How can I fall asleep faster?

Question

I've always had trouble sleeping... probably since highschool and it got really bad when I was in college. I was averaging 0-3 hours a night and the longest I could sleep was about 5-6 hours. That was 2 years ago but I still have trouble falling asleep at night. Ususally I lay there thinking about imaginary situtations and I find myself not being able to sleep.

Does that happen to anyone else?

Sometimes if I know I have a lot of work the next day, I take tylenol PM but not for more than three nights in a roll. I've tried the sheep counting and the raising your arms above your body thing (I read somewhere about that) but they dont work for me.

Any suggestion on what I can do that doesnt involve meds, drinking warm anything before bed, or dipping myself in warm liquids?

Actually if you can relate to my problem that would be something nice to read as well. Thanks =]

Answer 1

i can relate to your problem to a certain extent ... i never feel i get as much sleep as i would like, and am often awake until the small hours.

sometime i get to sleep, then wake up with thoughts running round my head for hours, chasing their own tails and resolving nothing.
i used to either lie there and suffer, getting more and more upset, or wake up and stomp around, or watch tv - neither of which helped much. now, if i find myself waking up in the night, i just get up, wrap myself in a blanket, and make myself a hot milky oat drink or a cup of redbush tea (hot drinks, i know!!) then i sit up in bed and read for a while. i try not to stress about being awake - even if i have to get up early - cos i know that makes it worse.

before going to bed i always used to stretch, and i read somewhere that deep stretching is meant to psychologically prepare the body for sleep - so perhaps you could try a deep stretching routine, or even yoga exercises, before retiring. try and stretch every muscle in your body, one at a time, starting with arms, neck, back, right down to legs and toes. it relaxes your whole body.
i do find that reading in bed usually sends me off. sometimes i feel tired, put the book down, turn the light off, and am immediately awake again! but if this happens, i just turn the light on and read a bit more. sometimes i fall asleep with the light on and the book in my hand, and that's fine!

i do hope this is some help - remember that getting upset or worrying about it just makes it worse, but i do know that its hard to be objective in the middle of the night!
good luck with your problem!

oh and i forgot to say, try and avoid going on the computer late at night, as that just stimulates your brain and makes it hard to switch off!

Answer 2

It all starts with how active your day is? Take a warm shower in the morning. Try to remain as active as you can, mentally and physically. Drink a lot of water during the day. Keep away from caffeinated and high fructose corn syrup loaded drinks. Brown Sugar is better than white sugar for you tea or coffee. Drink very moderate quantities of coffee or tea. Eat veggies and fruits. Eat whole grain breads and oat meal with jam/marmalade. Be regular with your bowel movements. If you can run or jog in the evening that would help. Take a warm shower [not hot] before you eat supper. Eat supper between 6.30 and 7.00 PM. Sit and do some writing or home work. If you watch TV do that before 9.30 PM. Brush before getting into bed. Wind down, read a good book and slowly fall asleep. A lot of these little things set you up to fall asleep easier and quicker have a calm sleep. You will wake with a fresh feeling. Brush once again, take a shower and you will feel even energized.

Answer 3

DRINK A CUP OF WARM MILK BEFORE GOING TO BED!!!!! DRINK NO STIMULANTS, COFFEE,TEA,ALCOHOL,ETC RED WINE IS ALSO RECOMMENDED TO DRINK BEFORE RETIRING TO BED!!!!!!! THIS IS THE ONLY EXCEPTION

Answer 4

excercise, excercise, excercise during the day makes you fall asleep really quickly...

Answer 5

You can have an orgasm. It does wonders for me.