Tips on Getting to Sleep

I don’t know about you, but I rarely fall asleep easily. I have tried every over the counter sleeping aid on the market with no luck. And, my doctor even has me on some drug that is supposed to slow my mind down out night and help me relax and fall asleep. If I am honest, it only works 20% of the time. The rest of the nights I lie in my bed and think. Sometimes, I could lie there for hours, tossing and turning.

There are nights when I wake up and figure I might as well get up and start working. It is probably around 4am when this happens. Then, during other nights I just look at the clock every hour and think, “I can’t believe I have not fallen asleep yet.” On those nights, I usually do not have the luxury of sleeping in. However, I think it is the worst when I am exhausted from a long week and I cannot fall asleep. My body is tired, but my brain is not. So, if it is not obvious, I need help getting better sleep. Yet, so do a lot of people.

So, here is a list of some helpful ideas to help all of us get better sleep.

1. Exercise daily. If you don’t want to go to the gym, take a walk.

2. Do not drink caffeine after 7:00 pm

3. One hour before you go to bed, avoid work that requires alert thinking. You should not be analyzing an article. However you could address envelopes.

4. Make sure your bedroom temperature is a little bit cold.

5. Your bedroom should be dark. Even light from an alarm clock may disrupt your sleep.

6. Chaos will disrupt your sleep, so make sure your bedroom is clean and tidy.

7. When you cannot sleep, breathe slowly and deeply.

8. Many people can’t sleep because their minds are racing. Write down what is on your mind. This way you will not forget it.

9. Put lotion on your body. It feels good and it also helps cool the body temperature down.

10. Put socks on your feet if they feel cold.

11. Drink something warm. A warm drink is known to help induce sleep.

12. Stretch. Loosen out your entire body.

13. Yawn.

14. Loosen your toes. Stretch them up and down several times.

15. Consider using reverse psychology. Tell yourself, “I have to get up right now.” Often the thought of this will make you tired.

16. If you really cannot sleep, get up for a second, and allow your body to regroup. Then, try going back to bed.