How to get better sleep

Simple tips to help you rest with ease

Sleep is an important part of you overall health and wellbeing. Not only does getting quality sleep help you be more alert and active, but it also helps you lower your risk of some chronic diseases. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), research has linked a lack of sleep to higher risk of cardiovascular disease, diabetes and depression.

Tips for a better night’s sleep

Adults should try to get at least seven hours of sleep each night. The National Sleep Foundation recommends these tips to help you sleep better:

• Avoid exercising, eating or using electronic devices (phones, tablets, laptops, etc.) right before bed
• Stick to a regular sleep schedule
• Get up at a regular time every day – this is more important than the time you go to bed
• Exercise regularly
• Avoid alcohol near bedtime, or don’t drink at all
• Avoid caffeine after lunch

Track your sleep

Tracking your sleep can help you notice ways to improve your bedtime routine and create healthy sleep habits. You can track your sleep using Sharecare, an app that can help you manage and improve your health and wellbeing. With Sharecare’s sleep tracker, you can track your bedtime, rise time and sleep quality so you can notice trends that can help you improve your sleeping habits over time. Sharecare also includes white noise audio recordings like rain, ocean waves and nature sounds to help you fall asleep.

Download Sharecare

Blue Cross of Idaho members have access to Sharecare, an app to help you live healthier by getting personalized tips for exercise, healthy eating and more. To get the app, visit bcidaho.sharecare.com to create your Sharecare account, download the app and take the RealAge® Test. Do not download the Sharecare app directly from the App Store or Google Play.

Talk to your doctor

If your sleeping issues aren’t going away, talk to your doctor to discuss ways that can help improve your sleep. If you need help finding a doctor, you can use our Find Care tool in the Blue Cross of Idaho member app and on the member portal. Make sure that you are logged in so your results show providers who are in your network.

Disclaimer: This wellness program is administered by Sharecare, Inc., an independent company that provides health improvement management services to Blue Cross of Idaho members. Sharecare, Inc., does not provide Blue Cross of Idaho products or services and is solely responsible for the health improvement management services it provides.

Posted: March 16, 2022