Tips and Techniques on How to Sleep Less and Stay Energized

The amount of sleep an individual needs varies from person to person. For some it's 8 hours, while some would say they need more than that. Perhaps you've been told that 7 to 8 hours of sleep should be enough, but is it possible to shorten this time without the risk of sleep deprivation? Can you sleep less without feeling sleepless?

Indeed, the quantity of sleep counts but it is the quality that's more important. For your body to function well during the day, you need good quality sleep. When you're able to get good quality sleep at night, you'll wake up in the morning with much vigor and enthusiasm. Even though you had less sleep, you can do your tasks cheerfully and energetically without feeling tired at all.

Here are some interesting facts, techniques and tips on how to sleep less and stay energized throughout the day:

Here Comes The Sun

Welcome it! Have the most natural light you can get. Let the sunlight in as soon as you wake up in the morning. Don't be afraid to expose your skin to sunlight. It's actually healthy for your body and it helps you fall asleep quickly at night. In case you can't get out under the sun or if you spend too much time indoors, you can use a daylight lamp, similar to the ones used by people with Seasonal Affective Disorder.

Eat For Good Quality Sleep

Sure warm milk and chamomile tea help us sleep well at night, but other foods such as bananas, potatoes and wheat bread also help improve sleep quality. Eating some of those in the evening is a good trick on how to sleep less and efficiently.

No To Long Naps

Try the clattering key or spoon nap technique. To do this, lie down or sit comfortably holding a spoon or a bunch of keys. When you lose consciousness, you'll automatically drop the keys or the spoon. The clattering sound will wake you.

Cut Down On Screen Time Before Bedtime

Avoid watching TV or logging on your computer before you go to bed if you want to get good quality sleep. According to a recent study, those who use electronic media just before bedtime report lower quality sleep even if they get the same sleep time as those who do not stare at the TV screen or computer monitor before bedtime.

Beat The Buzzer

Make it a habit to get up before your alarm clock goes off. Place one alarm clock on your nightstand and another one across the room. Make sure they're in sync.  Set the first alarm clock to go off at 7am (if that's the time you need to get up). Set the other alarm clock to go off exactly one minute later. When the first alarm clock buzzes, it won't really startle you. You'll choose to get up before the other one goes off.

Sleep Cycle Watch

Pay attention to your sleep cycle. Detect the exact moment when your sleep cycle ends so you'll feel alert and awake. When you wake up in the middle of a sleep cycle, you'll feel dizzy and tired. To do this, wake up 10 minutes earlier than usual. If you still feel tired, try waking up 10 minutes earlier than that.

Visualize

If you can't fall asleep quickly, use meditation or a visualization technique to clear your mind. If you're used to counting sheep, try visualization this time. It will also help you sleep well.

These tips on how to sleep less will help you improve the quality of your sleep. Follow them and you'll surely be more awake, active and energized.