Struggling to fall asleep, huh? Welcome to the dark side. Whether it’s due to a hectic work/school schedule, personal issues or just the way your brain is wired, sleep deprivation is no one’s best friend (OK, probably Elon Musk‘s but he’s just a different species altogether). So, friend, if you are running low on juice, and coping with only a couple hours of sleep a week, this one’s specially dedicated to you.
In Malini’s Girl Tribe, we discussed the pitfalls of struggling to sleep and how one can combat these through easy, home remedies. The ladies on there gave some useful suggestions, and I’ve compiled a few of the best ones for you.
Here are 8 ways in which you can learn how to sleep better:
1. Put Electronics Away.
OK, this is pretty self-explanatory, but listen up peeps. The blue light that our phones and laptops emit is incredibly harmful to our eyes and can damage our sleep patterns. It restricts the production of melatonin, a hormone that controls our sleep. The best way to combat this is to put away all electronics around 30-45 minutes before your ideal sleep time and…
2. Read A Book.
While reading can be someone’s ideal pre-sleeping indulgence, it might seem boring for others. One thing that is proven to work is to read a book (non-fiction is recommended), to make you sleepy. This is because reading will cause your mind to take a break from work stress and cool down. 39% of people who read before they sleep are said to sleep well. So, what are you waiting for? Grab a book and get started!
3. Calm Down—Literally.
Taking the stress from your day to bed with you is not a practice I like to preach. The only way you’ll be able to relax and calm down is to meditate. You could start with deep breaths, and as you go on, inculcate more steps in your meditation routine. Using a meditation app such as Headspace and Calm to help guide you, if needed.
4. Drink Chamomile Tea.
My go-to answer for anything and everything is tea. And specifically, chamomile tea. I genuinely believe there’s nothing a cup of tea can’t solve. Brew yourself some chamomile tea, open up a book, and listen to some calming music.
5. Go For A Walk.
If you truly can’t leave your stress at bay, and it’s eating you up inside, make sure you go for a short 10-15 minute walk around the block. It could just be around your building, or within your compound, but make sure you get some fresh air. This will automatically make you feel refreshed and ready for bed.
6. Pray.
OK, hold up a second before you skip this point. Many people swear by this method that praying can help ease you and feel more at peace. If you’re not religious, you can opt for chanting Om instead.
7. Use Lavender Oil.
Invest in some good ol’ lavender oil and watch the magic unfold. Apply some of this oil on your pillow. Inhaling this will make you more relaxed and facilitate a good night’s sleep.
8. Take A Warm Bath.
Ever taken a cold shower to wake yourself up? Well, it’s not rocket science, you guys, a hot one will help you fall asleep. Take a hot shower or a warm bath an hour before your ideal sleep time. Don’t take one too close to when you want to sleep because it could make you feel restless and sweaty. Let yourself cool down a bit, and voila!
Which one of these methods will you try out tonight? Let us know in the comments below! Don’t forget to follow @missmalinilifestyle for more cool updates 🙂