Tips for a Good Night's Rest

The reality is the all of us have problem sleep from time to time. If that is you, then these tips should help you through it. If you are a hard-core insomniac these tips can help take the edge off as well.

"This too shall pass". This was something my father always used to say to me when I was younger. It generally aggravated me until I got a little older and saw the true wisdom in it. When it comes to problem sleep, the more you get anxious about it, the more "awake" your mind and body become and the less you will be able to sleep.

Don't turn to pills for help immediately. Most people will only suffer through the insomnia for 1 or 2 nights. It is natural and normal to have problem sleep from time to time. If you do not have sleep problems consistently then you are much better off using some of the tips here and struggle through.

Now, if you are a card carrying member of the insomnia club like I am, definitely try the Sleep Again.

Try a warm bath and dim those lights! It will relax your body and mind. Some soft music can often help here as well. Make sure you have everything done so that you can get right into bed after the bath.

Read before you go to bed. This will depend on the person. A book is probably not a great idea, especially if you are the "get lost in a book type". Light reading only, not work, and try to do it while in bed.

Sex. Between the physical exercise and the hormones flying around, sleep often comes very naturally after sex.

Eat if you are hungry. While it is not good for your waistline to eat right before bed it is also really hard to sleep when you are hungry. If you often find yourself hungry before bed then you should plan a snack an hour or so before bedtime to make sure the issue isn't there when it is time for sleep.

A glass of warm milk or wine. Sometimes one of these will relax your mind and get your body and mind ready to sleep. However, I do not recommend both. :)

Talk yourself down. You can also try talking yourself down. If your mind is racing, you are nervous or anxious, or just can't stop thinking about something in your life then try telling yourself to stop. Remind yourself that nothing is going to change overnight. I find it useful to pick a "happy thought" and turn that focus to it. With your mental energy turned to something happy, often sleep will come much easier.