Imagine this: You’re running non-stop from class to class and barely have enough time for bathroom breaks. Next you have a sporting event you have to go to for extra credit and the relaxing part of your day is taking a shower, and let’s be honest, a shower itself is a job. Your hair is wet and when you finally lay down to catch some zzz's you find yourself wide awake. We’ve all had one of those days when all you want to do all day is sleep and as soon as the opportunity presents itself sleep is the last thing on your mind. So here are nine things that you can do if you can’t fall asleep that not only will relax you but will put you in the mood to get some of that much need REM sleep.
1. Read a book. T
his first one may seem obvious to people but it’s all about what book your reading to ensure that you will in fact fall asleep. Now the book shouldn’t be boring, like an assignment for school because you want your mind to simulated just enough to be focused on something other than sleep. Reading an assignment for school isn’t a desirable choice because your mind will be working on overdrive to remember every little thing that happens. Reading for school sometimes feels like work as well, so if you decide to read to book to help you sleep, choice a book that you’re interested in reading whether it a mushy romance novel or John Greens tear jerker “Looking For Alaska.” It’s important to do things for yourself every once in a while and what better time than when you’re about to go to sleep. Doing something you enjoy before you go to sleep also helps you go to sleep happy, which is good for your mental and physical help.
2. Drink a hot cup of tea.
Tea not only tastes amazing but the herbs and warmth help your body relax, which is exactly how you should feel before going to sleep. Make sure to not drink black tea because that will keep you awake instead of help you sleep. My favorite tea is raspberry zinger and contradictory to what the name says it doesn’t give me much of a “zing” and instead puts me in a much needed tranquil state. The warmth of the tea not only feels great on your hands but helps warm your insides to a comfortable and soothing level. Strangely enough feeling the warm tea I my stomach is very relaxing. If you don’t care for tea try warm water with a lemon or a warm cup of milk. The cup of milk may sound childish but it not only helps you relax but also ensures you get your vitamin D for the day
3. Listen to soothing music.
Music is a glorious thing because it can pump you up for a big night out or can help you zen out. In this case I would suggest listening to the sound of rain or other nature sounds like waves or the rainforest. If the sound of moving liquids makes you have to pee, I’d suggest music with no lyrics, such as music with just musical instruments. It’s helpful to listen to music when you’re trying to sleep because the one constant sound becomes rhythmic and soothing, which helps you get ready to fall asleep. The slow rhythmic sounds of the waterfall and piano will help slow your breathing and heart rate, which will help prepare your body for sleep. Slow music results in slow everything else, which will relax your body and send it off to sleep center.
4. Knitting.
While I know knitting is only associated with old women it truly is relaxing. While I am only a beginner I can say from experience that it stimulates your mind enough to function, yet helps you get ready for sleep. A plus is that while you prepare for sleep by knitting you will also being guaranteeing yourself a warm scarf for the winter! Knitting, while frustrating at first, becomes second nature with practice and soon enough you’ll be doing it without thinking, which is a perfect mindset when your trying to sleep. Personally, the sound the needling needles make when they clank together is soothing to me and may just work for you too! If knitting isn’t your idea of relaxation try coloring or crocheting. Any small task with your hands helps keep your mind stimulated just enough to keep your mind on the task and not on the idea of sleep. The key is to find something that will distract you from sleep so then you will fall asleep. Weird I know
5. Yoga.
Stick with me on this one! You do not have to do a full session of yoga to get the desired effects of yoga. Childs pose and downward dog are two simple yoga posed that you can hold for long periods of help without strenuous effort. These two poses help the body release tension, thus urging the body to move towards sleep. Yoga also helps the body circulate more blood through the body at an elevated rate but not to a rate that would exhaust the body. Plain stretching is helpful too because it loosens the body up and helps it to relax. Gentle exercises like stretching and yoga help the body realize that it is tired and needs to recharge.
6. Make a to-do list for the following day.
People who have trouble sleeping are commonly kept up with thoughts of the things they have to do the following day, which is why it’s helpful to make a to-do list. A to-do list helps you organize your thoughts on a sheet of paper so that you can see visually what you have to get done the following day. More times than not the list will be shorter than the person thought. Seeing the list in your hand not only helps you keep track of what you need to get done but also makes you realize that I have a whole day to get these six things done. Lists are a great thing that will help you pack for a big vacation to what to use to study for the big biology test coming up. To-do lists help put things in perspective and help you realize that you are capable of doing the things on this piece of paper.
7. Journaling.
Writing may sometimes feel like work but you have to admit when it’s about yourself and for your eyes only it becomes easier to do. Journal will help you fall asleep because you can write about all the things you got done that day or that moment when you talked to your crush for a full five minutes. Journaling is beneficial because when you feel like you got nothing done that day when you retrace your steps you realize that you actually participated a lot I class that day and helped a friend through a break up. Journaling is also a gentle way to get your mind to think about something other than sleep, which like I said before helps you to do just that. Journaling also gives you something to look back on when you’re old and sleeping all day long - something that you’ve been dreaming about all these years.
8. Organize your closet.
Organizing anything from your shoes to your backpack is beneficial to helping you fall asleep because it helps you feel more in control of your life. Feeling like you’re in control of your life helps you fall asleep because you know that you are going to sleep knowing that your life is in order. Organizing your closet in particular gives you a chance to pick out your outfit for the next day. This not only gives you more time to sleep because you won’t be scrambling to find matching socks but also makes sure you aren’t rushing to get out the door. Knowing what you are going to wear in the morning is less stressful thing on your mind when you go to sleep.
9. Pamper yourself.
If you are having trouble sleeping it may be because your face still has gunk on it from the last fifteen or so hours. So instead of tossing and turning for an hour get up and wash your face and make sure to brush your teeth. Doing these two things not only keep you hygienic and prevents break outs, but also makes you feel clean. When you feel clean you feel happy and when you're happy you more than ready to go to sleep. Going to sleep happy helps you start the next day off right, which is something everyone needs!
It is important to get at least eight hours of sleep every night and with the help of some tea and coloring books you’ll be falling into Slumberland in no time.
