Can't Sleep? 5 Reasons Why And 5 Useful Tips!

Do you allocate time after a days work to properly unwind? Proper Relaxation allows the body to rebuild energy! If you aren't relaxing properly then your mind is probably still active when you are trying to go to sleep.

Alcohol is a tricky one. While some people say it helps them sleep, they don't realise what else it is doing. It is true that alcohol helps that first initial "fall" but it also upsets the natural sleep cycle we go through resulting in an increased number of awakenings during the night.

Did you know that caffeine is still actively stimulating the brain for up to 20 hours later? This means that if you have a morning cup of coffee that it is still effecting you at midnight! Many people use caffeine to beat tiredness without realising that it is actually causing more! This can be a rather vicious cycle.

Do you get mixed feelings during the day? Depressed then happy, pleasant then dark or energetic then weak? This is a typical result of a sugar binge the night before. Whether you get the ups and downs or simply just can't fall asleep, your blood sugar may be an issue. Sugar before bed is NO GOOD!

Most of us think when we hit the pillow but we must try hard to keep our thoughts positive. Don't let yourself worry about things you can't control! Not only is it a waste of time but it will eat your sanity and rob you of sleep. Only contemplate a problem when it is practical and relevant.

Try to stay up until you feel tired and ready for bed. If you go prematurely you will only find yourself tossing and turning. If you do go to bed and can't sleep, get up and do something until you feel tired, read a book or watch tv.

You should start preparing for bed long before you're actually ready to go to sleep. Leave your work at work! Home time is your time, whether you jog, walk, meditate or watch tv, if you're having trouble sleeping then leisure time is not time to be worrying about the next day at work.

Regular sleeping habits are good sleeping habits! Experiment with different bed times for a couple of weeks and stick to it. If you find before bed rituals that create the right mood for sleeping then go with it every night. This will develop positive sleeping habits that will make falling asleep effortless.

Some people say a glass of warm milk helps them sleep and others say a tuna sandwich helps. Obviously these may not work for you but something will! Find something that appeals to you and that you will enjoy and make it a good habit. Try to avoid sugars, caffeine, salt and starch.

It has been argued for years that the effects of herbal remedies are not dangerous and they have been around alot longer than the modern day chemical drugs. Herbal remedies are an inexpensive way to get a sedative effect on the mind and body and have not been proven to have any side-effects. Some commonly used herbs are passion flower tea, sand verbena, catnip and primrose tea.