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.

44
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.
Featured

15 Rhyme Without Reason Greek Life Function Ideas

When you have no ideas for what to wear to this date function

315271
A dog and a frog
Healthy Pets

I am going to a rhyme without reason date function and I have looked at so many different rhyming words and I figured there need to be a new list of words. At these functions, there are usually at least two rockers and boxers and an umpteenth amount of dogs and frogs. I have come up with a list of creative and unique ideas for these functions.

If you like what you see, get a shopping cart going with these costumes.

Keep Reading...Show less
Featured

Yoga love

A long over due thank you note to my greatest passion.

28409
A person in a yoga pose surrounded by a supportive community of fellow yogis with a look of peace and gratitude on their face the image should convey the sense of strength mindfulness and appreciation that the writer feels towards yoga
StableDiffusion

Dearest Yoga,

You deserve a great thank you.

Keep Reading...Show less
Arts Entertainment

Epic Creation Myths: Norse Origins Unveiled

What happened in the beginning, and how the heavens were set in motion.

9166
The Norse Creation Myth

Now, I have the everlasting joy of explaining the Norse creation myth. To be honest, it can be a bit kooky, so talking about it is always fun. The entire cosmos is included in this creation myth, not just the earth but the sun and the moon as well. This will be a short retelling, a summary of the creation myth, somewhat like I did with Hermod's ride to Hel.

Keep Reading...Show less
Old school ghetto blaster sat on the floor
8tracks radio

We all scroll through the radio stations in the car every once in a while, whether its because we lost signal to our favorite one or we are just bored with the same ol' songs every day. You know when you're going through and you hear a song where you're just like "I forgot this existed!" and before you know it, you're singing every word? Yeah, me too. Like, 95% of the time. If you're like me and LOVE some good throwback music, here's a list of songs from every genre that have gotten lost in time, but never truly forgotten.

Keep Reading...Show less
Featured

27 Hidden Joys

Appreciation for some of life's most discredited pleasures.

38334
Best Things in Life

Life is full of many wonderful pleasures that many of us, like myself, often forget about. And it's important to recognize that even on bad days, good things still happen. Focusing on these positive aspects of our day-to-day lives can really change a person's perspective. So in thinking about the little things that make so many of us happy, I've here's a list of some of the best things that often go unrecognized and deserve more appreciation:

Keep Reading...Show less

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Facebook Comments