Cant Fall Asleep

Can't fall asleep? Here are some solutions you can put to work today!

How many people do you know who, explaining their sluggishness, irritability or lack of productivity, say “My sleep hasn't been great. Many times, I just can't fall asleep!” If you're one of the millions of people who experience problems sleeping, you're certainly not alone. In this day and age of packed schedules, running you ragged from dawn 'til dusk – perhaps even way past nightfall – it's no wonder that most of us, at least occasionally, can't fall asleep. You may lie in bed, desparately seeking to get that old sandman to lull you to sleep, to no avail. Your mind is buzzing with random thoughts, worries about your work, finances, family problems, school or kids. The trouble is most often, trying to get your mind to stop when your body says, “I need sleep!”. Here we've got a few tips to help you get the sleep you want and need.

Doubtless, you've heard this before, but we'd be remiss if we didn't include this easy solution. Regular exercise on a daily basis, is one of the most effective ways to the 'I can't fall asleep' problem. If your job doesn't entail any manual labor, by the end of the day, your body has a lot of pent-up energy and tensions which contribute mightily to sleeplessness. While your mind has been running triple-speed all day long, your body's not on the same page! Even if you think your schedule has nary a moment to spare for an exercise regimen, this is simply not true. Think how many hours you spend lying in bed, caught in the I-can't-fall-asleep mode. Spending just 30 minutes a day doing something as simple as taking a walk can help you sleep restfully at night. An additional benefit is that this type of exercise is a boon to your cardiovascular system, not to mention helping keep fit and trim. Split your exercise into two fifteen minute sessions, morning and evening. You can fit this into the busiest schedule with ease. Do it!

This brings us to another excellent solution to the can't fall asleep syndrome: make relaxation time a gift to yourself. This solution is both practical and pleasurable. This can take many forms. Here are just a few. Take a nice relaxing bath. Bring a book or magazine with you and double your fun. The combination of reading in the bath helps relax your muscles while diverting your mind from the daily rat race. Kick back in a comfortable armchair, lean back and close your eyes as you listen to some soothing music. Snuggling up with your sweetie is another way to have fun and relax. Meditation and prayer are two other effective ways to relax both mind and body.

Now, for some things you'll want to avoid in the latter part of the day: caffeine and sugar are stimulants best consumed early in the day. Try some herbal teas, non-caffeinated sodas, or a cup of Mom's prescription for sleep – hot cocoa. Go ahead and put some whipped topping and a sprinkling of cinnamon for a special treat that also helps you relax and get to sleep.

Try these few, easy techniques and see for yourself. Rare will be the day you'll be saying, “I can't fall asleep.” Yay for you!