How to Calm Down Before You Sleep

It is sometimes very hard to leave the stress of our day behind us when it is time to sleep for the night, but there are a few simple things you can do to calm yourself down, no matter how worked up you may be.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Things You’ll Need:

• Comfy bed
• Decaf herbal tea
• Lavender-scented items

1. Make yourself a cup of warm decaffeinated team, preferably camomile. Sit on your bed and sip it slowly concentrating only on the cup of tea and not letting your mind stray to any other thoughts.
2. Stretch out all the kinks in your spine by reaching you arms towards the ceiling with an inhale and then exhaling and folding forward over your legs like a rag doll.
3. Lavender is a calming scent. Before you prepare to lay in your bed light a lavender candle, spray your bed with lavender water or use a lavender-scented moisturizer. If you have dried lavender, you can even sprinkle some in your bed.
4. Turn off all the lights and lay in your bed comfortably.
5. Concentrate on your breathing. Listen to your own breath as you breathe through your nose, without letting your mind wander.
6. Breathe in deeply. With your exhale, whisper the number one. Breathe in again and exhale on the number two. Continue all the way to ten. Chances are good you will be asleep before you finish counting.

Tips & Warnings

• The classics still work. When in doubt, a warm glass of milk is a great calming tool.
• Don't stress out about not falling asleep. This will make sleeping harder.