Stop Sleep Problems: Natural, Effective Solutions to Sleep
If you’ve ever found yourself tossing and turning at night, unable to fall asleep despite your best efforts, you’re not alone. Many people experience sleep problems at some point in their lives. Difficulty sleeping for even one night can have a significant impact on your health, wellness, productivity, and mood. If you lay in bed for hours and can’t sleep, you will likely start the following day without as much energy, positivity, or cognitive ability. In this article, we’ll explore the common issue of having trouble sleeping and provide insights into why it happens and some sleeping problem solutions you can consider.
Why is my body not letting me sleep? I can’t sleep, what should I do?
One of the most frustrating experiences is lying in bed, exhausted, but unable to drift into a peaceful slumber. Ideally, if you are exhausted, finally able to end your day, and get to bed, you would think you would be able to fall asleep relatively quickly and easily. However, there can be many reasons that this doesn’t happen for many people. Lifestyle choices such as diet, time of day eating/drinking, use of stimulants such as caffeine, irregular sleep patterns, too little exercise), poor sleep hygiene (screens too close to bedtime, inconsistent bedtime routine, poor sleep environment, etc.), stress, anxiety, or an overactive mind that keeps you awake. Certain medical conditions such as sleep apnea can also make it difficult to fall asleep.
Outside of medical conditions that need healthcare provider help, you can choose to implement many healthy habits and practices to maximize your ability to fall asleep and stay asleep:
- Sleep hygiene: Stop using screens within a few hours of bedtime, sleep and wake at the same time every day, don’t consume alcohol or heavy meals too close to bedtime, eliminate caffeine later in the day, and optimize your sleep environment with a comfortable temperature and bedding.
- Manage stress: Not only is it important to manage the stress at night when you can’t fall asleep, but it’s also essential to regularly resolve stress during the day so you have less to keep you up at night.
Why can’t I sleep at night but can during the day?
The only thing worse than being tired at night and not being able to sleep (have you ever experienced your eyes closed but can’t sleep?) is barely being able to stay awake and falling asleep easily the following day. If you end up sleeping during the day and staying awake, this can cause sleep problems until you regulate your circadian rhythm again. The circadian rhythm is a 24-hour cycle that regulates your physiological processes in the body, including the sleep-wake cycle. When this rhythm is disrupted, it can lead to falling asleep or staying asleep at night. At night, when it’s dark out, your body’s internal clock expects you to sleep, but factors like stress, poor sleep hygiene, and disrupted routines (due to travel, work, illness, etc.) can disrupt this natural process.
What to do when you can’t sleep and are bored at night? I want to sleep, but my brain won’t let me
When you find yourself in the middle of the night, unable to sleep, it can be frustrating which can lead to an increased level of wakefulness. You may want to sleep, but your mind refuses to cooperate, keeping you awake with a racing train of thoughts. Racing thoughts that keep you up at night are usually when you are reacting to an event that is disproportionate to its size and impact on your life. If you are ruminating about the day or worrying about a past or future event, it’s imperative to stop the racing thought train at the moment and also to try and prevent it in the future. Consider breathwork, reading, journaling, or traditional meditation. If you’ve ever said to yourself, “I want to sleep, but my brain won’t let me”, you may need reliable and predictable sleep help. Use NuCalm Rescue, PowerNap, or FlowState for reliable and predictable stress relief during the day, and DeepSleep at night for sleep onset.
Finding Solutions to Sleep Problems
Sleep problems can be challenging to deal with, but they are not insurmountable. If you’re wondering why you’re having trouble sleeping, consider evaluating your sleep habits, managing stress, and creating a relaxing bedtime routine.
Incorporating healthy sleep practices into your daily life, such as maintaining a consistent sleep schedule, creating a comfortable sleep environment, and managing stress effectively, can go a long way in helping you overcome sleep difficulties. Remember that sleep is essential for your overall well-being, and finding solutions to sleep problems is a valuable investment in your health and quality of life.
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