How To Fall Asleep Sooner
If you find that when you go to bed, you just lie awake, you are not alone with this problem. Here is some help on how to fall asleep sooner.
For some, this problem occurs sometimes, but not all the time. Try to identify what is going around in your mind when this happens. There are many things that this could be – problems at work or with the kids, an important meeting or even an exciting event.
When you have something going around and around in your mind, it will always be difficult getting to sleep. You need to clear your mind; keep a notebook and pen beside the bed, and write down what is on your mind before you turn out the light. Just this simple act of making notes, gets it out of your mind and helps you fall asleep. A wonderful bonus of using this strategy is that you often wake up with the solution in your mind!
However, many people have difficulty falling asleep most nights. To stop this vicious cycle of going to bed, worrying about not getting to sleep and lying awake, you need to change your evening routine. Make a list of the things you do in the evening; repeat this every day for a week and look for things that are common to every evening. Consider whether these may be affecting your sleep patterns.
There are some activities that may prevent you falling asleep, such as action packed TV or movies, energetic workouts, reading thriller novels, caffeine and alcohol. Instead of these stimulating activities try reading something gentle, listening to music, practising meditation, quiet card games or having a warm milk drink.
Make up a bedtime routine for yourself that calmly prepares you for sleep, repeating to yourself that you are going to fall into a deep, refreshing sleep. Make it a habit, with the same time each evening. Remove all thoughts of not being able to get to sleep. Simple breathing exercises help to relax you when you get into bed, then let your mind wander into a deep sleep.