How to Cope When You Can't Sleep

When you can't sleep, life becomes difficult. Lack of sleep can lead to poor function in day to day activities, weight gain, and depression. There are a few things that you can do to help you cope with a sleepless night and hopefully help you to sleep as well.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

1. Turn off all distractions. Playing on the computer and having bright lights and the television on will stimulate your brain. Turn them off at least 30 minutes before you go to bed.

2. Do something that relaxes you. Many people who suffer from insomnia report that they feel as though they can't "turn off" their brain. Think of things that typically relax you. These can include writing in a journal, meditation, or prayer. Experiment to see what works for you.

3. If you find that you still can not relax, try using some herbs. Valerian and Cat Nip are natural sedatives that might help you to cope when you can't sleep. You can usually find them in pill form in the supplement section of your grocery store. They also found in many herbal teas. If you want to use these herbs, make sure that you follow package directions. Lavender is another herb that is known to help you relax. You can make a lavender linen spray by adding a few drops of lavender essential oil to a cup of water in a spray bottle. Spray your sheets before bedtime.

4. If you have continued trouble with insomnia, consult your doctor. You could have some type of medical condition that could be keeping you from getting a good night's sleep. This must be discussed with your doctor. You can only cope with sleepless nights for so long before it will start to influence other parts of your life. Get help as soon as you can.

[racheltexas]

on 10/20/2009 5*