Sleep better, feel better

In the past, I didn’t always get “good” sleep and frequently complained to others about it. Often. As a topic of conversation around the water cooler, sleep or lack thereof likely rates up there with the newest reality series. We are preoccupied with the length and quality of our sleep. When I was young and had trouble falling asleep, I would get out of bed, lie on the bedroom floor until I was exhausted, and then spring back into bed. Although I previously believed that getting warm again would aid in sleep, I now realise that cooling down instead was the key. I’ve probably tried every type of sleep aid, even though I don’t lie on the bedroom floor any longer.

We have overcomplicated sleep, according to Dr. Neil Stanley, director of sleep science at Sleepstation, and I concur. He said – “We did not require lotions, potions, or other sleep aids for a few hundred thousand years. These days, sleep is being pushed as a product, with some even instilling dread in people’s hearts that horrible things would happen if they don’t utilise their product to have a decent night’s sleep. One of the primary factors contributing to restless nights is likely the worry that the fear mongers incite.

I subsequently ceased complicating sleep, and it was then. Even though I still have certain nights where I don’t get much sleep, I quit worrying about them.

As you read or see something, consider it

Until your head reaches the pillow, you might feel peaceful and sleepy. Then, all of a sudden, unwelcome thoughts may start to flood your mind. Depending on what they are about, you could have to accomplish them the following day or today. Or something that someone else said, or that you said, or didn’t say… the possibilities are unlimited. Furthermore, even if you are able to sleep, these thoughts might wake you up at three in the morning. There is a temptation to attempt problem-solving, but doing so would probably make you more worried and prevent you from falling asleep. The factory is shut down at night, and serotonin helps control anxiety. There is no use in trying to find solutions because the neuromodulators norepinephrine and serotonin are switched off as you enter the REM period of sleep. However, if you let your brain operate while you sleep, you might wake up with a solution. Instead, consider a television show you’re watching or a book you’re reading. Think on the motivations behind a character’s actions or the direction the plot takes. This will cause your mind to wander and cause you to begin to drift. And if the issues rear their ugly heads again, tell yourself “not now” and go back to the narrative.

You’ll sleep, tell yourself

Insomniacs frequently discuss their condition with others. Endlessly. People then inquire about your sleep, and each time you respond that it was a poor night, you are sending yourself a stronger message.
You then fear that you won’t be able to sleep for an hour or two before going to bed. If this describes you, stop it because you are unknowingly conditioning yourself to avoid falling asleep. Every morning, even for a short while, tell yourself how good you slept. Continue telling yourself how good you sleep, then observe what occurs. At best, you’ll begin to sleep better; at worst, you won’t keep telling yourself you’re exhausted, which will make you feel better during the day.

Get a sleep package as a treat

By taking advantage of a sleep matters package, it has become typical for people to reserve a room at a hotel for one or two nights in order to have a decent night’s sleep. There is a significant amount of sleep tourism. Many of these packages include a warm bath loaded with salts, essential oils, and even crystals, herbal drinks, a hand-selected playlist, and pillow menus to make sure you have the proper place to rest your head. If you take a sleep break, you’ll be reminded that you can sleep and you might even be able to reset your circadian rhythms when you go back home.

Reduce the amount of time you spend in bed

Many professionals now advise staying awake till you can sleep if you have trouble falling asleep. When attempting to obtain more sleep, this could seem counterproductive, but the goal is to determine how much sleep you actually require each night. Even if you feel exhausted by 10 o’clock in the evening, wait until midnight if you sleep well on 6 hours of sleep and typically get up about 6 a.m. Once you’ve slept for about six hours per night for five or six nights, set your alarm for 15 minutes earlier. Although the term “sleep deprivation” may make you feel exhausted, experts say that this is the best strategy to achieve the restful evenings you desire.

Stop making it a big deal

One of my friends travelled over from the US for the wedding, and when he awoke the first morning, he was shocked to see the time was 3.00 on the electronic clock display in the hotel. He grumbled to himself that he would be exhausted all day due to jet lag and that he wouldn’t be at his best for the wedding. until he once again glanced at the time and noticed that it was 8:05. He leaped out of bed, ecstatic that he felt fantastic and had a nice night’s sleep. But after another glance at the time, 3.06 was displayed. Then he understood that his feelings had everything to do with his perspective on time and nothing to do with time itself.

Do you check the time when you wake up at night to see how many hours of sleep are still left? Quit making it a big deal. It matters less the less you make of it. If you tell yourself that, so what if you do feel a little tired? If you don’t dwell on how little sleep you had, you’ll probably feel less worn out.

Think about a show you’re watching or a book you’re reading when you have trouble falling asleep or staying awake at night, and allow your imagination take over from problem-solving. Before you go to sleep, promise yourself a restful night’s sleep. Since it’s simple to recognise oneself as an insomniac or restless sleeper, make a change to the story. To remind yourself that your body is capable of sleeping, treat yourself to a night or two away at a sleep spa. These are distinct from sleep clinics, which concentrate on sleep deprivation; these programmes soothe you into slumber. Limit the number of hours you spend in bed. Instead of using your bed as a fight, make it a place you wish to be.

Quit making it a big deal. Unconsciously, you start to focus on your lack of sleep when you constantly reminding yourself how exhausted you are and how poorly you sleep. As you drift off, allow yourself to become aware of how much more your thoughts about your lack of sleep influence you than the lack of sleep itself.

Hi, I’m Garima and I write about life experiences. I have several books available on Amazon. Check them out today! Any purchases or KDP reads will be greatly appreciated. If you like my books, do leave a review. Here’s my author page on Amazon – https://www.amazon.com/-/e/B0BQDZXYNV