How To Get Some Decent Sleep, Even If You Live In A Dorm | The Odyssey Online
Start writing a post
Health and Wellness

How To Get Some Decent Sleep, Even If You Live In A Dorm

This is how I manage to get great sleep, even when living that dorm life.

32
How To Get Some Decent Sleep, Even If You Live In A Dorm

To all my back to school college students, welcome home! I'm sure you're excited to be back to your favorite campus for all the fun the fall brings. As for everyone else, this article is for you too! Everyone needs a good night of rest to be on point during the day. Here's my go-to routine to get a good night's sleep in a dorm (or anywhere).

Start out with set boundaries if you're sharing your sleeping space. As long as your roomie can be quiet at an agreed time and so can you, everything should start out alright. Be sure all your sleeping agreements are mutual, including lights, music/headphone usage, tv, guests, etc, communication is always key. The next step is to keep your bed as it should be, your bed. Try your best not to eat meals or do homework under the covers -even keeping to sitting on the end of your bed will help your body understand that being under the covers is time to sleep.

Once it's about time to settle in, be sure to either lose the electronics or at least turn on the blue light filter in the settings. (Bonus tip: if you use a phone or computer throughout the day, try getting blue light filtering glasses. They'll help with tech headaches and sleeplessness!) Next, either take a warm shower or wash your face. Whatever level of skincare routine you do is fine, but having one will help your mind and body transition to sleep mode. At this point, I will change into comfortable clothes and lay out what I want to wear the next day.

Another major tip I have is to use a scented candle or essential oils in a diffuser. (PLEASE check the rules for where you live.. AKA, don't use candles in your dorm and be safe with fire always.) Having a calming scent -vanilla and lavender are my favorites- will help you get to that relaxed place we want to be in. After time, this scent will be a mini trigger to your trained body that its time to unwind. After setting up my aromatherapy, if I have time, I usually will journal or at least plan out my day for the morning while drinking some tea or water. This helps me relax my mind so that I don't feel like I'm forgetting something. Since my sleep cycle is a little off, I'll usually take some melatonin sleep gummies about half an hour before I actually lay down to sleep. I wouldn't recommend any type of sleep aid until you truly need help resetting your sleep cycle. However, taking a half dosage of melatonin, like I occasionally do, isn't going to ruin your natural ability to get to sleep. (And of course, always ask your doctor first, as I have zero business advising people medically)

After this, I will brush my teeth and take care of any other things I've left for the end of the day; I'll put away clean laundry or pick up dirty clothes. Having a clean space is crucial to help your entire mind relax. Once I'm done making my room a little bit more organized, I've started to do some breathing exercises stolen straight from my University choir. After turning off any harsh lights (I leave my Christmas lights on -mood lighting) I'll do some breathing: in for a five-count, holding for six, and exhaling controlled for seven, really helps me physically and mentally relax. With your eyes closed, I recommend doing three sets, then increasing the counts by one each round and doing three to five sets total depending on what works best for you. This exercise helps your heart rate come down and helps relax the body and mind.

Finally, I'll put on some lotion, hit the lights, and get to sleep. To send you off with blessings of restful sleep, here are a few quick do not's:

1. Hype music past 10 pm.

2. Homework/studying in bed.

3. Snacks before sleep.

4. Tv. In. Bed. (Also YouTube, Instagram, etc.)

5. Keep your weekly sleep schedule as consistent as possible.

Sweet dreams!

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

15 Mind-Bending Riddles

Hopefully they will make you laugh.

190794
 Ilistrated image of the planet and images of questions
StableDiffusion

I've been super busy lately with school work, studying, etc. Besides the fact that I do nothing but AP chemistry and AP economics, I constantly think of stupid questions that are almost impossible to answer. So, maybe you could answer them for me, and if not then we can both wonder what the answers to these 15 questions could be.

Keep Reading...Show less
Entertainment

Most Epic Aurora Borealis Photos: October 2024

As if May wasn't enough, a truly spectacular Northern Lights show lit up the sky on Oct. 10, 2024

15213
stunning aurora borealis display over a forest of trees and lake
StableDiffusion

From sea to shining sea, the United States was uniquely positioned for an incredible Aurora Borealis display on Thursday, Oct. 10, 2024, going into Friday, Oct. 11.

It was the second time this year after an historic geomagnetic storm in May 2024. Those Northern Lights were visible in Europe and North America, just like this latest rendition.

Keep Reading...Show less
 silhouette of a woman on the beach at sunrise
StableDiffusion

Content warning: This article contains descriptions of suicide/suicidal thoughts.

When you are feeling down, please know that there are many reasons to keep living.

Keep Reading...Show less
Relationships

Power of Love Letters

I don't think I say it enough...

458097
Illistrated image of a letter with 2 red hearts
StableDiffusion

To My Loving Boyfriend,

  • Thank you for all that you do for me
  • Thank you for working through disagreements with me
  • Thank you for always supporting me
  • I appreciate you more than words can express
  • You have helped me grow and become a better person
  • I can't wait to see where life takes us next
  • I promise to cherish every moment with you
  • Thank you for being my best friend and confidante
  • I love you and everything you do

To start off, here's something I don't say nearly enough: thank you. Thank you, thank you, thank you from the bottom of my heart. You do so much for me that I can't even put into words how much I appreciate everything you do - and have done - for me over the course of our relationship so far. While every couple has their fair share of tiffs and disagreements, thank you for getting through all of them with me and making us a better couple at the other end. With any argument, we don't just throw in the towel and say we're done, but we work towards a solution that puts us in a greater place each day. Thank you for always working with me and never giving up on us.

Keep Reading...Show less
Lifestyle

11 Signs You Grew Up In Hauppauge, NY

Because no one ever really leaves.

26749
Map of Hauppauge, New York
Google

Ah, yes, good old Hauppauge. We are that town in the dead center of Long Island that barely anyone knows how to pronounce unless they're from the town itself or live in a nearby area. Hauppauge is home to people of all kinds. We always have new families joining the community but honestly, the majority of the town is filled with people who never leave (high school alumni) and elders who have raised their kids here. Around the town, there are some just some landmarks and places that only the people of Hauppauge will ever understand the importance or even the annoyance of.

Keep Reading...Show less

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Facebook Comments