What does everybody do when they can’t sleep at night?? Think about their favorite cuddle or client if you are a pror?? Lie there?? Read a good book??
When I was young, I used to count sheep. But now I count my debts, my mistakes, my heartache, and cry myself to sleep like a grownup.
I stop my mind chatter or that part of my brain that wants to talk and think. I can only do it for seconds at a time then all of a sudden, bam I'm out. It's one of the few meditation techniques I can do lying down. Tonight I cuddled in a group and I don't want to go to bed but I know I'm going to sleep deep. Love that oxytocin.
When I can't fall asleep I use a deep breathing technique to slow my breathing. 5 count in, 5 count out. In numerous occasions it's helped my fall asleep within minutes.
Reading for a while usually helps me... if I use a candle or something that isn't bright enough to kill the sleepy vibes. There are also a whole lot of "Relaxing Background Music" mixes on YouTube, which help when you can find one without a loud, obnoxious ad every three minutes.
Failing that, there's nothing like warm milk with cinnamon and honey.
Rarely happens, but an hour on social media does the job
I think reading a book is a great tip. That's one of my go-tos if I'm having problems sleeping. But as Darren says, keep the lighting low if you can. (And I prefer an actual book than Kindle or mobile/tablet, as apparently the light from your device can send signals to your brain saying it's time to wake up.)
I also use a few different meditation apps that come with either sleep meditations or sleep stories. Calm and Insight Timer are two of my favourites. Stephen Fry talking about lavender fields in Provence (one of the sleep stories on Calm) usually has me gone within 10 minutes. That one's available as a freebie on YouTube, though not all of them are.
Lastly, there's a theory that the need for a solid 8-hour sleep is a myth, as recounted here on the BBC website. So if I wake in the night, sometimes I just go with it and have a read and a cuppa (decaf) for an hour before the 'second half' of my kip.
YouTube has some really good videos for insomnia and sleep meditation. I've found a few very helpful.
I travel a lot for work and the first night anywhere is the toughest night for sleep. Usually the sounds of a fan, A/C, or those white noise devices that sound like rain or ocean waves sometimes does the trick. In my younger years, a shot of tequila/whiskey/whatever helped, but in this decade I'm not going to risk heartburn for some shut-eye. Not a fan of background music, and I'd rather not be assaulted in my dreams by Enya, Enigma, or (shudder) Kenny G. As not all hotels are created equal, the more white noise the better, as neighbors going at it is not relaxing or helpful.
Exercise—treadmill, long distance walking, whatever is available at home or on the road does the trick and kills two birds with one stone. Exercise has also been shown to get your circadian rhythms back on track.
Guided imagery and meditations that are found (free) on the Insight Timer App -- I do this every night, using comfy blu-tooth headphones. Because I do this so regularly, I've adapted to falling asleep with the headphones on -- and apparently I take them off while dead asleep in the middle of the night.
I usually take a hot/warm bath. The bath makes me very sleepy and drowzy. It works every time. A drink of red wine does the trick also. I am asleep before I know it.
I stay awake but am seeking professional help and you should definitely not do that (that being just stay awake. If you need it, please get professional help. It is a literal life saver)
I bash myself to sleep
@pmvines you are not the only one with that idea:
I stay up. I go to bed when I start yawning. When I hit the pillow I'm out. If I go by a clock, I lay there thinking. Been doing it that way my entire adult life and my health is excellent (except for self induced sports injuries). I've always felt that my body will tell me how much sleep I need, not some "expert" or a study. And usually, that is around 6-7 hours but with a single cup of coffee upon waking, I feel exactly the same all day with as little as 4-5, and I never nap. I know, it's a super power. Sorry.
@funcartel I'm not quite that acrobatic
When I can't sleep, I scroll thru these forums.
When I really can't sleep, I comment on these forums.
When my sleep is persiatantly elusive, I become chatty on the forums, just like the last commenter.
Hope you got some rest @creedhands lol
@creedhands Trying to stay active on the forum
Hahahahaha
When I can't fall asleep I ...
Busted!
Have a glass of Morgon from Beaujolais. Works all the time!