Would North Dakotans Give Up the Internet for Better Sleep?

What would you do for a good night’s sleep?

A new survey found that 45% of respondents would be willing to give up the internet for a full year to sleep better. 43% said they would give up their phone, 41% they would give up their car, and 37% said they would even forgo a promotion at work if it meant getting a good night’s sleep.

Your weight, mood, memory, longevity, you would be hard-pressed to find a single aspect of your health that does not depend on getting enough shut-eye.

Staying glued to our phones and engaging online at night is a major contributor to disrupted sleep. Yet, there are additional factors that might be subtly affecting our ability to sleep, ones we may not even be consciously aware of.

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Do not let these seven sneaky sleep disrupters keep you up at night:

Your peppermint face scrub
"Right before bed is the one time you want to tamp down all five sense," says Travis Stork, M.D. "Avoid anything stimulating even if it is just a scent."

The nightcap
"Alcohol is one of the worst things, for a good quality sleep," ways Jennifer Ashton, M.D. Try tart cherry juice instead it contains melatonin, a sleep hormone.

A too-early bedtime
If eight hours is good, 12 is not better, says Stork. Too much sleep invites its own problems.

Decaf coffee
Surprise Decaf does not always mean caffeine-free, says Ashton. Some products contain up to 10 milligrams of caffeine enough to keep you up.

Tight bottoms
"Restrictive panties can keep you uncomfortable and awake," says Stork. "Just be comfortable."

Utter silence
Women are hardwired to be way more sensitive to noises at night, says Ashton. So a small sound in total quiet can jolt you awake. Level things out with a white-noise machine.

P.M. sweat sessions
High impact exercise less than three hours before bed could leave you with an energy rush, says Stork. if you must work out at night, take a bath before bed to lower your body temperature.

Many factors can interfere with a good night's sleep — from work stress and family responsibilities to illnesses. You might not be able to control the factors that interfere with your sleep. However, you can adopt habits that encourage better sleep. I promise, you're not doomed to toss and turn every night.