After Dinner Routine That Can Help You Sleep Better

What do you typically do after finishing dinner? As tempting as it is to stretch out on the sofa and doomscroll after a long day, it’s not the ideal way to spend your time after eating when it comes to your digestion, which can significantly impact how well you sleep.

Dietitians point out that what you do after the evening meal makes a big difference to how you feel and snooze. They recommend these post-dinner habits to promote healthy digestion, which supports more restful sleep.

• Take a light walk - A short, leisurely stroll after eating will help food move more efficiently through your digestive system, reducing bloating and discomfort. Even 15 minutes of low-intensity walking around your house or neighborhood makes a difference. Staying upright also helps reduce the risk of acid reflux and research from Harvard Medical School shows that even light activity before bed can help you fall asleep faster and increase sleep time by up to 30 minutes.
• Create a calming wind-down routine - Spending your time after dinner doing relaxing things helps support the body’s “rest and digest” mode, which doesn’t happen if you feel rushed or stressed. After the walk, dim the lights and try reading, stretching, journaling, soothing hobbies like coloring and taking a warm bath.
• Drink water - Staying hydrated all day is important, and that doesn’t end after dinner. Supping water also helps the body break down food and prevents issues like constipation. Caffeine-free teas, like peppermint or ginger, are also good after a big meal and can help you relax before bedtime.

Source: Real Simple