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How the Heck to Get a Good Night's Sleep in Boston

By mswen | updated 2 months ago

You're tired. It's probably hot out. Maybe you have a big day tomorrow. Maybe you don't. No matter what, everyone wants a good night's sleep, and there are all sorts of tricks and tips to help you try to get one.

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sleeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeep

The stages of sleep

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How we sleep and dream

Get a good mattress

Start here please: if you are the least bit dissatisfied with your mattress, it’s time to get a new one.  Invest in the best you can afford, and, most importantly, try before you buy.  Sure, buying a mattress over the phone is super-convenient (and I’ve done that for guest room beds), but when you’re looking for one for yourself, it’s worth it to take the time and try out as many different ones as you can.  You might be really surprised at which type works for you.

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I’m not 100% sure, but the butler may not be included.

Jordan's Furniture

1 Underprice Way, Natick, MA 01760

Jordan’s has a great “Sleep Lab” where patient associates will take you from mattress to mattress and let you try out each and every one. They even have a pressure mapping program that will measure the pressure that occurs when you sleep in different positions.

Jordan’s has a great “Sleep Lab” where patient associates will take you from mattress to mattress and let you try out each and every one. They even have a pressure mapping program that will measure the pressure that occurs when you sleep in different positions.

Check out the "Sleep Lab" at Jordan's

Get some exercise

The National Sleep Foundation reports that exercise in the morning and afternoon can not only help you fall asleep easier, but actually improve your quality of sleep.  Just don’t work out close to bedtime – it’ll have the opposite effect.

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Jessica Simpson clearly understands the sleep benefits of jogging in the a.m.

Planet Fitness

175 William F Mc Clellan Highway, East Boston, MA 02128

This branch of Planet Fitness opens at 4:30 a.m. during the week – early enough for you to get in a workout before work.

This branch of Planet Fitness opens at 4:30 a.m. during the week – early enough for you to get in a workout before work.

Planetfitness.com

Turn off the electronics

Studies show that watching TV or surfing the internet before bedtime can cause you to wake up feeling like you haven’t had a good night’s sleep.  And, of course, perception is reality.  So shut off the telly and log off Digg and…

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A horrible, horrible idea.

Read

Easy enough!  Not only will you be able to chip away at that novel you’ve been meaning to read, or catch up on that stack of magazines you’re behind on, but reading will relax you and allow your mind to unwind before turning off the light.

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“I Was Told There’d Be Cake” by Sloane Crosley is a collection of witty essays about life in your twenties.

Borders Books Music Movies & Cafe - Cambridge

100 Cambridgeside Place Ofc, Cambridge, MA 02141

 

Keep it cool

A room temperature between 60 – 65 degrees is ideal for the most comfortable sleeping conditions.  Warmer temperatures will cause you to toss and turn from being too warm, so keep it as cool as you can.  If you get too cold, you can always add another blanket.

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A programmable thermostat will allow you to set the temperature to go up and down automatically.

Lowes

1500 Broadway, Saugus, MA 01906

Eat to sleep

Here are the top 10 foods that facilitate a good night’s sleep, in no particular order:


  1. Chamomile tea

  2. Warm milk

  3. Turkey

  4. Bananas

  5. Honey

  6. Potatoes

  7. Oatmeal

  8. Almonds

  9. Flaxseed

  10. Whole-wheat bread


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I’m tired just looking at it.

Whole Foods Market

15 Washington Street, Brighton, MA 02135

Turn on the noise

My three-year old niece goes to sleep hearing a humidifier humming and listening to a machine that plays cricket sounds.  Rather loudly.  And, it works.  So try a fan, a white noise machine, or a sound machine that plays relaxing nature sounds - it may help lull you to sleep. 

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The HoMedics Sound Spa Machine is equipped with 6 nature sounds and a timer that will turn it off after 15, 30 or 60 minutes.

Wal-Mart

780 Lynnway, Lynn, MA 01905

I’m sorry to have to send you here. Maybe you can order it online instead.

I’m sorry to have to send you here. Maybe you can order it online instead.

Shut off the light

Some people are more sensitive to light than others, and simply can’t fall asleep unless it’s pitch black.  So if you’re one of them, make the extra effort to do whatever you can to block any light coming into your room – shades down, shut off any random lights, and maybe – just maybe – get yourself an eye mask.  How Hollywood!

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The Tempur-Pedic eye mask blocks out pretty much all light. Ever. In the universe.

Brookstone

100 Huntington Avenue 41, Boston, MA 02116

Have sex

I won’t bother referencing scientifc studies trying to explain why sex is a great way to fall asleep.  But, as we all know, it is.  So just do it. 

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“OK, you’re really not understanding anything that you’ve just read here, are you?”

The quest for sleep

And after all of this galavanting, you’ll be ready for a nap!

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