My eyes burn as I stare up at the dark ceiling. I turn onto my side and punch my pillow three times for good measure. Tears of frustration burn as they bloom, sleep continues to elude me. All that I want to do is scream but I am able to refrain, my sleepless mind thinking of those around me who were able to get lost in Morpheus' realm. I stick a foot out from under the covers in hopes of cooling off before fear causes me to retract it.
Stubbornly I shut my eyes and begin to imagine a land where I am free. The clang of swords as a battle occurs reverberates through my ears and the flash of red and green dance across my eyelids. I smell the salty sea air and feel the brush of the wind across my cheek as I finally succumb to sleep.
The need for sleep is something that everyone feels. For some, it is as easy as letting their head hit the pillow but for others, like me, it is a long and never-ending process. This article is all about different ways to help you fall asleep.
1. Routine
If you establish a bedtime routine and keep to it your body will get used to what time it needs to fall asleep, allowing for you to fall asleep easier.
2. Hide Your Alarm Clock
Have you ever had a time that you had to get up the next morning and you calculate the amount of sleep you would get if you fall asleep right now? And then you get stressed and are unable to fall asleep and the longer it takes to fall asleep the more stressed you get? A good solution to that is to hide your clock so that you are unable to watch as time ticks away, alleviating stress.
3. Turn Off Your Phone
The light that comes from your phone actually is known to keep your brain active and alert, so if you are on your phone right before you go to bed you will find it more difficult to fall asleep. A tip is to get off your phone an hour before you plan to fall asleep so that you give your brain time to shut down.
4. Stretch
If your body is tight and wound up you will find it more difficult to relax and fall asleep. Something as simple as stretching will help your body unwind allowing for an easier time falling asleep.
5. Tea
It is a known fact that coffee has caffeine, but some teas are known to help aid one in falling asleep. A nice warm cup of tea could be just what you need to be able to enter dreamland.
6. Shower/Bath
Baths are preferable but showers work too. The warm water and steam will relax your body and allow you to feel tired, making it easier to fall asleep.
7. Read
Read an actual book. They help you to unwind, let your mind wander and give you something to focus on when falling asleep helping to enable dreams.
8. Lavender
The smell of lavender is known to aid in finding sleep. If you just dab some lavender essential oils onto your pillow you should be out like a light.
9. Breathe
Something as easy as doing breathing exercises helps relax the body and mind allowing for you to slip off to sleep.
10. Change Into Your Comfiest Pajamas
If you are dressed for sleep you will sleep, or at least it will help. If your body is used to wearing a certain thing to fall asleep give it what it wants, it may just help trick your brain into making you sleepy.
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