If you're reading this, you've probably experienced many nights wanting to fall asleep, but you just can't. You lay there thinking about how early you have to get up and keep trying to fall asleep, but you're just tossing and turning, and then you get more stressed out about how late it's gotten and how much sleep you've lost out on. By the time you do finally fall asleep comfortably, it's like four hours before your alarm is set to go off.
I know the feeling...and it always seems to happen at incredibly inconvenient times. So here are 5 ways to combat sleep troubles over this holiday break to catch up on all the sleep you missed out on during the semester:
1. Warm Tea & A Book
While you might not want to really do any kind of activity, this really helps. Drink some soothing tea like chamomile and read a few pages of a book; you'll be finding your eyes start to droop pretty quickly!
2. Aromatherapy
I'm a big fan of this one! If you have essential oils, rub a bit of lavender on your writs and breathe it in. If not, the Mrs. Meyer's Lavender non-aerosol room freshener spray is my favorite! I spray it twice in the corners of my room and it really does relax you.
3. Don't go to your electronic devices
Even if you're tired and you just want to scroll through some e-mails or social media when you first get in bed, don't do it. It will ruin your relaxed mood, you'll find yourself on it longer than you planned and once you put it away you will feel awake again.
4. Yoga
Stretch! Remember, sleep isn't an "on" and "off switch." You're not going to immediately pass out when your head hits the pillow, at least most of the time. So it won't hurt to give yourself an extra 30 minutes before you want to be sleeping to get ready for bed.
5. Stay Warm
Okay but not too warm. Make sure the heat isn't on too high and that you're bundled up in long, warm winter pajamas. One or the other. Just make sure your house temperature is cool enough to where you will be comfortable bundling up in bed with blankets because it's proven to help with sleep troubles.
