Insomnia: what to do when you just can't fall asleep


Insomnia is the worst. Lying there and struggling to sleep is so frustrating because you know you’re going to feel tired in the morning. However, no matter how hard you try, falling asleep seems impossible. Luckily, there are things you can do if you’re battling insomnia. While it might take some time for them to work, you’ll get your sleep routine back eventually.

Hit the treadmill

Many people ramble on about the benefits that exercise has on the body, but they’re not wrong. Keeping fit will do you a lot of good, and not just for your waistline. By exercising regularly, you’re likely to sleep better at night. This is because you’re tiring yourself out during the day, making it harder for your body to stay awake later on.
However, make sure that you’re not doing your exercise too late in the day. You might think going for a run before bed will tire you out, but it’ll actually wake you up. It takes a few hours for the tiredness to sink in, so keep that in mind when planning your fitness routine.

Avoid sleeping in

You’ve spent the entire week losing sleep because you have to be up for work at a specific time. Surely that means you’ve earnt a lie in on the weekend, right? Wrong. If you want to fight your insomnia, it’s best to avoid this at all costs. As painful as it might be, forcing yourself to get up at the same time every day will train your body to keep up that routine in the future. It won’t be easy at first, but it’s one of the best ways to overcome insomnia.

Insomnia: what to do when you just can’t fall asleep

Avoid napping, too

Okay, so you can’t sleep in, but naps are surely allowed, aren’t they? Unfortunately not. All you’re doing is messing up your sleep schedule by napping throughout the day. While you might feel drained, it’s important to try and stop yourself from taking a quick nap to avoid falling into bad habits. Plus, if you sleep during the day, you’ll end up confusing your body. You want it to associate nighttime with sleep, so a nap while it’s light outside will send the wrong message.

Beds are for sleeping

There are a few things your bed is essential for, but that’s it. Away from sleep and intercourse, you should refrain from doing things in your bed that will keep you awake. Don’t watch TV or talk on the phone, because you’ll only be making matters worse for yourself. If you only see your bed as a place to sleep, then it’ll come quicker to you once you retire for the night.

Don’t worry, be happy

Do you lie in bed thinking about things? It’s what most of us do because it’s the first time all day that we’re left alone with our thoughts. Understandably, that can be detrimental to getting sleep. If your brain’s thinking too hard when you’re in bed, you’ll never be able to fall asleep. Although it can be hard to switch yourself off in these moments, it’s easier to do if you allow a period of time earlier in the day to ponder things. By getting all your thinking out of the way beforehand, you’ll free your mind to relax when it’s time for bed.

No midnight snacks

It’s important to refrain from eating or drinking a few hours before bed. If you indulge before you go to sleep, your digestive system will keep you up and prevent you from catching some Zs. Plus, if you drink a lot before bed, you’ll end up having to make numerous trips to the bathroom while you’re trying to sleep. That’s the last thing that you want.
There’s no quick fix for insomnia. Unfortunately, not getting a good night’s sleep can be more of a hindrance than we realize. If you’re struggling at night and need some help, hopefully, these tips will make all the difference you need.

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