Many have endured the long nights of constant tossing and turning. You’ve gotten tangled up in your sheets, you’ve flipped your pillow over to the cold side, and you’ve questioned your nudity: ‘Should my clothes be on or off?’ If you’re anything like me, your mind just won’t shut off!
If you needed more proof for why getting enough sleep is important, last month, a study in the Journal of Neuroscience found that a lack of sleep can cause irreversible brain cell damage! So to make sure you catch enough zzz’s every night, I’ve put together a few tips and tricks that may help you fall into the deep sleep you’ve been DYING to get.
#1. A Cup O’ Tea Just For Me!
If you can’t sleep, try making a cup of your favourite decaffeinated tea. One of my favourites is Mother’s Little Helper by David’s Tea. This tea has peppermint and chamomile which help you fall asleep faster. It’s also organic, which is great! If you’re really desperate, take half a Gravol with your tea before you ‘hit the hay’ (grandma’s old remedy).
#2. Don’t Trick Your Mind
Turn off all your technology at least half an hour before bed. Thinking that reading an article online, scrolling through Pinterest, or reading your friends’ tweets will make you fall asleep faster is false. The lights on your laptop/phone trick your brain into thinking that it’s wide awake. This is why reading a book is a much better alternative; and no, an e-book does not count as reading a book.
#3. Meditation
You would think that this sounds lame, but wait until you’ve tried it. First, lay in your bed with absolutely no lights on. This way your eyes will still get the rest they need even though your mind is awake. Breathe in through your nose and out through your mouth. Force yourself into a deep sleep and forget about your day, your night, tomorrow, and the future.
#4. If Worse Comes To Worse
If you seriously cannot sleep whatsoever go to your pharmacy and buy some Melatonin; it’s a much better alternative than sleeping pills. Melatonin is a hormone that is secreted by the pineal gland, which helps your sleep cycle. If you find that this doesn’t work on the first night don’t sweat it, since it takes a while for your body to get used to the Melatonin. Take it for a week and then decide whether or not it works.
These are just a few tips that have helped me in the past. Hopefully they’ll work for you!
Note: I am not a doctor so if you find that none of the above work, book an appointment with your family doctor because it may be a sign of something more severe.
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