I don’t know about you but lately I have been tossing and turning while trying (and failing!) to fall asleep. The temperature had finally dropped some so I thought it would be good for sleeping, but no, still can’t catch any quality shut eye. Have you ever dealt with these bouts of insomnia? They seem to come and go for me. When I was a teenager I had terrible insomnia but then had no issues through college. Now, as an adult it’s back. Here are some old tips I’m going to have to start using to ensure I sleep through the night.
Get on a schedule: Even though I may be tired during the afternoon or early evening, I’m going to nix my naps and try to go to bed at the same time every night. There may be a few days that it’s not possible but I’m going to try. I’m also going to wake up at the same time everyday - even on the weekends. Not only will this help with my sleeping patterns but it will also provide a great time for me to sneak in some exercise!
Look at my diet: I don’t drink lots of coffee or alcohol but I’m going to cut them out completely for a while – these both can interfere with sleep. In addition, since I already consume adequate calories during the day I’m eliminating my nighttime snack. My body doesn’t need it and it may be affecting the quality of my sleep.
Put a worry journal next to my bed: This was something that helped me when I was a teenager. I was so anxious about every little thing and that anxiety prevented me from falling asleep. To help, I placed a small notebook on my nightstand and jotted down any detail I thought I’d forget in the morning. Just knowing that I had everything written down helped tremendously - it sounds silly but you should try it if you’re having trouble.
Keep Conan and Letterman out of the bedroom: Watching television before bed can stimulate your brain which isn’t something you want when you’re trying to unwind.
Listen to something relaxing: Some people prefer light, classical music, some like guided meditation, and I like nature sounds. If you can afford it, purchase a sound machine - mine has been very helpful.
Keep my room dark: If my room isn’t completely black I have a hard time sleeping. When the blinds won’t keep out the light I use a sleeping mask. You may feel ridiculous wearing one at first but they really can help darken any room.
Those are just a few of my tips to hopefully help lull you into a deep slumber. What do you recommend? Happy snoozing!