HEALTH

 

Between school and sports and your social life, it can be tough to get yourself on a proper sleep schedule. For some it takes just a few minutes to fall asleep, but for others it can take hours. If you're one of those not-so-great sleepers, you know that horrible feeling of laying awake night after night waiting for your eyes to close...and they never do. Or they do, but not until 4 a.m. Ugh. Before you try anything desperate, try one of these eight tips for drifting off to dreamland in less than an hour.

Take a warm shower. 
Studies show that taking a warm shower and then stepping into a cooler environment will decrease your body temperature, which will slow your metabolism and prepare your body for sleep. Showering around the same time every night gets your bod into a routine and will help you snooze a bit faster when your head hits the pillow. 

Forget the noise.
This one might seem a bit obvious, but turn off your TV or purchase yourself a pair pf sleep headphones and put on your most relaxing soundtrack. If you have an iPhone then check the app store for white noise makers. This will drown out background noise and lull your mind to sleep. 

Exercise during the day. 
Exercising during the day doesn’t just provide your body with the energy it needs—it also reduces stress which means better sleep. Note: Exercising within three hours of hitting the hay does the opposite because the adrenaline is still pumping so keep it earlier. 

Watch your posture. 
It’s easy to miss this part, because we naturally gravitate towards certain sleeping positions. However, certain sleeping positions are better for our bodies than others. Studies show that sleeping on your side is the best because it decreases the amount of stress on your muscles, ligaments and bones so you'll fall asleep faster *and* healthier.

Read a book before bed.
Ditch your phone and pick up the latest Sara Shepard book you've been wanting to read. Even though you might have turned down the brightness on your smartphone or tablet, it still is a strain on your eyes and mind. By turning down the lights to a dim status, and curling up with a book, you will slow your mind and tire your body. 

Trade in fashion for comfort. 
Sleep in loose-fitting and comfortable clothing instead of that super cute (but super itchy) romper. Relaxation and comfort are keys to snoozing soundly.

Make up a dream.
One super fun way to fall asleep is by distracting your mind. Think of your favorite scene from a TV show or movie, and then go through it in your head. Or use your imagination and dream up your *own* sitch (involving that cute boy from calc class, maybe). 

Get out of bed...really.
It’s important that your mind associates your bed with sleeping so, if you're tossing and turning, doctors suggest getting up and doing something else. Going into another room for about ten minutes should do the trick. This will help your body associate your bed with the actual act of sleeping, and in turn will help you relax enough to get to sleep. 

What helps you fall asleep? Let us know in the comments!

Photo credit: Pinterest.

by Kaila L | 4/6/2019