In my research, I’ve come to the conclusion that there is no “one size fits all” approach when it comes to sleep. Everyone is unique, and each person’s body responds differently to various stimuli and sleeping hacks than the others.
Listed below are the main practical strategies and sleep tests that I’ve attempted over the years. Experiment with the following to see what works best for you:
Physical tampering (Great for Beginner Sleep Hackers)
It is critical to identify which sensory arrangements are most favorable to getting the finest sleep possible. These differ from person to person, so it’s crucial to find out what your body reacts to the best before making any changes. And, sure, it is important to pay attention to all of one’s senses at all times. Here’s how each may contribute to the team:
Sight Enhancement Techniques
Pitch black against a little light: If you need complete darkness, invest in blackout curtains, sleep masks, and other techniques of concealing your vision. You may also try purchasing something like a nightlight or a colorful led light if you like some illumination – nothing too distracting, just something to offer a little illumination.
Sound Modifications
Ambient noise vs complete quiet: Some individuals prefer ambient sounds over complete silence. If this is the case, consider purchasing a white noise (or pink noise) machine, fan, or speaker that may be used at a low level. If you want complete quiet, you may want to try wearing earplugs to block out all background sounds.
Touch Hacks are a kind of software that allows you to interact with objects by touching them.
The difference between soft and hard pillows: Your pillow is an important investment when it comes to your sleep. Determine if a hard pillow or a soft pillow is more comfortable for you to sleep on. Once again, this is subjective and varies from person to person.
The same may be said for your mattress. Soft mattress vs. hard mattress: This is also true. Fortunately, there are a number of different solutions accessible. Test the difference between a hard and a soft mattress to determine whether you sleep better on one or the other. Once you’ve decided which is the best, invest in a high-quality model. They have a long life span and are well worth the money spent on them.
Light blankets vs heavy blankets: The weight of your blanket may also make a difference in how warm you are. Try sleeping with a light blanket rather than a thick one to see if you sleep better. These blankets are particularly beneficial for those who suffer from anxiety.
A large number of pillows against a small number of pillows: It’s vital to think about which kind of pillows would provide the greatest comfort for you. If you prefer to use a lot of pillows, you may want to consider purchasing something like a body pillow.
Finally, when you wake up, make a mental note of your sleeping posture. Because this is most likely your most comfortable sleeping position, it should also be the one that makes it simplest for you to fall asleep.
Temperature
Warm vs cold: Some individuals want a warm environment while they sleep. Some people need it to be frigid. Depending on your preferences, you may try sleeping with the windows open or closed, the air conditioning on or off, and warm socks or pajamas on your feet while sleeping. You may also utilize cooling gadgets for your pillow or bed, just as you can use heat blankets and additional linens to make your bed warmer when you want to sleep in comfort.
Mental heuristics (More Advanced Tricks)
Mental skills are equally as crucial as physical ones when it comes to survival. To put it another way, it’s beneficial to think of sleep as a talent that can be honed over time through practice and improvement. Here’s how you can go about doing that.
But at the end of the day, it is your lifestyle choices that are most important.
You will not be able to attain adequate sleep if you are just living an unhealthy lifestyle, no matter how many tricks you use. Founders of startups are particularly vulnerable to making bad decisions, such as eating poorly and gazing at bright blue light for extended periods of time. They also tend to spend the majority of their time sitting down during the day.
In order to improve your sleep quality before attempting these hacks, you should begin by engaging in activities such as exercising during the day, limiting your alcohol and caffeine intake (especially in the hours before bed), and refraining from using your computer or phone late at night before attempting these tricks.
At the end of the day, everyone’s body responds differently to various stimuli in different ways. Because the most effective sleep hacks and choices will always be individual, take some time to experiment with what works best for you when it comes to getting some shut-eye.
