Nearly every animal must sleep. Humans should get around seven or eight hours deep sleep nightly. If you are having trouble getting even 3 or 4 hours of sleep, you probably have insomnia, or inability to sleep. If you face this issue, it’s no small matter. These tips can help you sleep again.
Your bedroom should be cool at bedtime. It’s easy to get uncomfortable in a bedroom that is too stuffy or hot. This make it harder for you to fall asleep. The best room temperature for a restful sleep is 65 degrees. Blankets should be layered for easy removal when necessary.
Don’t do other things in your bed, other than sleep. This means no television watching, reading, or doing any sort of puzzles before bed. All of these things can stimulate your brain, and that can trigger insomnia. When sleeping is the sole function of the bed, you’ll be more likely to get the rest you need.
If you find yourself having trouble with insomnia every night, stop drinking anything with caffeine in it by noon. This may sound extreme or like self-deprivation, but the effects of caffeine can actually be felt many hours after consumption. Enjoy your coffee or tea by lunch, and forgo them in the afternoon or early evening.
If you are being awakened by noises, you may not even know it is happening. They may be so quick that you wake up and hear nothing, so you don’t know why you’re waking up at all. Consider putting a recorder in your room to see if this may be the problem.
Avoid sleeping on your side. To get a good night’s sleep, rest on your back instead. If you simply can’t fall asleep that way, try going to bed on your right side. The left side should be avoided as it causes your liver and lungs to push up on your heart.
If you are unable to sleep due to noise, a common problem in people who work nights and attempt to sleep during the day, consider wearing earplugs to bed. Sometimes you just can’t get away from the noises of daily life, but earplugs can help you to ignore them as you rest.
Remember that caffeine isn’t only found in coffee! Tea, pop and even chocolate all contain caffeine, as do energy drinks. You want to limit all the caffeine in your diet after 12pm so that you are able to fall asleep at night without the stimulating effects of this ingredient.
If you are waking up because your legs are uncomfortable, talk to your doctor about restless leg syndrome. There are a myriad of causes for this disorder, but sadly, there is no cure. There are some strategies which can help, such as exercise, calcium/magnesium supplements and even smoking marijuana, and your doctor can advise you on what to try.
Many sleep specialists recommend taking 100mg of a supplement containing 5-HTP. The low dose can help depressive individuals sleep better. Always speak to your primary care physician, however, before taking anything.
Create a nightly routine and stick to it. It can be as simple as taking a warm bath, putting on comfortable sleep wear and reading a relaxing book. By developing a routine, you are conditioning your body to prepare for sleep. This can help you get into a comfortable rhythm of sleeping at the same time each night.
If you have trouble falling asleep at night, try keeping yourself on a regular sleep schedule. A regular sleep schedule is crucial if you are having trouble falling asleep. When you go to bed at about the same time on a daily basis, your body will be programed to sleep better and fall asleep quicker.
Turn your bedroom into the perfect sleep environment. Block out all light, including the little LEDs which seem to be on everything. A small square of black electrical tape can do the trick. Next, block out noise or cover it up with a running fan or white noise machine.
Exercise can help you sleep better at night but only if you exercise during the day or early evening. If you exercise right before bed, then you will only get your adrenaline going and you find it hard to sleep. So try exercising during the day to get a better sleep at night.
Many people find that a nice walk before bedtime helps them get to sleep. Not only does it provide exercise, but it also helps you wind down and clear your head. Walks are very relaxing, and of course this should be a short walk. Focus on letting your thoughts go during this walk and winding down for the day.
Don’t be discouraged if you do not find relief from one of these suggestions. This is the reason for trying more than one. Remember that you can beat insomnia if you try. Once you have the right tools, you will be on your way.