What to Do When You Really Can’t Sleep
Gently waking refreshed from a cosy slumber is a great way to start the morning and can leave you feeling ready for anything. However, life is not always straightforward, and sleeping is sometimes tricky! Especially when life, tiny people who can grab a nap during the day and other distractions come into the picture.
Here is a list of things to try when you can’t sleep, as lying there and getting annoyed at not being able to sleep is never a great solution.
Relax
I know this can be easier said than done when you can’t sleep. However, you are more likely to nod off if you can relax and reframe what you are doing. So instead of failing to fall asleep, reframe it to, I am lying here to relax. This will help to remove some of the frustration from the situation and make it more likely that you will be able to drift off.
Look at why you can’t sleep: Are you stressed? Is it too noisy? Is the light streaming in through the window? These are issues that can be easily solved to help you sleep regularly and without stress.
Stress
If you are stressed, keep a notebook by your bed, and write down everything that keeps you awake in the notebook before you try to sleep. You can store these thoughts in the notebook overnight and deal with them in the morning with a clear head, which may make the task seem simpler.
Noise
If noise is the reason you cannot sleep, can you use earplugs or play white noise in the background, as this will help to make the other noises less distracting for your brain.
Light
Whilst the early morning sunshine is beautiful; it can be less than welcome if it streams through the window. Sleeping with an eye mask is a simple solution. It can quickly give you the darkness you need and stop your brain from whirling thoughts around when you only need some precious sleep. A sleep mask can also be a great solution if you need to sleep during the day, have a street light outside or have a partner or child who needs the light.
Get up
If you have been lying there without finding sleep for over 30 minutes, it may be a good idea to get up and try again in a little while. While you are up, avoid the TV and screens, which will stimulate your brain with the light and try to read, sit quietly or do tedious light tasks like folding the washing. This can give your brain time to relax and get ready for sleep.
Set the alarm
When you have had a shocking night’s sleep, it is often easy to sleep as soon as the alarm goes off! However, a lie-in is far more likely to lead to you having another night when you can’t sleep. Setting the alarm, and getting up when it goes off, will help you to be tired when it is time to sleep. Over time it may also help you to create a good sleep pattern, making the sleepless nights just a thing of the past.
It can be hard to know what to do when you really can’t sleep. However, using a few simple tips, such as using an eye mask to block out light. Writing down your thoughts to help clear your mind, and getting up when the alarm goes off, can all make a difference and help you get off to a good night’s sleep, waking up refreshed and ready for a brand-new day!
This is a collabrative post.
Pin It!
