Having trouble sleeping? Sick of staring at the ceiling for hours on end with stupid thoughts that won’t leave your mind and body get the rest it needs, with continuous negative racing thoughts?
It’s insomnia and natural on occasion but affects many people and daily lives as you can’t live a normal life with regular sleeping hours. In between 7-9 hours is what is considered a regular sleeping pattern. Sleeping problems is the brain just overworking and normally anxiety and stress than can get worse and lead into depression. Most people have this more often than we think and although it is a mental state, the word mental puts fear into people. We should not fear it as we all have a mental state.
Personally I have found that besides diazepam, most prescribed drugs just induce sleep, not prolong it and over the counter ones are the same. Also they weaken over time as your body becomes tolerable to them. Dependency can happen too, you feel you need them, or you think you do.
The usual things to avoid are caffeine, alcohol and nicotine, also having naps or energy drinks throughout the day. Other things that can stop you getting your forty winks are TV and technology.
Apparently if you use the toilet or leave a light on at night, use a red bulb as your brain is more sensitive to bright light. If you are prone to snacking, try chicken, turkey, bananas, warm milk or cherry juice. Avoid chocolate or spicy foods. Also if your bedroom is chaotic, try to keep it in order as that’s the last thing you see. Use your bedroom for what it’s for. Try sticking to a scheduled sleeping time your body eventually gets used to it. Some people claim meditating and exercise help, others lavender sprayed on pillows. Personally what I do is have no clock in the bedroom and I often get up for a while and go outside of the room. None of these tips are proven but try what your preference is and maybe some of them will improve your sleeping pattern, has to be better than counting sheep.
Alternatively radio four on low usually does the trick!
Good luck.