Do you have trouble sleeping at night? Then maybe this is for you. When you worry about needing sleep and twist around trying to find a comfortable position, you probably only making it more difficult to relax. How can we solve the problem of insomnia? Here are some tips:
* Let go of your worries. Your presentation at work tomorrow. That fight with your spouse. That lousy test score. None of these worries are helping you sleep. So how do you let go of your anxiety? Keep a notebook by your bed and jot down any problems you’re having – along with possible solutions – before you go to sleep. Outlining a “plan of action” will make your problems seem manageable, and that’ll help you fall asleep.
* Cut the lights. Bright lights send a signal to your brain that you should be awake. So avoid them 2 to 3 hours before bedtime. According to Dr. Michael Breus, author of Good Night, you should expose yourself to no more than 60 watts of light when you’re winding down for bed – that’s the amount in a low-wattage lamp light bulb.
* Get up after 20 minutes and go into another room. The bedroom needs to be associated with sleep – not with being restless. So head into the living room and do something until you feel drowsy. But don’t get on the computer or watch TV – the glow of the monitors mimics daylight, which tricks your body into staying awake longer. You need to do an activity where you can keep the lights low – so your body can get tired. So listen to relaxing music or do some light reading.
* Finally find a bed cover that is just the right thickness to sleep on. Not too thick which makes you hot and not too thin which makes it feel like you have nothing on your bed. This mattress pad SUPER comfortable!! So plush, it feels like you’re sleeping on clouds!
