Most of us have bad sleeping habits which includes scrolling through phones, getting too much engrossed in a book or even just not getting up to turn the light off.
What are the worst things to do before going to bed?
According to counsellor James Wanyoike a life coach at Thika Training Institute has some answers.
“Any activity that would cause an individual to have an increase in stress levels can impact a good night's sleep,”Wanyoike says.
“In general, and a thumb rule, anything that cause excessive anxiety or stress hormones will cause an increase in wakefulness and deter proper night’s sleep.”
Lying in bed scrolling through a smartphone before sleeping could risk sabotage of quality sleep.
Professor Espie once advised that it's healthy to avoid any stimulating activity before sleeping.
“It’s important at time to have a ‘wind-down’ routine taking an hour to an hour before you go to bed when you don’t do any work.
Avoid any ‘stimulating’ activity such as strenuous exercise, turn off any electronic devices and give yourself time to relax," he said.
Wanyoike revealed that avid users of technology during pre-bedtime can take up to an hour longer than average to eventually doze off than those who do not.
According to survey 65 per cent of Kenyans look at their smartphone or tablet last thing at night before they go to sleep.
He warned that the activities that affect sleep will vary depending on the individual. Sleeping is crucial and much preparedness is needed to relax the mind.