3 Tips for Beating Insomnia and Getting Sleep
By Genevieve Cunningham
Insomnia has a way of sneaking in and taking over our lives. It’s such a pesky problem to deal with. It usually starts out with some frustration and irritation over being awake, but it eventually turns into serious exhaustion, poor moods, lack of focus, and a decline in health. Perhaps the most frustrating part about insomnia is that it’s incredibly difficult to treat. The most common course of action is medication, but most of those medicines bring their own problems to the table, some of which are severe enough to make people stop their use. So what’s a poor insomniac to do? For those who have trouble getting enough shut-eye, take a look at these tips for beating insomnia and getting the rest you need.
You Have to Ease Up on Electronics
Recent studies have shown that the use of technology is one of the most detrimental factors in sleep for teens and adults. The lights emitted from the device tells our brain to be awake. And the longer we stare at the screen, the harder it is to tell our brains otherwise. It’s also quite stimulating to use technology. Our brains are constantly being fed with information, and because of this, we can’t wind down properly. When we suffer from insomnia, it’s tempting to reach for our phones and browse. But if you really want to beat it, you’ll put the devices away hours before bedtime, and you’ll leave them there until morning.
Play Catch Up
The longer you go without sleep, the worse your health gets. If sleep strikes, even if it’s at an odd time of day, go ahead and take advantage of it. The more sleep you get, the better it will be for your overall health. But if you’re trying to play catch up on purpose, aim for catching up on the front end rather than the back. What does this mean? It means instead of sleeping in, do your best to go to bed an hour or two earlier. This will help get you back on a healthy sleep schedule without ruining your internal clock for the next few weeks.
Be a Little Bit Boring
Yes, you’d love a nightcap and a quick binge of your favorite crime drama. But these elements are not good for sleep. Skip the alcohol completely, and instead of the TV, reach for a pleasurable book. Reading for pleasure calms the brain, winds down your thought processes, and let’s face it … it makes your eyes heavy! If it takes being a bit boring to finally get the sleep you need, do it. Your health will thank you in the long run.
Insomnia is one of the toughest things to beat in life. It comes out of nowhere, holds on for dear life, and often refuses to leave for months on end. But using these tips may help chase the insomnia away once and for all. If need be, seek the help of a professional. Sleep is valuable, and you can’t live without it. But first, give these tips a try and finally get the sleep that you have desperately been missing.