Is there anything worse than sleepless nights? Who can forget the utter feelings of despair and hopelessness of lying in your bed, checking the clock what feels like every hour only to find that in fact only three minutes have passed, wishing that you will somehow, magically fall asleep. If you can relate to the above, here are six tips and tricks to (hopefully) help you on your quest for a night full of sleep!
1. Try to sleep at the same time each night.
By which I mean, try to go to bed and wake up at the same time every day. Your body really likes following a routine and sleeping at erratic times severely messes with your biological clock. What this also means is that sleeping in on weekends is not recommended. Making a habit of procrastinating with homework and then working deep into the night the day before your assignment is due is probably even worse.
2. Listen to music.
This is something I do all the time. It’s a great way to help relax, de-stress and calm yourself down after a busy day. Furthermore, it’s supported by research. Obviously, listening to soft, calming music is ideal for this, as opposed to, say, listening to screamo. I find that listening to classical music or soft piano ballads helps the most for me. If you decide to use your iPod for this, make sure to watch out for your earphones, as the cords could pose a safety hazard.
3. Consider the position in which you sleep.
Surprisingly, this makes a huge difference as to the quality of sleep that you experience. This website might give some helpful advice as to which position is ideal for you. I also find that it’s useful to level your body while sleeping. This means choosing a pillow that can support your neck while not lifting it too high or tilting it too low.
4. Avoid electronics before bed.
I try to turn off my computer at least half an hour before going to bed. Looks like the bright light from electronic devices could keep your brain in a simulated state instead of the sleepy state that you want it in. After all, light=sunshine=daytime, possibly making your brain less likely to want to fall asleep. That means that taking your shiny iPad or PSP to bed is probably not the greatest idea.
5. Watch what you eat.
This includes fairly obvious, self-explanatory advice like avoiding coffee or Red Bull right before bed. It’s also generally a bad idea to fall asleep on a full stomach. Lots of food in your stomach activates your digestion system, meanings that your body is being active and not really resting. Instead, eat large dinners earlier and save a light snack for just before bed. Personally, I find a warm glass of milk the perfect bedtime snack!
6. Relax!
The truth is, thinking super complicated thoughts at bedtime is not exactly likely to help you fall asleep. What’s even less likely to help is thinking super complicated thoughts about how stressful your lack of sleep is. Instead, lie down, clear your mind, and focus solely on breathing deeply. Once your body is in a sufficient of rest, you’ll be falling asleep in no time!