Many people don't appreciate what a wonderful thing sleep is until they can't get it. Insomniacs know all too well how important sleep is. Lack of sleep can cause many issues with your health and your mind. So read up on the tips below and find a new way to get some dreamy sleep.
Make sure your bedroom is actually comfortable if you are having problems falling asleep. Your bedroom needs to have appropriately low levels of noise and light. Bright displays on alarm clocks should be avoided. Invest in a mattress that gives you enough support.
Have a regular bedtime ritual if you deal with frequent insomnia. Experts agree that rituals help give your body and mind cues that sleep is to come. Upon completing each part of the ritual, you'll notice an onset of drowsiness.
Ask your partner to give you a massage just prior to bed time. Even something as simple as rubbing your shoulders for a few minutes can help. Make sure they apply gentle, firm pressure to your body to help get rid of the tension in your muscles. This should make it much easier for you to sleep.
Smoking will make it harder to sleep. It speeds up your heart rate and makes you feel "jumpy." It's smart to quit smoking for many different reasons. Getting to sleep and having a better sleep quality are just extra benefits.
Get enough exercise. Exercise can help you cut stress by releasing endorphins into your system. That can help you sleep more deeply at night. However, avoid exercise within 3 or 4 hours before bed, because endorphins can keep you awake if you exercise too close to your bedtime. Give it time.
Even if you are very tired, resist the urge to sleep in on the weekends. If you let yourself rest for an extra hour or two, you could mess up your sleeping schedule for the week. Once you wake up, get out of bed. Do not allow yourself to fall back asleep or to stay in bed for a while.
Before heading off to bed at night, don't engage in stimulating activities. Anything like video games, watching television and arguing all stimulate your brain. When your mind is stimulated, you will have a more difficult time falling asleep. Try relaxing things before bed, instead.
If you suffer from insomnia frequently, try using aromatherapy to soothe you to sleep. Scented oils, such as lavender, are particularly relaxing, and are known to help with sleep. Try dabbing some on your pillow, or wearing some lavender body spray to bed. You can even make lavender sachets to keep on your night table.
Make your room conducive to sleep each evening. Essential oils that are burned with the right diffuser can release calming scents into the air. Others use air purifiers as a secret to good breathing that induces sleep.
If you are getting up many times during the night to use the bathroom, your problem likely lies with your evening beverages. To stop this vicious cycle, quit drinking two hours before you go to bed. If you find that your thirst is voracious, talk to your doctor as you may have a medical issue at play.
Avoid eating or drinking things that have caffeine in them when it is close to bedtime. To be on the safe side, you should do them no less than six hours before. Caffeine is a stimulant and it will keep you up for far longer than you would like, so drink decaffeinated versions of your favorites as bedtime approaches.
If you suffer from insomnia during the night, don't take naps during the day. Naps are tempting but they'll also keep you up later. The longer you are asleep during the day, the harder it will be to sleep at night.
Caffeine may give you an instant pick me up in the morning, but keep in mind that high can last as long as 12 hours! That means you shouldn't have any caffeine after noon, and limit how much you get in the morning as well. Drink no more than two sodas, teas or coffees.
Get some sun on your face. Sun in small doses is actually good for the body. Aim to get at least 15 minutes of sun on your face and you may find this helps you sleep better at night. The sun helps your body know it is daytime and this helps get your body into a sleep pattern.
If you feel yourself worrying about sleep for more than 15 minutes while lying in bed, get up and do something else for short while. Distract your mind until you feel tired again, then go back to bed, using breathing exercises rather than obsessing about sleep. Try to turn your brain off.
Have sex many hours ahead of bedtime if it leaves you energetic. If it makes you feel relaxed and sleepy, it might be just what you need.
Many people find that a nice walk before bedtime helps them get to sleep. Not only does it provide exercise, but it also helps you wind down and clear your head. Walks are very relaxing, and of course this should be a short walk. Focus on letting your thoughts go during this walk and winding down for the day.
Try aromatherapy to help relax your mind and sooth your nerves. You can use a calming lavender bubble bath to relax in the tub. You might find that using a lavender scented laundry softener on your sheets works well too. Vanilla is also relaxing so consider using vanilla if you don't like lavender.
PMS can cause insomnia. Speak with your doctor to help you control this issue. Sometimes a simple prescription of such medications like depo-provera can be helpful.
As you already know, a lack of sleep can be very serious. Don't wait until your insomnia starts to affect your physical and mental well-being. Use the sleep tips from above to help you in your pursuit of sleep. Within a few night, your body will begin to relax and you can get a refreshing night of sleep.
Make sure your bedroom is actually comfortable if you are having problems falling asleep. Your bedroom needs to have appropriately low levels of noise and light. Bright displays on alarm clocks should be avoided. Invest in a mattress that gives you enough support.
Have a regular bedtime ritual if you deal with frequent insomnia. Experts agree that rituals help give your body and mind cues that sleep is to come. Upon completing each part of the ritual, you'll notice an onset of drowsiness.
Ask your partner to give you a massage just prior to bed time. Even something as simple as rubbing your shoulders for a few minutes can help. Make sure they apply gentle, firm pressure to your body to help get rid of the tension in your muscles. This should make it much easier for you to sleep.
Smoking will make it harder to sleep. It speeds up your heart rate and makes you feel "jumpy." It's smart to quit smoking for many different reasons. Getting to sleep and having a better sleep quality are just extra benefits.
Get enough exercise. Exercise can help you cut stress by releasing endorphins into your system. That can help you sleep more deeply at night. However, avoid exercise within 3 or 4 hours before bed, because endorphins can keep you awake if you exercise too close to your bedtime. Give it time.
Even if you are very tired, resist the urge to sleep in on the weekends. If you let yourself rest for an extra hour or two, you could mess up your sleeping schedule for the week. Once you wake up, get out of bed. Do not allow yourself to fall back asleep or to stay in bed for a while.
Before heading off to bed at night, don't engage in stimulating activities. Anything like video games, watching television and arguing all stimulate your brain. When your mind is stimulated, you will have a more difficult time falling asleep. Try relaxing things before bed, instead.
If you suffer from insomnia frequently, try using aromatherapy to soothe you to sleep. Scented oils, such as lavender, are particularly relaxing, and are known to help with sleep. Try dabbing some on your pillow, or wearing some lavender body spray to bed. You can even make lavender sachets to keep on your night table.
Make your room conducive to sleep each evening. Essential oils that are burned with the right diffuser can release calming scents into the air. Others use air purifiers as a secret to good breathing that induces sleep.
If you are getting up many times during the night to use the bathroom, your problem likely lies with your evening beverages. To stop this vicious cycle, quit drinking two hours before you go to bed. If you find that your thirst is voracious, talk to your doctor as you may have a medical issue at play.
Avoid eating or drinking things that have caffeine in them when it is close to bedtime. To be on the safe side, you should do them no less than six hours before. Caffeine is a stimulant and it will keep you up for far longer than you would like, so drink decaffeinated versions of your favorites as bedtime approaches.
If you suffer from insomnia during the night, don't take naps during the day. Naps are tempting but they'll also keep you up later. The longer you are asleep during the day, the harder it will be to sleep at night.
Caffeine may give you an instant pick me up in the morning, but keep in mind that high can last as long as 12 hours! That means you shouldn't have any caffeine after noon, and limit how much you get in the morning as well. Drink no more than two sodas, teas or coffees.
Get some sun on your face. Sun in small doses is actually good for the body. Aim to get at least 15 minutes of sun on your face and you may find this helps you sleep better at night. The sun helps your body know it is daytime and this helps get your body into a sleep pattern.
If you feel yourself worrying about sleep for more than 15 minutes while lying in bed, get up and do something else for short while. Distract your mind until you feel tired again, then go back to bed, using breathing exercises rather than obsessing about sleep. Try to turn your brain off.
Have sex many hours ahead of bedtime if it leaves you energetic. If it makes you feel relaxed and sleepy, it might be just what you need.
Many people find that a nice walk before bedtime helps them get to sleep. Not only does it provide exercise, but it also helps you wind down and clear your head. Walks are very relaxing, and of course this should be a short walk. Focus on letting your thoughts go during this walk and winding down for the day.
Try aromatherapy to help relax your mind and sooth your nerves. You can use a calming lavender bubble bath to relax in the tub. You might find that using a lavender scented laundry softener on your sheets works well too. Vanilla is also relaxing so consider using vanilla if you don't like lavender.
PMS can cause insomnia. Speak with your doctor to help you control this issue. Sometimes a simple prescription of such medications like depo-provera can be helpful.
As you already know, a lack of sleep can be very serious. Don't wait until your insomnia starts to affect your physical and mental well-being. Use the sleep tips from above to help you in your pursuit of sleep. Within a few night, your body will begin to relax and you can get a refreshing night of sleep.