Some people fall asleep as soon as their head hits the pillow and will stay in a deep sleep all through the night. While others take longer to fall asleep and will wake easily at any sound. Not everyone wants to sleep deeply all the time. There are times when people want to learn how to sleep lighter.
New parents who are co-sleeping may want to learn how to sleep lighter so they can stay aware of where their baby is on the bed. People who are prone to deep sleeping often miss their alarms and wake up times, learning to sleep lighter will benefit these people. Caregivers who need to be alert during the night, also need to be able to sleep lightly so that they are able to wake up when needed.
Stages of sleep
We all go through the different stages of sleep before we reach deep sleep. Everyone experiences these stages differently and for different lengths of time.
Stage 1: This is the first stage and happens when you get into bed, lie down and close your eyes. For some, this stage is very quick but for at least 30 minutes after you lie down, it will be easy to wake up.
Stage 2: During this stage, your body is getting ready for deep sleep. You will still be easily disturbed by things around you but your body is relaxing.
Stage 3: Deep sleep happens in this state. You can still be woken up from this state but if you are woken you will feel disorientated and groggy. It is during this stage that you enter REM and you will experience intense dreams.
Tips to Help You Sleep Lighter
1. Get Enough Sleep
Each person requires a different amount of sleep but if you are trying to sleep lighter it is important to make sure you are getting enough sleep. If you are not getting enough sleep and your body is tired, you will need more sleep and your body will go into a deep sleep and it will be harder to wake up. Before you start training yourself to sleep lighter, make sure you are getting enough sleep.
2. Nap
Your body needs periods of deep sleep to ensure that your mind and body function optimally. Short power naps when you are tired can help you stay alert and help you to sleep lighter for long periods. When you nap, set your alarm to wake you up at 30-45 minute intervals. This means you will wake up before you enter the deep sleep stage and you will teach your body to wake up when it hears the sound of the alarm.
3. Add a night light and background noise
Sleeping with a dim light on can help you wake up easier and when you do wake up you will not feel disorientated because you will be able to see what is going on. Keeping the TV on in the background also helps to keep REM cycles shorter, allowing you to wake up easier.
3 Of The Best Pillows To Sleep Lighter
When you sleep, even if you are training yourself to sleep lighter you want to make sure you are as comfortable as possible. If you are not comfortable then you will not be able to fall into a deep sleep and will wake up tired. A new pillow or one suited to your sleeping style will help you sleep soundly.
Sleep Innovations Memory Foam Pillow
When you sleep on this pillow it will provide you with the right support for your neck and back. This means your body will relax and you will be able to fall asleep easily which is why we love this pillow. There are two contours of this pillow, allowing you to personalize your comfort even further. Once you are in your deep sleep state you will sleep soundly but will be able to wake up easily.
Xtreme Comforts Shredded Memory Foam Pillow
When you have this pillow, you will look forward to bedtime every single day. It provides the ultimate in comfort. You will be able to sleep restfully, but lightly when you lay your head down on this pillow. The shredded memory foam can be moved and molded until you have found the perfect position for your sleep style.
It is important when looking for a new pillow, to consider how you sleep. If you favor sleeping on your back and side then this is the perfect pillow for you. It will conform to the natural contours of your body allowing your spine and back to align perfectly so that your body is able to relax, allowing you to fall asleep easily and comfortably. The pillowcase of this pillow can be easily removed and washed.
All of these pillows are available on Amazon and you can take advantage of their free shipping shopper toolkit. You can also “ FoundItOnAmazon free shipping” to find more awesome pillows to help you sleep lighter.
