What To Do If You Can’t Sleep

There’s nothing like getting a good night’s sleep, waking up refreshed and energized, and feeling ready to start the day.

It can make a huge difference in your life. You will be more mentally alert, more relaxed, and little things won’t set you off. Not being able to sleep, well, that’s another story. It’s horribly frustrating if you want to sleep and you can’t. But don’t worry, I’ve got some tips that are sure to help if you find yourself in this unfortunate situation.

Here are several ways to help you sleep better:

Don’t stress.

For starters, if you’re in bed, not able to fall asleep, don’t stress out about it. The worst thing you can do is look at the clock, think to yourself, “I’m going to be tired tomorrow,” and get yourself all worked up. Trust me, I’ve been there, and I’m guessing, you have also. Relax. Assess what is going on in your life. Is something bothering you? Are you feeling extra stressed out? Do you have a big day ahead of you? Often, if you can’t sleep, it’s because there’s something weighing heavily on your mind. The best thing to do is try to figure out what’s keeping you awake, acknowledge it, and do your best to let it go. Even telling yourself, “I’ll think about that tomorrow” can sometimes help.

Focus on something besides sleeping.

I’m a huge fan of meditation, and this always helps me fall back asleep. Close your eyes and focus on your breathing. There are tons of meditation apps you can download on to your phone that can help you fall asleep. Keep a pair of headphones by your bed so you don’t have to go searching for them if you need them. Experiment with the different options available, and I’m sure you’ll find a guided meditation that will work. Other good options are to read, write in a journal, or listen to relaxing music.

Get out of bed.

I’ve been know to take a hot shower or bath at 2:00AM, and it’s amazing how this helps. I find it relaxes me, and then I’m able to get into bed with a fresh start. There’s something about hot water that always works for me. I like to put eucalyptus oil in my shower and bath, and always keep essential oils on hand. Researchers recommend getting out of bed if you’re having a hard time falling asleep, doing something to help you fall asleep, and then getting back into bed. It really does work.

I know it’s no fun when you can’t fall asleep, but remember, it’s not the end of the world. Ask yourself, “What’s the worst thing that can happen?” You’ll be tired the next day? Sure it’s not ideal, but you will survive. I promise. Creating an evening routine each night, about thirty minutes before you want to go to sleep can also help your body get into the sleep mode. Figure out what works for you, experiment with different evening rituals, and be consistent. I enjoy taking a hot bath, doing a little mediation, writing in my journal, and reading before turning the lights out. This usually works for me, and has decreased the number of nights I have trouble falling asleep. Exercise during the day also helps me release bottled up energy and helps me feel tired.

Wishing you sweet dreams!