Tips to Help You Fall Asleep Faster
By Sara Butler
If you find yourself waking up in the morning feeling as if you've hardly slept a wink, then you're not alone. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 1 in 3 adults has difficulty falling asleep and staying that way. While struggles with sleep may be common that doesn't make them healthy. If you find that you have trouble falling asleep, then here are some tips that may be able to help.
Take a Look at Your Routine
You've probably thought about your sleep routine as a reason behind your sleeping difficulty, but you really need to look at the bigger picture. Your routine during the day can have an impact on your sleep too. Think about how much caffeine you have during the day, how much you exercise, and when you're doing both of those things. Caffeine and exercise too close to bedtime can keep you from being able to fall asleep easily. Overall, taking a look at the things you do during the day can give you clues as to why you may be struggling at night.
Examine Your Coping Mechanisms
If you find yourself in bed unable to sleep, then what do you normally do? If you lay there tossing and turning or turn on the television, then those coping skills won't serve to help you get to sleep sooner. Instead of doing those things, consider getting up out of bed and going in the other room for a warm cup of herbal tea or reading a book. When you start to feel tired, then go back to bed and try again.
Put Your Phone Away
You know you shouldn't be using your phone in the hour before bedtime since the blue light can delay the release of sleep hormones, but you may need to take it one step further if your phone is a distraction. You might need to put your phone in another room when it's time for bed. If your phone is your alarm clock, then consider buying a real alarm clock so you don't have an excuse to keep it close by. The key is to create new habits surrounding the use of your phone at bedtime so that it won't become a distraction that keeps you from the sleep you need.
A good night's sleep is the foundation for your whole day, so do what you can to get the best sleep each night.
To learn more about your health, wellness, and fitness, see your local chiropractor at The Joint Chiropractic in South Jordan, Utah.