When you're struggling to fall asleep at night, it can be tempting to turn to sleep pills or other medications to help you get some much-needed rest. However, these drugs often come with unpleasant side effects that leave you feeling groggy and unfocused the next day.
Falling asleep faster means a better quality of sleep, and there are some easy things you can do to help yourself drift off more quickly. This article will explore eight unexpected but effective ways to help you fall asleep faster.
Why Do You Have a Hard Time Falling Asleep?
There could be several reasons why you have difficulty falling asleep at night. It could be due to stress from work or personal life, anxiety about an upcoming event, jet lag, or simply because you had caffeine too late in the day.
Suppose you find yourself struggling to fall asleep regularly. In that case, it's essential to talk to your doctor to rule out any underlying medical conditions that could be causing your insomnia. Once you've ruled out any serious health concerns, you can start trying some of these tips to help you get some much-needed rest.
Looking for a good night's sleep? This post looks at 8 unexpected but effective ways to help you fall asleep faster, including practising deep breathing exercises, avoiding screens, and maintaining a clean and comfortable bedroom environment.
8 Unexpected but Effective Ways to Help You Fall Asleep Faster
1. Get up and move around for a few minutes every hour or so.
If you spend a lot of time sitting during the day, it can be challenging to relax and let go of any tension you're holding in your body. Moving around for just a few minutes every hour can help you feel more energised and relaxed, making it easier to drift off when bedtime rolls around.
2. Practice deep breathing exercises before bed.
Stress and anxiety are major contributors to insomnia, so taking some time before bed to practise slow, deep breathing exercises can help calm your mind and induce sleepiness. You might also try meditating or writing in a journal as another way to clear your head and ease into a restful state.
3. Set the mood for sleep with relaxing music or nature sounds.
Listening to soft, soothing music or relaxing nature sounds can help you release any tension in your body and get into a more relaxed mindset. This might mean creating a sleep playlist on your phone, using an app with ambient noise, or simply playing calming music from a nearby speaker before bed.
4. Avoid screens for at least an hour before bed.
Screens of all kinds heavily dominate our modern world - TVs, laptops, smartphones, tablets - and the blue light they emit can adversely affect our ability to fall asleep quickly and easily. By avoiding screens for at least an hour before bedtime, you'll be giving yourself the best chance of falling asleep quickly and sleeping soundly throughout the night.
5. Establish a regular sleep schedule and stick to it as much as possible.
One of the most important things you can do for your sleep health is to establish a regular sleep schedule and stick to it as much as possible. This means going to bed and waking up at the same time each day, even on weekends, and avoiding naps during the day. Creating this consistent routine will help train your body to fall asleep more easily at night.
6. Keep a cool, comfortable environment in your bedroom.
Your bedroom should be a haven for relaxation, so make sure it's dark, quiet, and cool enough to promote sleep. Consider using blackout curtains or an eye mask to block out any light, and invest in a good quality white noise machine to help drown out any disruptive sounds.
Invest in high-quality bedding, like Sloomy'sTencel Lyocell bedsheets, to help you sleep more comfortably.
7. Avoid alcohol before bed.
While a nightcap might seem like the perfect way to unwind and relax after a long day, drinking alcohol before bed can worsen insomnia. Alcohol is a sleep disruptor in itself, as it can cause you to wake up more frequently throughout the night and prevent you from achieving deep, restorative sleep.
8. Practice good sleep hygiene by keeping your bedroom clean and clutter-free.
Another critical component of good sleep hygiene is ensuring that your bedroom and sleeping environment are clean, comfortable, and free of clutter. This means taking care of any dust or allergens in the air with regular cleaning or an air purifier, keeping your bedroom tidy, and removing any distractions that can keep you up at night, like screens or bright lights.
Conclusion
You can do many things to help yourself fall asleep faster, but these eight tips are a great place to start. By establishing a regular sleep schedule, avoiding screens before bed, and practising good sleep hygiene, you'll be well on your way to getting the restful night's sleep that you need.