Now I Lay Me Down to Sleep

There’s nothing more annoying than tossing and turning all night long and then waking up to feel like you just fell asleep. Sleep is very important for your physical health. Your immune system is suppressed when you’re lacking sleep and your body is left open and vulnerable to viral infections and diseases.Your mental health is also at stake. You feel more stressful when you lack the proper amount of sleep and you become emotionally and mentally drained. Here are some suggestions to help combat the frustration of insomnia.

First off, wait before you consider going to a doctor for treatment. A doctor can and may prescribe a sleeping pill, but those pills can be habit forming, so you may unintentionally trade one problem for another. You may also become so dependent on them that the insomnia returns as soon as you stop the sleeping pill. You can make some positive changes in your life that will help you deal with this problem. Consider the possibility that you may misjudge how long it actually takes you to fall asleep and how long you’ve slept. Remember that we normally can’t recall exactly when we fall asleep, we usually only remember waking up. In other words, your problem might not be as serious as it seems, however, let’s think about some possible solutions.

Many of us have a lot of obligations and responsibilities and feel pressed to be able to meet them each day. By the end of the night, when our minds and bodies should be ready to rest, we are most likely still in “overdrive.” That is why and when sleep doesn’t come easily. The body is in a continuous state of sleep debt. Organizing routine schedules for yourself is very important, especially getting ready for bed at the same time every night. Make bedtime fairly early to allow you to give your body and mind time to unwind. If you don’t feel tired yet, spend some quiet time doing something relaxing that you enjoy. Take a nice warm bath with some scented candles or bubble/foaming bath and then get into your pajamas.

Make time for a favorite hobby. It’s a great way to be calm and peaceful. Try simple things that require little to no physical activity, such as, reading, working on a crossword/jigsaw puzzle, or watching a favorite “low key”, no action packed movie. Do not snack on or eat anything “rich”, instead have a glass of milk, maybe even warm it. Also, make sure that all lights are dimmed or turned off, and eliminate background noise if possible.

In addition, a bit of exercise in your daily routine along with bedtime management will help. Remember that an adequate amount of sleep keeps you “on your toes” and makes you less prone to accidents and mistakes. Create some down time for yourself and try these suggestions to curb or get rid of your sleeping problems. Good luck getting a good nights sleep.