How to Fall Asleep - Even Under Stressful Conditions

A good nights sleep in essential when fighting stress

There are some times in our lives when we feel as if we should have been taught how to fall asleep. Nighttime rest is crucial to everyday function but it can be very difficult to get especially if you suffer from occasional insomnia. Sleeplessness is no fun and getting information on how to fall asleep soundly and consistently isn't always easy.

Since I experience occasional bouts of insomnia I can certainly understand the appeal of being taught how to fall asleep. The aggravation associated with a sleepless night is overwhelming and those very aggravations can actually feeding into the restless state. I can remember countless nights watching the clock pass the precious night time hours away.

Overcome Insomnia - Learning How to Fall Asleep

Since I experience occasional bouts of insomnia I can certainly understand the appeal of being taught how to fall asleep. The aggravation associated with a sleepless night is overwhelming and those very aggravations can actually feeding into the restless state. I can remember countless nights watching the clock pass the precious night time hours away.

Those hours were meant for rest and as the clock ticks away so does your chances of getting a good nights rest. Of course knowing how to fall asleep when you are in a state of panic about being a zombie the next morning would be helpful but some things just cant be taught. However, there are some things you can do to ensure that you can get adequate shut-eye even if it is for only a few hours.

People like me have trouble resting at certain times. I never learned how to sleep in an automobile. For some reason I think that when my eyes are closed the driver is incapable of navigating the road. This unreasonable way of thinking can be the source of some of my restless nights in general. I haven't trained myself how to sleep under stressful conditions. The stress caused by knowing that you are not going to rest adequately to perform well the next day feeds into your insomnia. How to fall asleep under such stressful conditions is beyond me but there are some things I have tried to avoid getting to this point in the wee hours of the morning.

The first thing I had to do was take the television out of the bedroom. This was not easy for me because I love to relax in bed to watch my favorite shows. No one bothers me in the bedroom. Unfortunately, this was the biggest obstacle in my good nights rest. I found that removing the television was helpful in figuring out how to fall asleep at night.

I associated the bed with watching movies and shows rather than sleeping. I guess I never learned how to fall asleep while watching TV. Here are a few ideas that have helped me fall asleep more quickly

• Play some soothing relaxation music or nature sounds. Play it at a low volume. Let you favorite nature sounds lull you to sleep.
• Try getting up if you can't sleep. Get a book - maybe a dull book or one you've read before.
• Take a warm bath just before bedtime. Or even get out of bed of you can't sleep and run a warm bath.
• Practice self-relaxation / meditation - it does work! Start with your toes and work your way up to your head, tighten and loosen all of the muscles in your body. Repeat to yourself over and over, that you are getting very sleepy.
• Use deep breathing to relax yourself. Take full, deep breaths. Feel the oxygen fill your lungs. Feel your body as it pulls in and pushes out with each inward and outward breath. This helps you focus on your body and it's natural rhythms.
• Try not to sleep or nap during the day. Get up nice and early and stay up all day. Don't stay up too late. Going to bed at a reasonable time is important while learning how to fall asleep quickly.
• Avoid caffeine in the evenings. Coffee, tea, chocolate etc - all will stop you falling asleep.
• Cover up the clock display. Starring at the clock will only stress you further and stop you falling asleep!
• Take a morning or evening walk on a daily basis. Just by slightly increasing your exercise level, you can help yourself get to sleep quicker at night. You'll also sleep more soundly! Regular exercise is very important when trying to reduce stress in your life.

Article by M.D. Phillips of Symptoms of Stress.com, an expert in practical stress relief therapies.

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