Summertime Sleep Problems? Here’s What You Can Do

The warm weather and long days of summer can be energizing. However, as wonderful as summertime is, it does have a few downsides. For example, many people find that the quality and quantity of their sleep suffers during this time of year. This can be especially draining for individuals with sleep apnea. What can you do to achieve better rest over the next few months? This blog post provides some helpful tips.

Use Blackout Curtains

Long summer days can trick your brain into staying alert beyond your usual bedtime. You might also wake up earlier than planned, resulting in significantly reduced sleep. Many people find that installing blackout curtains in their bedroom is helpful. Creating a dark environment for sleep can encourage the release of sleep hormones that will help you drift off sooner and stay asleep until it is the right time for you to wake up.

Stay Cool

High temperatures can make it difficult to fall asleep and stay asleep. Ideally, you should sleep in a slightly cool environment, so do not hesitate to turn up the power on your AC a little. Or, if you do not have AC or are concerned about electricity costs, you can try using cooling bed sheets and sleeping near a fan. Placing a bowl of ice in front of the fan can also help you to cool down.

Manage Your Social Calendar

Summer can be a busy social season. Your friends may invite you to concerts in the park or to their favorite restaurant for a round of evening drinks. While social interactions can be very healthy, you should be careful that they do not interfere with your sleep too much. Set a bedtime and do your best to stick to it, especially if you have to wake up early in the morning.

Do Not Eat Too Late

When you eat, your body diverts energy to your digestive system. That can make it challenging to fall asleep! Unfortunately, many people get into the habit of eating late in the day during summertime. Try to plan your last meal or snack so it is at least a couple of hours before you go to bed.

Plan Your Vacation Carefully

Do you plan to take off on vacation this summer? If you are traveling to a different time zone, be sure to give yourself enough time in your schedule for your body to adjust. Otherwise, you could miss out on precious sleep!

It is also important that you bring your sleep apnea treatment with you when you travel. An oral appliance from a dentist is much smaller and easier to pack on a plane than a CPAP machine.

Summer can pose some challenges for high-quality sleep. Use the tips in this article to protect your rest during this time of year.

Meet the Practice

As a double board-certified dental sleep medicine provider, Dr. Kenneth Mogell has already helped countless patients to achieve higher-quality sleep via oral appliance therapy. If you have been struggling to get enough rest, he and our team can provide personalized advice and recommend treatment if appropriate. To learn more about us and how we may be able to serve you, get in touch with any of our locations or call our Melbourne office at 321-265-3462.