When it comes to falling asleep, it pays to adopt the right habits and even something as simple as brushing your teeth at night could put you to sleep faster.
According to one doctor, skipping your nightly scrub could not only make your dental hygiene worse, but it could also limit your chances of falling asleep.
The sleep specialist stated that the ritual could help get to bed faster.
In the Reddit Ask Me Anything thread, sleep specialist Dr. David Kuhlmann explained the logic to a person with sleep problems who was looking for advice.
Skipping your nightly tooth brushing habit could not only worsen your dental hygiene, it could limit your chances of falling asleep, according to a doctor.
The specialist and spokesperson for the American Academy of Sleep Medicine (AASM) stated that good sleep hygiene is an excellent way to combat insomnia
When asked what the most important sleep hygiene strategies are, he responded, “For me personally, the most important sleep hygiene technique I use… brushing my teeth.”
He continued, “It signals to my body that ‘Hey, you know what’s next.'”
For those who struggle to fall asleep, she explained that a dark, cold room is another important hygiene consideration.
When asking for more advice, the troubled sleeper said, “What are some strategies (or medications) for problems staying asleep, not falling asleep?”
The doctor advised: ‘The goal of sleep is not to become unconscious, but to wake up refreshed. Medications can knock you out, but if you wake up feeling the same or worse, or have rebound insomnia, what’s the point?
‘Problems staying asleep can be due to insomnia and obstructive sleep apnea, so consider those things. Also consider that it is normal to wake up at night.
The doctor asked the Redditter to further consider three things: “Can you go back to sleep?”, “How long does it take?” and ‘Does it affect the next day?’
The sleep specialist responded to hundreds of comments on the Reddit thread from people with sleep problems and advised them to turn off the TV before going to bed.
The doctor explained that everyone wakes up during the night at some point, but it’s how you deal with it that can determine whether it’s a problem or not.
The popular post has received thousands of comments from other insomniac users, all wanting a better night’s sleep.
A common method for falling asleep is to keep the television on as background noise, but physician Dr. Kuhlmann advises against using the
He said: “The reason I am opposed to falling asleep with a television is that it is a light source that requires active attention.”
But for sleepers who “really need” the help of a TV, he said, “I would recommend a radio because it’s not a light source and doesn’t require active attention.”
Sleep expert Dr. Shalini Paruthi weighed in and warned Reddit users that falling asleep in front of the TV is fine as long as they get a good night’s sleep.
However, he advised looking away from television, phones and tablets, as the blue lights emitted can delay the production of melatonin and prevent falling asleep sooner.
