HAVING A GOOD NIGHT’S SLEEP allows your body to function at its best: It boosts your immune system, lowers stress, improves mental sharpness and may even lower your chances of overeating. But as anyone who has ever sat up at night staring at the clock knows, getting the recommended seven-plus hours can be elusive.
There is no shortage of techniques that really work: sleep in a darkened, cool bedroom; avoid prolonged screen time before bed; get regular exercise; and aim to wake up and go to bed at the same time every day.
But we unearthed some lesser known ideas from around the world that are well worth a try.
1. People in China Wash Their Feet Before Bed
Foot massages and spa treatments that are focused on the feet—including aromatherapy and wrapping the feet in warm towels—are widely practised across China. What could be more relaxing? The ritual is so beloved that many people perform a DIY version at home before bedtime each night.
Automatic foot spas are ubiquitous in Chinese households. Every night, people soak their feet in hot water; many machines have exfoliating and massage functions, too. The routine is done right before bed, so that after you dry your feet, they are still warm when you tuck in.
Beyond the hygiene aspect, putting feet in a warm basin and massaging them can stimulate blood circulation by dilating your vessels. Having warmer feet may lower your core body temperature, helping you fall asleep faster.
A 2018 South Korean study of people who wore socks to sleep, which warms the feet, found that they fell asleep seven minutes faster than those who didn’t wear socks. And they slept for 32 minutes longer, too.
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