Trouble Falling Asleep? Try These Tips to Get Some Shut Eye!

For a while I suffered from severe insomnia. I was tossing and turning for hours, either sticking to the sheets or rolling around beneath them trying to find my portal to the next dimension: sleep. I have tried many remedies to include sleeping pills and sleep aids. Although I was falling asleep with some of those items, I didn't like feeling dependent upon a pill to knock me out. My lifestyle was what really needed to be adjusted, so along with altering my diet and regulating my sleep schedule, here are a few tips I utilize to help coax myself towards slumberville.

Hot herbal tea. One of my favorite teas to cradle before bedtime is, well, "Bedtime" by Yogi. The herbs contained in the tea mixture include valerian and organic chamomile, which help ease nervousness or restlessness. St. John's Wort helps boost positive mood. The flavors are warm and soothing. It's like calming your erratic emotions down and tucking them into bed, so you can relax and get some sleep too!

Meditation. This is something new for me, but from what I have been practicing, it has worked quite well. At first I was a little skeptical and found it difficult to truly allow myself to meditate deeply, but once I did - it was (as my mother once described it) like "taking a warm nerve bath." Now doesn't that sound appealing? I use auditory aid when meditating, although you can simply read techniques and practice however seems fit for you. The guide I use is located here Awakening Kundalini, although I downloaded mine off iTunes. This will help you not only with regaining internal balance so that you can rest more peacefully, but it will help regenerate your entire being from within.

Taking a bath. Aside from taking a nerve bath, why not take an actual bath? This is probably my favorite pre-bed activity. I cut off the lights, spark up a few candles, put in some lavender bath salts or bubbles and sink in. Aromatically it releases tension with the continued inhalation of calming scents, the heat releases tension from muscles, and as the body sweats toxins release from the body. I have heard that for some people, taking a bath actually stimulates them - if this is the case for you, then obviously, skip the bath.

Environment. Where you are sleeping is essential. You need to have a place that you consider peaceful, relaxing, and comfortable. Somewhere you can retreat to when it is your bed time. Don't sit at your desk waiting for exhaustion to kick in...have somewhere to go that will signal to your body it is time to sleep. More things to keep in mind as you crawl into your nest should include keeping the television and computers off or away from you. Do not watch TV and don't get on the computer! Too much stimulation will keep your brain awake and not let you register any signs of sleepiness until it's far past a good time to rest. How about the basics - do you have a sound machine or a fan you can turn on? I prefer white noise (a fan at my bedside) to help drown out any stray racing thoughts. The cool breeze it creates also helps ease me into a more comfortable, relaxed place. Speaking of comfortable, is your BED comfortable? Make the investment in a decent mattress if you can. If that's not possible, get a mattress topper. I recommend EggCrate for soft support, or a feather and down topper for dreamy, sunken snoozing.

Sleep can be difficult to attain, even though it is greatly desired. Encourage your body to sleep by maintaining a healthy diet and try to regulate when and where you are sleeping. Sometimes this is not probable for people who travel often or have peculiar work hours. If that is the case, finding a way to transition your body into a state of relaxation is key. Easing your restlessness and busy mind with meditation or herbs may help you influence your body back toward a more relaxed state so that you may sleep.