The 6 Big Sleep Busters

February 5, 2008

The 6 Big Sleep BustersPosted Wed, Jan 23, 2008, 11:01 am PST

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At some point or another, it happens to everyone: You can't sleep. When you

finally drop off, the alarm buzzes a microsecond later. Then you can't get up.

And then it gets worse: When you finally drag yourself out of bed, you look like

youknowhat.

Can't imagine why the sleep gods had it in for you? Think about what you ate the

night before, says Somer, RD, author of The Food & Mood Cookbook. Any

of the following--much less a combo platter--can leave your body on uneasy

street for hours.

1. Spicy Foods Garlic, chilies, cayenne, and other intense spices are yummy

going down but can keep you up with heartburn or indigestion. Avoid MSG too, as

it can trigger dreams that are a bit too vivid.

2. A Big Dinner An overtaxed digestive system takes hours to settle down and

there's nothing restful about that. When sleep's critical, make lunch your

largest meal and enjoy a light 500-calorie dinner early in the evening.

3. Raucous Veggies Eat those good-for-you- but-gassy foods--beans,

cauliflower, broccoli, Brussels sprouts--in the middle of the day. A tankful of

gas can keep anyone up at night.

4. Speed Eating Relax and enjoy meals to avoid swallowing air, another common

cause of midnight tummy trouble.

5. Nightcaps Alcohol may make you drowsy at first but later on it disturbs

sleep patterns and leads to awakenings and restlessness. A 4-ounce glass of wine

with dinner won't hurt, as long as it's not within two hours of bedtime.

6. Coffee after breakfast Caffeine can linger in your body for as long as 12

hours. So if you're often wide-eyed at bedtime, make sure you're caffeine-clean

for at least 12 hours. (Skip tea, chocolate, cola, or other caffeine culprits

too.) Still watching the clock at 2 a.m.? Wean yourself off even morning java,

then stay caffeine-free for two weeks. If you definitely sleep better, you have

your answer: Caffeine is not your friend. If the results are mixed, " Try adding

back a cup or two of coffee or tea in the morning and watch what happens, " says

Somer. " But if sleeplessness comes back, cut it out. "

Getting 6 to 8 hours of sleep a night doesn't just make your eyes bright, your

skin happy, and your mind sharp, it can also make your RealAge as much as 3

years younger.

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