3 nighttime struggles you only experience when living alone

Whether you're a night owl or the type who hits the pillow early, you will experience one of three major challenges of living solo and creating a routine can transform your quality of life.

1. Feeling too alert to sleep

One of the most common reasons why people living alone seem to be very active at nighttime is the inability to fall asleep, even when extremely tired.

The best way to deal with this is to establish a relaxing pre-sleep ritual that includes tech detox, journaling, or meditation to signal to your brain that it's time to wind down.

A lady sleeping Pulse Live Kenya

Tech detox: Begin by giving yourself a tech curfew. An hour before bed, switch off your gadgets to escape the blue light that disrupts sleep cycles.

Journaling: Reflect on your day or jot down what you're grateful for. This practice can significantly reduce stress and anxiety, making it easier to fall asleep.

Mindfulness and meditation: Engage in a short meditation or mindfulness exercise to calm your mind. Apps and sleep stories podcasts can really help with guided meditations that help you to fall asleep.

2. Nighttime snacking derails your diet

Snacking at night can quickly get out of hand when you're living alone, especially if you have no regular schedule around your meal times.

READ: 5 healthy snacks to eat when you wake up hungry at night

One solution is to prepare healthy snacks in advance and keep them handy. This prevents mindless eating and aligns with your nutritional goals.

Foods that promote sleep: These include almonds, cherries, or a small bowl of whole-grain cereal with milk. Avoid heavy, spicy, or acidic foods that can disrupt your sleep.

Herbal tea: A warm cup of herbal tea, like chamomile or peppermint, can be soothing and help ease digestion. Just make sure it’s caffeine-free.

Nuts and seeds Nuts and seeds are the foundational Blue Zones snack food, despite a bad reputation in the diet world for having a high caloric density, with just a handful packing up to 200 calories. They contain a wealth of nutrients like omega 3 fatty acids, linked to health benefits like less inflammation and lower risk of heart disease. Nuts and seeds that contain the highest amount of protein per serving include:Pumpkin seeds: 9 grams per ouncePeanuts: 7 grams per ounceAlmonds: 6 grams per ounceHemp seeds: 6 grams per ounceFlax seeds: 5 grams per ounce Business Insider USA

Evening exercise: Contrary to popular belief, exercising at night won’t necessarily keep you awake. In fact, activities like yoga or a brisk walk can improve sleep quality. Just avoid high-intensity workouts close to bedtime.

READ: 10 household items you can use for an effective home workout