity. So if you are a working professional who cannot afford to be frustrated and grumpy the whole day, you need to start working on your pre-sleeping habits today.
