Stop eating and drinking before bed. | The Odyssey Online
Start writing a post
Student Life

Help! I Can’t Sleep!

Having trouble sleeping? Here are some tips to help you get your necessary beauty sleep.

43
Help! I Can’t Sleep!

In This Article:

We have all had trouble sleeping before. Whether it be stress, illness, loud neighbors, or just an inability to shut down our brains, a lack of sleep really is no laughing matter. In fact, studies show that eventually, it could kill you. This is due to a variety of reasons. A lack of proper rest decreases our reaction time, which increases the rates of car accidents. Sleep deprivation also takes a toll on the immune system and your mental and emotional health. We all need sleep (ideally 8 hours a night for adults), but many of us aren't getting it. Here are some helpful tips to resolve this issue:

Have a set bedtime.

live.staticflickr.com

It's no secret that human beings like and are productive within comfortable routines, and making it a habit to go to bed at the same time every night helps your body regulate itself, according to the National Sleep Foundation. If you go to bed at 10 p.m. and wake up at 6 a.m. for enough days in a row, eventually you won't need an alarm clock. Your body will recognize the routine and manage your melatonin levels for you.

Stop eating and drinking before bed.

live.staticflickr.com

Your body doesn't like to be digesting while you're trying to sleep. Having too much food in your stomach while lying down can actually make you nauseous as well. As for the drinking, having your sleep interrupted by a 2am bathroom break is never helpful. There are numerous risks to eating before bed, and it is recommended that you stop snacking at least a couple of hours before.

Put your phone down.

live.staticflickr.com

The blue light emitted from your phone, tablet, computer etc. increases activity and suppresses Melatonin production. Having that constant activity makes it difficult for the brain to slow down and rest, and throws off your circadian rhythm. If you set aside your screens for a half hour before bed, this gives your mind a chance to relax and slow down, helping you be ready to shut your eyes the minute your head reaches your pillow.

Stay away from your bed during the day.

cdn.pixabay.com

If you designate your bed as the place where you sleep, the association with it and rest will stick with you. Don't sit on your bed working hard on your next paper. Designate it as a sacred place to rest. Just as the office and your desk are where you work, and are more productive at, so your bed will be your designated sleep location. It's also just bad for you to stay in bed all day.

Melatonin - a miracle worker.

upload.wikimedia.org

So let's say your sleep schedule has been off for some time, and you just can't seem to fall asleep at a decent hour. In combination of continued effort and consistently getting up at the same time every morning, taking some medicine will do the trick to get your drowsy. While there are designated sleeping pills out there, many of them are unpleasantly strong and can you leave you feeling like a zombie. Melatonin is the chemical your body produces for sleep, so it's a natural alternative.

Now, with your newfound knowledge, go catch up on your sleep! You deserve a good night's rest. In fact, doing so may just save your life.

Report this Content
This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.
friends
Kristin Buggy

College is supposed to be one of the best times of your life. However, it is also one of the toughest transitions to make. There is so much anticipation and excitement leading up to moving into college. It doesn’t truly hit you until move in day when your parents say their final goodbyes and you see their car drive away. You truly are on your own. I was blessed to meet my best friends within the first week of school. Your college friends are so important and here’s why:

Keep Reading...Show less
13 Real Thoughts Every College Student Has At Some Point
Good Call

There are a few thoughts that go through a college student's mind on a day to day basis. Some of those thoughts come from class, some of then come from when you are bored in class. Here are sixteen thoughts that college students think of on a day to day basis.

Keep Reading...Show less
Entertainment

Mouse, Cookie, Chaos!

He's going to ask for a glass of milk

83679
mouse with a cookie

One of my biggest pet peeves is when someone does not try to help their self before asking others. How can someone else be expected to help you if you do not first do that yourself? I'm all about helping those that need it when the time comes, however whenever someone does not even attempt to help him or herself first then that becomes a huge problem. As we all have learned, people tend to take advantage of us in one way or another. I am sure we all read this short story when we were younger and it follows that same principle:

Keep Reading...Show less
39 Traits You Know You Have If You're A Libra
Flickr

If you were born between September 23rd - October 22nd, then you are a Libra. Let's be real, Libras are the best because you are the perfect balance of all things in life. Some may find this boring, but they don't know anything about what it means to be all things at once. As Libras, we hold much on our shoulders that no one can understand. These are traits you know to be true if you are a Libra:

Keep Reading...Show less
Entertainment

12 Types Of Drunk Girls You'll See In Every Friend Group

"Getting drunk with your best friends is an experience in and of itself. It takes us on wild and ridiculous adventures with the people we trust with our lives."

2135
friends
Cloud Front

Getting drunk with your best friends is an experience in and of itself. It takes us on wild and ridiculous adventures with the people we trust with our lives. Each one of you plays a vital role in making sure the night goes (relatively) smoothly.

Keep Reading...Show less

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Facebook Comments