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GET YOUR ZZZZZZ’S
Exhaustion can make you vulnerable to cold sores, so make sure you’re fighting fatigue by getting plenty of rest. Like stress and illness, fatigue can zap your immune system, making you easy prey for a cold sore outbreak. While there are plenty of things that can interfere with getting a good night’s rest — from stress to noise, to drinking caffeine too late in the day — here are some ways to set yourself up for quality sleep.
Tips for getting a good night’s rest.
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![Woman turning off a lamp | Create the right environment]( "Woman turning off a lamp | Create the right environment")
Create the right environment
Turn your bedroom into the perfect sleeping room by keeping it dark, quiet, and at the right temperature (around 65°F).1
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![Young Woman sleeping in a bed | Ban electronic screens from the bedroom.]( "Young Woman sleeping in a bed | Ban electronic screens from the bedroom.")
Banish electronic screens from the bedroom
The blue light from electronic screens like cell phones and laptops not only affect your ability to fall asleep, but the quality of your sleep as well. For a better night’s rest, make your bedroom an electronics-free zone.2
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![Woman sleeping and listening to music | Stick to a bedtime routine]( "Woman sleeping and listening to music | Stick to a bedtime routine")
Stick to a bedtime routine
Dim the lights an hour before going to sleep to let your brain know it’s time for bed. Do something relaxing, like reading a book or listening to music, to help you wind down from your day.
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![Man cutting vegetables in the kitchen | Eat sleep-promoting foods]( "Man cutting vegetables in the kitchen | Eat sleep-promoting foods")
Eat sleep-promoting foods
Foods like veggies, beans, lean proteins, and complex carbohydrates calm the body and get you ready for sleep. Remember, going to bed either too hungry or too full can equally disrupt your sleep.
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![Woman taking a nap on the couch | Plan your naps carefully]( "Woman taking a nap on the couch | Plan your naps carefully")
Plan your naps carefully
Napping for 10 to 30 minutes before 3 p.m. is ideal. If your nap is too long or too late in the day, it can interfere with your nighttime sleep.
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![Side profile of a man jogging | Move during the day]( "Side profile of a man jogging | Move during the day")
Move during the day
Daily exercise can help you nod off faster and sleep more deeply. Remember, exercising too late in the day can keep you up at night, so try to be active early in the day.
Create the right environment
Turn your bedroom into the perfect sleeping room by keeping it dark, quiet, and at the right temperature (around 65°F).1
Banish electronic screens from the bedroom
The blue light from electronic screens like cell phones and laptops not only affect your ability to fall asleep, but the quality of your sleep as well. For a better night’s rest, make your bedroom an electronics-free zone.2
Stick to a bedtime routine
Dim the lights an hour before going to sleep to let your brain know it’s time for bed. Do something relaxing, like reading a book or listening to music, to help you wind down from your day.
Eat sleep-promoting foods
Foods like veggies, beans, lean proteins, and complex carbohydrates calm the body and get you ready for sleep. Remember, going to bed either too hungry or too full can equally disrupt your sleep.
Plan your naps carefully
Napping for 10 to 30 minutes before 3 p.m. is ideal. If your nap is too long or too late in the day, it can interfere with your nighttime sleep.
Move during the day
Daily exercise can help you nod off faster and sleep more deeply. Remember, exercising too late in the day can keep you up at night, so try to be active early in the day.
