Be your best self.
Productivity

5 Proven Tips to Help you Fall Asleep

One of my secret superpowers is my ability to fall asleep in 0.3 seconds. My man says that I will literally stop speaking and start snoring, mid-sentence. However, like most people, I occasionally have trouble falling asleep and it makes me really angry. It’s like being a straight-A student, who suddenly and unreasonably gets a D. Which, incidentally, also makes me really angry.

Here are a few little remedies you can use to help you get to sleep when it just ain’t happening.

1. Drop Your Core Body Temperature.

I read Counting Sheep last year and one of the biggest causes of insomnia is overheating. Your core body temperature must drop in order for you to get to sleep. So throw off your heavy blanket and open the window. Even having a warm shower can help because it makes your body temperature momentarily peak and then slowly lower as you fall asleep.

2. Place a Few Drops of Lavender Oil on Your Pillow

Lavender oil has a calming effect and aids in the reduction of stress. Which is exactly what we do when we can’t fall asleep, we stress about it. A few drops on your pillow, coupled with slow, steady breathing will have you snoring in no time.

3. Assume The Sleeping Baby Position

I have no idea where this came from but whenever I can’t sleep my man places me in what he calls ‘The Sleeping Baby Position’. A face-down sleeping position which looks like this. I drew a helpful diagram for you.

The reason why it’s so effective is because you can’t move or roll over. Sometimes your inability to fall asleep is simply a lack of stillness.

4. Clench and Release Your Body

This is an exercise that I used to use before theatre performances to relax my body, but I had to stop using it because it made me so sleepy, which makes it perfect for those nights that you are plagued by insomnia. Start with your toes, clench them for ten seconds, then release. Move on to your calves, clench them for ten seconds, then release. Move all the way up your body including knees, thighs, buttocks, hands, abdominals, chest, upper arms, shoulders, neck, face and finally your whole body. You should experience a short bout of muscle fatigue which might be enough to relax you and put you to sleep.

5. Play Mind Games

I find that a sure-fire way to fall asleep is by trying to not fall asleep. If you just repeat ‘Don’t fall asleep, don’t fall asleep, don’t fall asleep…’ in your head, chances are that the guilty napping part of your brain will jump into action and knock you out like a light.

What are your favourite getting to sleep tricks?

P.S Also you should totally sign up for my newsletter. It’s full of cool stuff.
P.P.S Don’t forget Crochet Coach has a free trial offer period at the moment so make sure you sign up!

 

86 Comments

  1. Alison 12 years ago

    Your sleeping baby position is the way I sleep all the time.  I love that position, my only modification is I try not to sleep full on my tummy, I usually lie on my side slightly turned to my tummy with my top leg bent up.  Wow, that is hard to explain…  

    Sometimes thinking about the things I’m thankful for helps me too.  That way, I’m not thinking about the things that worry me and keep me awake.

    • Author
      Smaggle 12 years ago

      I’m trying to be less of a tummy sleeping, it’s messing with my shoulders. I just can’t sleep on my back, I feel to vulnerable or something.

  2. Rebecca Brewin 12 years ago

    A friend once t0ld me to just lie there and not open my eyes. At all. Ever. Sounds simple but it works!

  3. Mr Smaggle 12 years ago

    Another tip: You can’t actually fall asleep if your feet are cold!  It’s like, biologically impossible or something.  So make sure you keep your feet warm!

    • Rob @notactuallyahero 12 years ago

      I have special socks that are really loose on the ankles for sleeping on especially cold nights. My wife thinks I’m a lunatic.

    • justme 11 years ago

      I can’t sleep with socks on or even with my feet under the covers, so it’s not a biological thing… Unless I’m not.

  4. LaLa 12 years ago

    I am a chronically light sleeper and sometimes these two (peculiar) things help me…

    I imagine that I am on gymnastic bars, usually uneven bars but
    sometimes parallel. I then imagine a routine, sometimes I don’t like my
    routine so I stop and start again. I think the important thing is the
    rhythmic nature of what I am imagining helps put me to sleep. And it
    stops my mind thinking about other things.

    Changing your position in bed or even changing
    beds. A girl I worked with once told me about this and I use it when I
    am desperate for sleep. I think when I am lying there awake I start to
    get frustrated with the pillow, the mattress, seeing the same shadows…
    If I am sleeping alone I will turn UPSIDE DOWN in the bed but as it’s
    pretty rare that I have the bed to myself I now move to the spare bed.
    Usually works 🙂

  5. Kristie 12 years ago

    Haha, I drew a bed diagram a few months ago too.

    http://karlandkristie.blogspot.com/2011/07/things-they-dont-tell-you-before.html

    When I can’t sleep, I kind of roll my eyes back while they’re closed a bit. I also turn on the air conditioner. It’s like 30 degrees F during the night, but since there are no windows that open, it’s back to the air conditioner.

    • Author
      Smaggle 12 years ago

      Ha! Very cute. I love the sad faces.

  6. Kathryn OHalloran 12 years ago

    I was once told to focus on my breathing and try to slow it down.  I’ve found though that this helps me go to sleep but not to stay asleep.

    • Author
      Smaggle 11 years ago

      Yeah it’s staying asleep part that’s so difficult.

  7. Shannon Gillespie 12 years ago

    I am a chronic insomniac and I’ve found one of the best things that helps me get to sleep is to drink more. I try to drink two glasses of water before I go to bed and I keep a litre jug next to me. I’ve found that if I wake up at night, it’s because i’m thirsty and chugging down a heap of water often allows me to just drink, roll over and fall back asleep.

    The try NOT to fall asleep thing is awesome as well, I use that all the time.

    • Author
      Smaggle 12 years ago

      I’m a chronic pee-er so drinking more only makes me get up more!

  8. Anonymous 12 years ago

    I sleep in that position, too (sometimes with a cat between my feet). I fall asleep really easily but if I wake up in the middle of the night I have a couple of gulps of fruit juice – I read somewhere that it balances out your blood sugar and lets you relax back into sleep; I don’t know if it’s true but it always works for me.

    • Author
      Smaggle 11 years ago

      Interesting thanks for sharing!

  9. Magatha May 12 years ago

    I used to do the sleeping upside down in my bed when I couldn’t sleep as a kid. It works like a charm every time. I always sleep in the sleeping baby position though. I find it very comforting.

    • Author
      Smaggle 12 years ago

      I love this upside down thing. I’m totally going to try it.

    • Higgleberry 11 years ago

      Sounds good! I’m going to try it

  10. Nina 12 years ago

    I totally agree with sleeping on your tummy, keeping your feet warm and concentration on breathing. I will breathe like I am doing yoga. I think about breathing in and then out, really slowly and deeply. It helps a lot. Great tips!

    • Author
      Smaggle 11 years ago

      Breathing concentration is a big one!

  11. Hair Romance 12 years ago

    I’m like you, I can sleep anywhere. On the rare occasion I can’t sleep I go crazy! I find it’s usually because I’m stressed so keeping a pad and paper by the bed to jot down notes helps me clear my head so I can relax.

    • Author
      Smaggle 12 years ago

      I feel like it’s almost worse for us. Like real insomniacs are used to it you know? 🙂

  12. nova 12 years ago

    I sleep exactly like that diagram! And if I’m having trouble falling asleep I think really hard about relaxing each body part. I think “okay toes, relax” and then wait ’til I feel them relaxing. Then feet, ankles, calves…I never make it past my knees.

    • Author
      Smaggle 11 years ago

      Awesome thanks for sharing!

  13. Marsha_calhoun 12 years ago

    Deliberately relax your jaw and tongue.  You’ll be amazed at how often you are holding your tongue in readiness to speak – just let it go.

    • Author
      Smaggle 11 years ago

      Yes! Relaxing the jaw is a great one!

  14. Jo 12 years ago

    I make a rule in my mind that I’m not allowed to think about work. Once I obey it, it works like a champ. Since apparently the only thing keeping me up at night is my job.

  15. Nell 12 years ago

    Best picture ever!! & I always sleep like that it is so comfy 🙂

  16. Luinae McAnish 12 years ago

    The body temperature one is gold! If I’m slightly chilly before I get to sleep (which is NOT difficult in Canada) I’m out like a light.

  17. Rob @notactuallyahero 12 years ago

    I know it’s probably a little oversimplified, and might not apply to everybody. But the most surefire way to help *a ton of people* fall asleep easier –

    Turn off the TV.

    • Author
      Smaggle 11 years ago

      Great tip! Totally Perfect!

  18. CamelsAndChocolate 12 years ago

    a) That is EXACTLY how I sleep, though I’ve always referred to it as the Jack Knife!

    b) Add Ambien as your #6. It’s my only surefire cure to insomnia!

    • Author
      Smaggle 11 years ago

      What’s Ambien?

      • kmx 11 years ago

        It’s a sleeping pill.

  19. Toothboii 12 years ago

    this may sound crazy i used to hit my head against my pillow BANG! BANG! BANG! i don’t do it much now but I am 18 and haven’t grown out of it it shameing  and i have never met someone who does this so if anyoneout there knows or thinks they know what to do let me know asap thanx 🙂

    • joanna 11 years ago

      My brother does this too. And I tap my foot unti l fall asleep. I think we find the rhythm to be calming, not to mention a slight muscle fatigue to help push us into sleep!

      • Author
        Smaggle 11 years ago

        I’ve tried foot tapping! Totally works.

    • Sami 11 years ago

      I do this to! I thought me and my twin were the only ones. Never figured out why we do though

    • Author
      Smaggle 11 years ago

      Never tried it! Thanks for sharing though.

    • Herobrine 11 years ago

      I like it feels good on my face

  20. Oally19 12 years ago

    Okay some things I do to fall asleep. I slip one foot off the side of the bed and kick it. I also count backwards from 99 while kicking it. Yes it rocks the bed. I did this all my life when I was formally a top notch sleeper but no more. 🙁
    If I’m tired enough I don’t get past 80. If I hit 50 I’m kind of out of luck.  I blacked out my bedroom.  A ice pack on neck.  A hot pad on tummy.  I put lavender in the air. I use a lavendar bath a couple hours before bed. Stretch about a hour before bed.  I play my ISON CD’s by David Ison that I got on I-tunes. The Yoga Nidra cd-s didn’t work so hot for me.  I also do the heart sound breath found in a Qi-Gong book. Cover the alarm clock and any other lights in the room.

  21. Little Miss Snuggles 12 years ago

    Great tips! I’m not an insomniac but sometimes when the heater is broken and it’s REALLY hot, I can’t get to sleep AT ALL. At the moment, I’m 12, and when I can’t sleep, I have this urge to turn around so I’m lying on the bed upside down. It doesn’t get me to sleep, but it relaxes me. When I am relaxed enough, I turn around and go to sleep. It really helps.

    • Awesome ninja 11 years ago

      That is totally what I do!!!!!!! And I’m 13!! 😀

      • Georgia S 11 years ago

        Same! (same age, same technique!)

  22. Minecrafter 12 years ago

    sometimes i’ll read

    • Author
      Smaggle 11 years ago

      Reading is great although I find I don’t get as sleepy reading on a kindle than a book or a mag.

  23. Ciera Kiara 11 years ago

    Falling asleep with a fully cold body is impossible. You have to have feet, Wrists, and ankles covered in the winter and fall at LEAST. Warmer temperatures help your body shut down. I personally can’t stand lavender. To each his own. Also, if you’re a kid it’s proven to help you fall asleep on a full stomache in darkness. It’s why kids fall asleep when their teachers use the Smart Boards. They turn off the lights.

  24. Ell 11 years ago

    A lot of people are saying the cold makes them fall asleep but for me it’s the opposite. If i’m in a warm place i’m out like a light. I can’t have my heaters on at night when i’m driving or anything because it has me tired in a matter of minutes. My man thinks it’s hillarious if he puts me in a warm place or cuddles me for 5-10 mins i’ll be asleep, even if i’m not tired.

    • Author
      Smaggle 11 years ago

      HA that’s so cute! love it.

    • Higgelberry 11 years ago

      That is the cutest thing I have ever heard

  25. CampbellSoup 11 years ago

    I will try this tonight! I have always had trouble sleeping.

  26. megatron 11 years ago

    none of these work, had like less then 2 hours of sleep of the past 2days

    • Author
      Smaggle 11 years ago

      Perhaps you might need to consult a GP. Good luck.

  27. hi 11 years ago

    I cant sleep at all cause i fall asleep and then
    Wake up a few minutes later and then i cant sleep

    • Farah 11 years ago

      The same thing happens to me all the time !!!!!

  28. :( 11 years ago

    It did not work…

  29. KatieEllen Wroe-Beacon 11 years ago

    Lying in bed and going inhale 234 exhale 234 …. helps if I have my eyes shut.

  30. Brooke 11 years ago

    I’m almost 20 and for the past few years I’ve always had trouble sleeping. The trick that always used to work for me as a kid was I would lay in the said position in the diagram and imagine myself on a big island. I would imagine myself drawing from 150 downwards in the sand with a stick. I never made it to 1.
    I will try these points tonight. It’s Almost 1am and I’m still not sleepy. I hope my tip helps some people. (:

    Oh! And I find I have a better sleep when I have my eye mask on. I don’t know why though. Thanks for the tips!

  31. trueblue 11 years ago

    easy, i count backwards from 25 never make it to the end..

  32. Farah 11 years ago

    Try breathing exercises its really works just inhale really deep with your eyes closed then exhale

  33. Aimee 11 years ago

    Thanks
    but I’m not sure itl work!;-(

  34. Mary 11 years ago

    My high school Psychology teacher once said he would do this one thing to help get himself to meditate:
    Close your eyes and then imagine the feeling of closing them again and again, further and further. Like, imagine that feeling of how your face/eyes relax and your eyes roll back a little once you close the lids. And just keep visualizing closing your eyes, then closing another imaginary set of lids, and then closing another over those, and another over all of those, so each time you imagine closing a pair of eyelids it feels more satisfying and like you are drawing inward, sort of. I suppose just the symbolism; the reenactment of shutting your eyes, can get you in the sleepin mood…
    Idk, but ANYWAY, I hope that made a bit of sense. And like I said, my teacher used the technique to meditate but I have often used it to help me get to sleep/get sleepier at night and it seems to work pretty well if I am up for it!
    This turned out to be quite an essay!! Haha okay bye bye

  35. Sherry 11 years ago

    Sleepy time tea! It’s so good! Available at Coles and Woolies x

  36. IamRey 11 years ago

    Oh man is this perfect! Thanks a bunch. Of course I had to add my own modifications as well (that baby position works great on babies because they don’t have two, often bothersome, chest cushions).

    p.s. Loved the diagram! I chuckled when I saw it, now these tips reeaally need to work. Thanks again, good dreams!

  37. Devan 11 years ago

    I feel it helps me to sleep naked.

  38. Livvy 11 years ago

    I Am sleeping at a friends house and they sleep with a light on how can I sleep with a light on when I don’t at home?

  39. jessie 11 years ago

    im a kid and it helps me to think that other people are also awake trying to fall asleep too

  40. jessie 11 years ago

    it helps to have some dull lights on (Because im a kid) or to have a pet or family member in the same room with me. Also in the spring i count the chirps of the crickets. my mom also told me to picture the number 2, upside down, inside out, designed, etc.

  41. Justin 11 years ago

    I breath out slowly and wait until I have no breath, Then i begin to breath in very very slowly gradually letting more air in until my lungs are full and wait until i need to exhale at which point i repeat the process, my body falls asleep very fast letting me dose off in a minute or two

  42. Sarah Morris 11 years ago

    I line up all the colors of the rainbow in my mine, and then I try to rearrange them so that no two colors are next two each other again. Foolproof. I also read one from a sleep specialist, where you think of 5 things you can see, then 5 things you can feel (touch not emotion), then 5 things you can hear. Then you do 4, then 3, and so on.

    • Sarah Morris 11 years ago

      Sorry I meant to say mind in the first sentence.

  43. Kylie 10 years ago

    I think it helps to have a easy to move in bed that way you do not need to fully wake up to fix your blankets

    It also helps to count to the highest numbre you can count to

  44. Rabbit & Abix 10 years ago

    If you hav trubl sleeping get into any posistion
    Bend your toes for 30 seconds and then you will
    Find you become loose and sleepy every second night night sleep tight hope the bed bugs dont bite xxx ( sweet dreams )

  45. Brianna 9 years ago

    I tend to kick legs off the end of the bed. I scoot down low enough that my feet hang off and I bounce my feet off the edge. Soon enough I’m passed right out. I also can’t sleep if I’m wearing pants, or socks. And sometimes i need to be in a certain position; on my stomach with my right ankle under my left knee or vice versa, with my arms under my head. Very weird. I also find the cooler I am the better and faster I fall asleep.

  46. Lynn 9 years ago

    I can’t sleep without a and it may sound strange but the sounds is calming

  47. Dagny 8 years ago

    I have a Classic featherbed from Down & Feather company to feel totally snuggled, wear a Nidra sleep mask to block out all the light, and keep the a/c at 70 degrees, while wearing chenille socks until my feet get too hot. Works like a charm!

  48. Anonymous 7 years ago

    I find sleeping with a cat helps me fall asleep. I’m a terrible sleeper, so hard to get to sleep, let alone stay asleep. My cats purring helps me sleep, I think its because its rhythmical and constant, not changing, so I fall asleep.

Pingbacks

  1. […] studied Somnapure, it can help people attain high-quality slumber. It can as well help individuals fall asleep immediately. Somnapure also makes people wake up feeling very refreshed, plus, it can boost one’s alertness. […]

  2. 6 ways to commit (or recommit) to your weight loss | aprilahh 9 years ago

    […] you get started, it’s really a lot easier than you think. Carly at Smaggle has come up with some tips if this is something you struggle […]

  3. […] of kitten birth could be better than my bed. For some stupid reason now that I’m grown up, I’m having trouble sleeping. Once I’m asleep, I’m fine. I could sleep for years but getting to sleep is proving to be quite […]

  4. A Time For Sleep | Better Ways 9 years ago

    […] For more tips on getting a good sleep, I love these articles from Gretchen Rubin and Smaggle. […]

  5. Tips To Fall Asleep - Kabar Bagus 8 years ago

    […] 5 Proven Tips to Help you Fall Asleep […]

  6. […] When you’re not taking care of yourself or you’ve committed to too much stuff, that’s when your memory starts to slip. If you’re tired and dehydrated, you have little to no chance of retaining information. I’ve been an advocate of water drinking for years because not only are there incredible digestive benefits, it also improves your energy and memory. Sleep is also important. I’ve written in the past about how important it is to ‘wash your brain’ every night because it stops you being rubbish at life but getting a good rinse cycle happening in your brain when you sleep will also help with your cognitive memory and concentration function. It’s all about getting good sleep and staying properly hydrated. […]

  7. […] 5 Proven Tips To Help You Fall Asleep […]

  8. […] 5 Proven Tips To Help You Fall Asleep […]

Leave a Reply