Sleep Tips!
I have a big fear that one day like my mother and grandmother I won’t be able to sleep in the middle of the night, I’m a pretty good sleeper now, but I sometimes can’t sleep and have very clear methods that I use to get back to sleep. One night it got me thinking about what everybody else does.. we seem to be all same same but different.
My tips are (usually one of these works):
1 Turn the pillow to the cold side
2 Couple of sprays of rescue remedy
3 From my mother… clench and relax all your muscles one by one and on every breath out count the number one.
4 Turn around and sleep upside down with your head at the foot of the bed.
5 Do something that annoys you and then wait for a while until you can’t handle it any more and then remove it… eg: mine is I HATE sleeping in socks, so I put some on, they drive me crazy and then when I remove them I am so happy I fall asleep!
Here are the answers from our facebook likers.. so many more handy tips!
Turn the pillow over to the cold side!
I find rubbing lavender oil on my feet works wonders, im unsure why but it works!
For me a dose of Rescue Remedy seems to do the trick. No doubt its psychological.
When I used to do yoga AGES ago at the end we would focus in stretching each finger, toe etc and then relaxing it. I find focusing on this stil works and I never get to the end before falling asleep!
My tip to get off to sleep is to relax your jaw.. Like REALLY relax it, to the point where you are basically dribbling. I know that sounds peculiar but apparently the jaw is one of the last muscles we relax before we go to sleep, and it helps to relax the whole head and neck. Ohh - and have a drop of lavender oil on your pillowcase where you rest your weary head. Either that or get really drunk on wine.
Magnesium and calcium tablets a winning and calming combination. also i really try to unwind by reading and no tv, keep things nice and quiet after 9 or 10pm
Magnesium! Works a treat. :-)
When I turn my light out each evening I count on my fingers 10 things I’ve been grateful for in my day… It can be absolutely anything. I generally find I’m asleep before I even get to number ten. What’s even more lovely about this little routine is that I go to sleep each evening feeling completely blessed for who I am, the life I’ve been given, and the people in it… It beats going to bed thinking about what I need to do, or what’s upset me during the day. I suppose it’s like counting sheep, only cooler because it leaves me feeling content. I started this simple practice over 3 years ago when I was injured in a car accident, and couldn’t move for three months…. and it was seriously so completely life changing, I still do it every single night. Umbrella or no umbrella, give it a go… I promise you will not only sleep better, but become a better and more happier person because of it.
Go outside and look at the stars, puts everything in perspective and gives you a chance to unwind before bed…
I always turn off all things like TV or mobile 30 minutes before bed so I can wind down. Tart cherry juice is also a new favourite that I’m trying out at the moment.
Kissing my 3 poppets on the forehead… makes you all warm inside… then taking my ice cold feet & warming them up against my poor hubby (then I usually spend the next 3 hours whacking him in an effort to stop him snoring) … not really sleep tips , more of a ritual ;)
Don’t have children!!
When I’m struggling to sleep I think about the best bed I ever slept in (a fancy hotel va-cay). It takes me straight back and I nod off straight away.
No computer or big light activities for half an hour before bed, and if sleep is terrible, then take Coffea 30x a homeopathic remedy, half an hour before sleep for 7 nights in a row and walaa, no waking up thinking silly stressful things at 3am.
This sounds really weird, but a cool shower … esp if I’ve been tossing & turning. Get up, turn shower on & make it quite cool. Jump in, twirl around & have a quick wash & when all soap off, turn it down to ice cold, do a quick turn around & out. Works like a dream every time, no idea why but never fails for me :)
I count in French - concentrates the mind!
My best get to sleep technique…1. ask husband for a back rub, 2. ask husband a rugby related question. Works every time.
If you can’t sleep, don’t! Get up, clean, fill out your tax return (guaranteed sleep right there) go shopping online… Oh! Fold fitted sheets! That terrible task works every time!
A bit of reading always helps or writing down on a pad of paper things that are pursuing on your mind. tensing all your muscles from feet to head and then slowly releasing them from head to feet works for me.
Hot tea and choccy biscuits. Works every time.
I have an app that has rain sounds - I think you sleep better when it’s wet and cold and windy outside and you are all snug inside in bed ….now I can do that despite the weather!
I find a cup of warm milk helps me :) Also love it when it rains - really soothing to fall to sleep too :)
Do Reiki on myself, it works really well.
My tip is - deal with whatever it is that is causing you not to sleep. If it’s worry about forgetting something, write it down, if it’s cold feet, warm them up with a hottie or electric blanket or socks, don’t just lie there thinking ‘i wish I could get to sleep’. A nice shower or bath before going to sleep, clean fresh flannelette pj’s and a few chapters of a good book (but not too good) usually does the trick.
Visualizing lying on a secret beach in the Pacific and imagining the sun shine on my skin!! Bliss!!!
Reading and Tea. Works a treat.
Hot shower works every time.
I think about dreaming and inception (a dream within a dream) and that works for me!
I imagine a miniature man in overalls- a ‘caretaker’, if you will- with a broom, wandering around in my head, sweeping away all my cares and cobwebs so they fall out of my ear and onto the pillow, until my head is clear, and sleep ensues…
Thinking back to a memory or a special occassion you would like to dream about, while you are thinking of deatils you drift off to sleep, that and clean crinkle free sheets to snuggle into.
Normally getting the ‘to do’ list out of my jumbled head and onto paper helps my brain to get into sleep mode. Once I’ve ‘switched off’ from task mode a little rub of the herb farm Sleepwell cream on temples and pulse points works wonders! (even when pregnant with incredible insomnia). Otherwise, pretend I’m sick, and ask husband to give foot massage.
I find the only way I can get back to sleep after waking is by doing deep breathing exercises …. listening to my breathing seems to lull me back to sleep land. Also a little lavender on my pillow before bed helps.
Focus on the sound of my own breathing only.
Thinking about all of the things that I’m grateful for, snuggling into the warm duvet, and enjoying the quiet :)
I just try to think through clearly whats keeping me awake :)
I find to get back to sleep I need to do something to take my mind off things. So I grab my cellphone and check my emails, the news or play a repetitive game until I can’t keep my eyes open any longer. It works everytime!
A long bath with essential oils and a glass of vino rouge. If that doesn’t knock me out then while lying in bed as I breath in and out evenly repeating the mantra “feet go to sleep” on each breath gradually working your way up I.e ankles, then calves, then knees, then thighs etc etc.
Meditation, great for clearing the brain of too many thoughts!
I have a hot shower and a cuppa as well as a foot rub and try to relax my mind. If I do wake in the night (which is most I try not to think about anything instead I try to think about sleeping instead. It does take a while but I do go back to sleep.
Rescue remedy sleep spray…also have a sleep oil blend from my massage lady. one sniff and you are in heavenly sleep.
Keep a notebook and pen by your bed. When your mind is turning over jot down what your thinking about. Takes the stress out of ‘having to remember’ til morning. Keep your bed for the two S’s ;-) and finally keep to a regular wake up time, helps the body get into a routine.
My tip may be a lil saucy….. anyway…. wake your husband up and get him to “help you relax”….. ;P
(sorry can’t find image credit)