The change of seasons brings new challenges for your sleep. Saying goodbye to winter means packing away the extra blankets and the fleece pajamas in favor of lighter sheets and open windows. But there are plenty of other things to prepare for to ensure yourself the best possible springtime sleep.
Prepare for the Humidity
Spring time may bring us warmer weather, but it also can bring us a considerable amount of rain. These two things combined results in an increase in humidity. While elevated humidity levels may be more evident in the summertime, springtime humidity can really make a difference, and it can sneak up on you. It’s essential to be mindful of this change in atmospheric conditions, as increased humidity can affect your comfort and well-being.
Humidity makes the air feel warmer, which throws off your ability to self-regulate your nightly body temperature. Using an air conditioner or dehumidifier can make a big difference and help you combat night sweats and congestion. Couple this solution with some lighter, seasonal sleepwear and you’ll be fast asleep until summer!
Remember Your Allergies
When the spring flowers start blooming, pollen and other allergens are released into the air for the first time in months causing your allergies to come roaring back in a big way. Uncontrollable sneezing, itching eyes, and asthma can make it much more difficult for you to fall asleep. If you are someone that suffers from these issues it’s important that you focus on preventative steps, instead of simply waiting to react.
Once you see the snow melting, and the plants blooming, start taking a daily antihistamine to help ease the onset of your allergies. Taking this with a tall glass of water will also help you stay hydrated; another way to fight off seasonal sickness. Additionally, consider showering at night instead of in the morning. This will wash away any lingering allergens you may have collected throughout the day, so you’ll be able to sleep more soundly, and be less likely to wake up feeling worse than when you went to bed.
Do Some Spring Cleaning
Spring is a season of renewal and rejuvenation, which is why so many people find it to be a perfect time for spring cleaning. Besides the aforementioned pollen that is being reintroduced to your system, open windows and cool springtime breezes can disturb dust and dander that’s been relatively still all winter long. These particles tend to settle on soft surfaces like your bed, couch, or pillow, putting you right back into a battle with your allergies. Do a quick dusting, sweeping, and vacuuming before you open up your house for the first time to help keep this to a minimum.
If you’re looking to do some more extensive spring cleaning (replacing furniture or other home upgrades) it always pays to make sleep a priority. If your room gets too much sun early in the morning, consider getting some blackout curtains. If you’ve spent too long on the same old mattress, maybe it’s time to upgrade perhaps with an adjustable mattress. Same goes for your couch, recliner, or anywhere you may be laying down for a nap. At first it may seem like a rather large investment, but mattress promo codes can easily be found online, as well as impressive discounts on quality couches. With some smart shopping, you can sleep for cheap all season long!
Turn The Sound Down
The cold and snowy winter months have a tendency to mute much of the noise outside your window. But as the weather warms, the outside world starts to increase in volume. Depending on where you live and what your sleep schedule is, you could be subject to any number of possibly disruptive sounds. Birds chirping, children playing, lawnmowers, construction, all of these things can be disturbing to your sleep after a winter’s worth of sound slumber. Especially if your home suffers from a lack of ventilation, and open windows are a necessity in the spring time.
You can solve this problem a few ways. Certainly using an air conditioner will enable you to keep your windows closed while maintaining a cool temperature in your home, but it won’t achieve the same freshness that you get with open windows. Ear plugs are an option as well, but using the wrong ones can be uncomfortable and you run the risk of sleeping through your alarm.
You best option here is a white noise machine. Often used to help infants stay asleep, they work wonders for adults too; establishing a baseline of background noise so that your brain doesn’t notice other disruptions when they start creeping in.
Once you’ve properly prepped your space for springtime sleep you’ll be ready to rise and conquer any and every morning. What are some of your ideas for getting the best seasonal sleep?
