If you have a lot of stress, it can keep you up at night. If your bed isn’t comfortable, that can stop you from sleeping too. The fact is that figuring out what is keeping you awake can help you get to sleep. If you want some other tips to help you sleep, read on.
Take a bath right before bed. A nice warm bath can help your body get to the relaxation place it needs to sleep. Throw in some salts or bath oils to help create an even more relaxing experience. But be careful not to linger in there too long. It’s important to not stay in the bath to the point that your body is exhausted from the heat.
Try not to take naps. Napping can interrupt the normal sleep schedule, making it harder to fall asleep at bedtime. Try to associate sleep with darkness and relaxation. You will be more likely to fall asleep easily if you are tired from being awake all day, instead of feeling refreshed from an earlier nap.
Try eating a very light snack that’s high in carbohydrates right before bed. Don’t go crazy with the size of the snack here, or it can lead to weight problems. But eating a small amount of something high in carbs can help your body relax enough to sleep. Two great options are a glass of juice or a cookie or two.
Don’t nap during the day if you deal with insomnia, no matter how tired you get. If insomnia has kept you up the night before, it will only do so again if you catch a few winks in the day time. Just plow through until evening, and go to bed at your normal time.
Don’t get too much sleep. If you cannot get to sleep after 30 minutes of lying in bed, try some relaxation or a soothing warm non-alcoholic beverage. Avoid taking naps during the day. If you must take a nap, keep it short and make sure it ends at least six hours before your normal bedtime.
Use visualization as a weapon against your insomnia. Imagine yourself someplace quiet or even boring, and just stay there in your mind. This will take the focus off of the need to sleep, which in and of itself can keep you awake for hours. Just visualize calmness and let your mind completely relax.
If you are having trouble falling asleep on a consistent basis, you might need to change some of your habits during the day. Do not take naps during the daytime. These naps confuse your body and make it difficult to have a natural sleep rhythm. So cut out the daytime naps for some great night time sleep.
If you are having trouble sleeping, the first thing you should do is to visit your primary care physician. Occasionally, there is an underlying medical disorder that may be causing your symptoms. This could be as simple as stress or anxiety. However, it is best to be checked out and then go from there.
Do not force sleep. If you have been in bed for half an hour or more, and you still cannot drift off, get up and out of bed. Do not do anything too active, but grab a glass of milk or read a book. Try going to bed again in about fifteen minutes or so.
These ideas are all tried and true, proving themselves effective time and time again when insomnia attacks. To be able to use their power to heal yourself, you must start using them immediately. The sooner you start to work towards a good night’s sleep, the faster you will achieve it.