Benjamin Committed To A Gym Routine And Lost 245 Pounds
Does Foot Form Explain Running Injuries?
10 tips for the insomniac
Posted on Mar 12th 2008 8:20PM by Martha EdwardsI've struggled with sleep problems my whole life, and am certainly no stranger to bouts of insomnia. Not sleeping is more than a nuisance -- it can be overwhelmingly difficult to deal with, and it can impact every aspect of your life. So when it comes to sleep tips, I can assure you, I've tried them all. If you're having trouble getting your zzzs in, consider these steps:
Do you have any tips to add?
- Eat dinner a few hours before bed, and don't eat too much. It's hard to sleep when you body is digesting and your stomach is uncomfortably full. And eating a nutritious diet never hurt either.
- Don't drink caffeine after 3pm.
- Don't nap -- go for a walk instead, and go to bed a bit earlier. If you must nap, make sure you nap before 3pm.
- Get some sort of exercise every day. This was key for me -- I rarely have trouble sleeping when I work out, but when I don't, I feel like I have extra energy at bed time.
- Wind down before bed by doing something relaxing like reading.
- Make your bedroom conducive to sleep. You room should be dark and quiet.
- Don't stare at the ceiling. If you can't fall asleep after 20 minutes, do something -- read, make some tea, make a to-do list, etc.
- Think about things that occupy your mind but don't matter. When I can't sleep, counting sheep rarely works because I can't concentrate on it, but thinking of random lists often does. For instance, I'll try to remember the names of all the characters on The Facts of Life or I'll try to think of one city I've been to that starts with every letter of the alphabet.
- Drink warm milk. It sounds like an old wives tale but it actually works.
- If all else fails, take a Gravol. It's non-addictive and should make you suitably drowsy. Don't take for prolonged periods, though - it should only be used occasionally.
Do you have any tips to add?
