Things To Do When You Can't Sleep | The Odyssey Online
Start writing a post
Student Life

6 Things To Do When You Can't Fall Asleep At Night

Because a good night's sleep is overrated anyways.

45
https://unsplash.com/photos/FVRTLKgQ700
Kinga Cichewicz

Don't you just love the feeling of laying down in your own bed after a super long day, ready to sleep for a good 12 hours or so? Yeah, me too. Except when I'm exhausted, 90% of the time I just can't seem to fall asleep. Maybe it's because I'm still wound up from my shift, or maybe it's because my body hates me. I may never know. If you're like me and can't seem to pass out at a relatively decent hour, try these things to help you get a somewhat decent night of sleep.

1. Watch YouTube videos. 

media.giphy.com

YouTube is lowkey better than Netflix or Hulu. A lot of big YouTubers post videos once or twice a week, and chances are if you're new to their channel, you'll have a lot of content to catch up on. You could take the beauty guru route (I see you James Charles and Jeffree Star) or if you're looking for a quirkier experience, try Emma Chamberlain, Shane Dawson or Tana Mongeau.

2. Think about all the things you don't want to think about during the day. 

media.giphy.com

I swear, the worst thoughts and memories come crawling back to the surface when it's nighttime and all you want to do is sleep. Your asshole of an ex? That math midterm you failed two years ago? Why that cute guy from the gym never texted you back? That argument you had with your best friend at 1:32pm on October 23rd, 2014? Maybe instead of trying to push those thoughts away, embrace them. Perhaps it'll tire you out enough to where you can't help but pass out.

3. Make multiple playlists on Spotify that you'll probably never use. 

media.giphy.com

I'd like to say I'm so organized to the point where I have all my music perfectly curated into their own playlists, assorted by my mood or genre. But sadly, I'm lazy and have too short of an attention span to ever complete one. There's plenty of playlists that sit on my account, never to be finished or listened to again. But, in the moment, they're pretty entertaining to start.

4. The reliable Netflix or Hulu. 

media.giphy.com

Even if you've already watched every show on one of these streaming sites, you can still put on one of your favorites solely for background noise. I recommend "The Breakfast Club" (can't go wrong with a classic) or "Gossip Girl" (because I somehow find my way back to it at least once a year).

5. Find a new addictive game on your phone. 

Real-life footage of my Candy Crush addiction

I've never been too into playing games on my phone (minus the phase where I played the Kim Kardashian game obsessively). However, Candy Crush Soda Saga has had me hooked for the past three years. If matching virtual candy isn't your jam, Suduko or Solitaire is mildly entertaining every once in a while.

6. Raid your kitchen for a late night snack. 

media.giphy.com

Personally, food is always the answer to my problems—so why wouldn't it help solve my insomnia? If you're feeling bold, bust out a baking pan and make some fresh cookies! There's no better time than past midnight! Just make sure you don't wake up the people in your house that are actually capable of falling asleep at a reasonable hour.

Now I'm not saying these six things will work (in fact, they probably won't at all), but at least you'll have something to do while you wait for your body and mind to let you sleep and dream in peace.

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

The Great Christmas Movie Debate

"A Christmas Story" is the star on top of the tree.

69
The Great Christmas Movie Debate
Mental Floss

One staple of the Christmas season is sitting around the television watching a Christmas movie with family and friends. But of the seemingly hundreds of movies, which one is the star on the tree? Some share stories of Santa to children ("Santa Claus Is Coming to Town"), others want to spread the Christmas joy to adults ("It's a Wonderful Life"), and a select few are made to get laughs ("Elf"). All good movies, but merely ornaments on the Christmas tree of the best movies. What tops the tree is a movie that bridges the gap between these three movies, and makes it a great watch for anyone who chooses to watch it. Enter the timeless Christmas classic, "A Christmas Story." Created in 1983, this movie holds the tradition of capturing both young and old eyes for 24 straight hours on its Christmas Day marathon. It gets the most coverage out of all holiday movies, but the sheer amount of times it's on television does not make it the greatest. Why is it,
then? A Christmas Story does not try to tell the tale of a Christmas miracle or use Christmas magic to move the story. What it does do though is tell the real story of Christmas. It is relatable and brings out the unmatched excitement of children on Christmas in everyone who watches. Every one becomes a child again when they watch "A Christmas Story."

Keep Reading...Show less
Christmas tree
Librarian Lavender

It's the most wonderful time of the year! Christmas is one of my personal favorite holidays because of the Christmas traditions my family upholds generation after generation. After talking to a few of my friends at college, I realized that a lot of them don't really have "Christmas traditions" in their family, and I want to help change that. Here's a list of Christmas traditions that my family does, and anyone can incorporate into their family as well!

Keep Reading...Show less
Student Life

The 5 Phases Of Finals

May the odds be ever in your favor.

1640
Does anybody know how to study
Gurl.com

It’s here; that time of year when college students turn into preschoolers again. We cry for our mothers, eat everything in sight, and whine when we don’t get our way. It’s finals, the dreaded time of the semester when we all realize we should have been paying attention in class instead of literally doing anything else but that. Everyone has to take them, and yes, unfortunately, they are inevitable. But just because they are here and inevitable does not mean they’re peaches and cream and full of rainbows. Surviving them is a must, and the following five phases are a reality for all majors from business to art, nursing to history.

Keep Reading...Show less
Student Life

How To Prepare For The Library: Finals Edition

10 ways to prepare for finals week—beginning with getting to the library.

2990
How To Prepare For The Library: Finals Edition
Photo by Clay Banks on Unsplash

It’s that time of year again when college students live at the library all week, cramming for tests that they should have started studying for last month. Preparing to spend all day at the library takes much consideration and planning. Use these tips to help get you through the week while spending an excessive amount of time in a building that no one wants to be in.

Keep Reading...Show less
girl roommates
StableDiffusion

Where do we begin when we start talking about our roommates? You practically spend every moment with them, they become your second family and they deal with you at your best and at your absolute worst. They are there to make you laugh just a little harder, cry a little less and make each day a little better. We often forget to thank them for the little things that they do to make college even a tiny bit easier and more fun. This list of 26 things are what you should thank your roommates for right this minute and every day that you live with them.

Keep Reading...Show less

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Facebook Comments