Tips & Tricks To Fall Asleep Naturally

You know you should be getting your shuteye every night, but if you’re like most of us, you’re either not sleeping enough, waking up a lot when you do, or lying there wondering if it’s too late (or, ugh, too early) to get up and turn on the TV. In fact, 60% of Americans experience sleep problems every single night.

As it turns out, simple tweaks to your all-day routine can prep you for a much better night’s sleep. Here’s what to do from the second you wrestle yourself from your warm bed in the morning to the moment you crawl back in after a long day. Follow these, and you can kiss those sheep goodbye.

Take a walk-  In Chinese medicine, insomnia caused by your brain’s inability to shut off the day’s stress is called “disturbed shen qi,” or a disturbed mental spirit. Releasing daytime stress before bedtime by taking a brisk walk or a warm bath is often more effective than taking a sedative.

Turn down the heat- Most people sleep more soundly in a cool room. A 2004 University of South Australia study found that the body needs to drop its core temperature for sleep to initiate normally.

Go easy on the booze– A nightcap, tempting though it may be when you can’t sleep, can actually ruin your slumber—and that’s especially true for women. According to one study, men who went to bed tipsy slept soundly—as well as when they were sober—but women slept fewer minutes and woke up more often. What’s more, alcohol robs you of REM and the other, deeper stages of sleep—which are the ones that make you feel most rested. Finally, like coffee, alcohol is a diuretic, it’s hard to sleep when you’re running to the bathroom every couple of hours.

Say no to coffee after noon- Your morning mug gets a pass, but guzzling it all day is a big no-no. Here’s why: It’s often said that caffeine has a half-life of about five hours—which means if you eat an early enough dinner, that after-supper cappuccino should be out of your system by bedtime, right? Unfortunately, that’s not quite right.

After seven hours, much of the stimulant will be gone from your system, depending on your sensitivity to it—but 25% of it could still be there. It can also increase nighttime urination and otherwise adversely impact your sleep.

Pump up the serotonin-  Serotonin is a natural hormone associated with inducing sleep. Deficiencies in tryptophan, vitamin B6, niacin, magnesium or other nutrients can inhibit the hormone’s functioning. The best way to maintain proper nutrient levels is to eat a balanced diet. A daily multivitamin may help supplement dietary gaps. If you suspect a severe serotonin deficiency, consult your medical health professional.

Take charge with the 20-minute rule- If you lie sleepless for more than 20 minutes, get up and do a task. Get your mind out of the circular problem of being kept awake by the inability to fall asleep. Read, iron that pile of clothes or write in your journal.

Balance your blood sugar- If you’re not sleeping well, ask your doctor about testing your blood sugar levels. People suffering from hypoglycemia can experience blood sugar fluctuations at night. A drop in blood sugar signals the body to produce hormones and neurotransmitters that stimulate sugar release, which may wake you up. If you are hypoglycemic, ask your health care provider whether nutritional measures are appropriate for you.

Do you have ways that help you sleep? Please share in the comment section below.