What habits, gadgets or lack of helped you sleep better? As I heal from my chronic mental problems (CPTSD) I notice more and more how sleep affects my emotional stability, anxiety levels and productivity. I ditched alcohol, try to have a regular sleep schedule and lowered my caffeine intake especially in the second part of the day.
Ask HN: What helped you sleep better?
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Re: Ask HN: What helped you sleep better?
#2I need very little sleep ( 4-5 hours daily).
I have more time now and I do sports more because of that. I noticed it makes me sleep 1 hour more to recover.
And yes, my mood is better too.
Ps. Because of sports, i almost don't drink anything but water/milk.
Re: Ask HN: What helped you sleep better?
#3Audiobook (the less exciting the better) with a 30 minute timer and sleepbuds (flat earphones, so you can lie on them comfortably regardless of your head position).
Also recommended: try and stick to a regular sleep and wake time, the earlier the better.
Re: Ask HN: What helped you sleep better?
#4I find Valerian and chamomile tea help. Also turning off & moving my phone into another room to stop me checking it helps. I signal to my brain that it's time to sleep. I get racing thoughts, but that usually subsides after about an hour. If the thoughts are overly intrusive, I take notes, since they could be useful ideas to execute on in the morning.
Re: Ask HN: What helped you sleep better?
#5Getting sun every day. It's remarkable how much a difference it makes in causing me to feel tired at night.
Re: Ask HN: What helped you sleep better?
#6Audiobook (the less exciting the better) with a 30 minute timer and sleepbuds (flat earphones, so you can lie on them comfortably regardless of your head position). Also recommended: try and stick to a regular sleep and wake time, the earlier the better.
What sleepbuds do you recommend? I'm aware of bose sleepbuds but you can only play audio on them from their library
Re: Ask HN: What helped you sleep better?
#7Audiobook (the less exciting the better) with a 30 minute timer and sleepbuds (flat earphones, so you can lie on them comfortably regardless of your head position). Also recommended: try and stick to a regular sleep and wake time, the earlier the better.
What sleepbuds do you recommend? I'm aware of bose sleepbuds but you can only play audio on them from their library
I wouldn't like to recommend a particular brand as I just have cheap types that are flat earphones in a headband; "sleep phones" seems like the preferred google terminology, sorry. You can get them on eBay or Amazon for under $30 though there are no doubt better quality ones.
Re: Ask HN: What helped you sleep better?
#8Avoiding stress for about 3 years.
Re: Ask HN: What helped you sleep better?
#9For me it was the coffee. I had to quit. I was surprised how hard it was! Currently I'm at 1 tablespoon (I think 100mg) mixed in decaf with my french press. In addition to that my doctor suggested Ashwagandha and Holy Basil. I also use a weighted blanket. I'm a fan of a big pillow under my legs. Regular sleep schedule. Elon Musk suggested tilting your bed and not eating 4 hours before going to bed, that might help as well.
But I'm 90% sure cutting the caffine was the magic bullet.
Re: Ask HN: What helped you sleep better?
#10Eating 3 meals a day: Oatmeal for breakfast, something warm for lunch, then bread in the evening. Going outside for a run before I shower and sleep. Quitting caffeine and getting off the internet in the evenings too. Quitting my high stress job and getting one where I don't have to worry as much.