There’s nothing like cozying up under the covers and scrolling through your Instagram feed after a long day. But if you’ve ever wondered why you have so much trouble sleeping, your phone might be to blame.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe light<\/a> from your phone (or any other source) at night \u2013 even dim lighting \u2013 can negatively affect your biological clock by suppressing melatonin production, [which regulates sleep],\u201d says Deborah E. Anderson<\/a>, a licensed psychologist and certified yoga instructor. The blue light essentially mimics the sun, thus waking up your brain. Studies<\/a> also show that screen exposure at bedtime disrupts your REM sleep, which is important for things like learning, memory, creativity, and mood, and makes it harder to wake up the next morning.<\/p>\n Instead of swiping, scrolling, and double tapping in bed, here are five alternative ways to decompress before you catch some zzz’s.<\/p>\n Create a bedtime routine<\/strong> Breathe<\/strong> Meditate<\/strong> Strike a (yoga) pose<\/strong> Make a gratitude list<\/strong> xx, The FabFitFun Team<\/p>\n
\nAnderson recommends an evening ritual at least one to two hours before bed so your brain has time to naturally make more melatonin and shift into relaxation mode. Try activities that use your senses like taking a bath, using lavender essential oil, playing some quiet soothing music, or picking up a book (no tablets!). A regular sleep schedule also helps.<\/p>\n
\nA simple breathing exercise can do wonders. \u201cBreathing with intention, particularly when you engage your diaphragm muscle, turns on the relaxation response,\u201d says Anderson. She suggests trying some belly<\/a> or alternate nostril<\/a> breathing techniques, which essentially tells your body that it’s safe and can now go to sleep.<\/p>\n
\nMeditation is a powerful tool, as it can help quiet your mind so you feel calmer and more at peace, according to Anderson. If you’re not sure where to start, you can try guided meditations on FabFitFunTV<\/a> or download mobile apps like\u00a0Headspace<\/a> or\u00a0Insight Timer<\/a>.<\/p>\n
\nAfter yoga, you’ll feel lighter on your feet and calmer in your head. If you don\u2019t have a lot of time on your hands, even one pose can do the trick. Try putting your legs up on the wall<\/a>\u00a0to help you relax. “It’s also great for draining fluids and swelling in your legs,” says Anderson.<\/p>\n
\nIt\u2019s easy to get caught up in the daily grind and lose perspective of all the stuff that’s going right<\/em> in life. Take a moment to reflect on the day to help cultivate happiness and contentment and to remind yourself to be more present and mindful, suggests Anderson.<\/p>\n