Many people suffer from lying awake at night, counting sheep in vain, trying to fall asleep at last. So here are some helpful tips on how to fall asleep sooner.
For some, this problem occurs sometimes, but not all the time. Try to identify what is going around in your mind when this happens. There are many things that this could be – problems at work or with the kids, an important meeting or even an exciting event.
Whatever is on your mind will keep you awake, so identify what it is. Once identified, write down the most worrying points and anything else that comes to your mind. Have pen and paper beside the bed and do this exercise just before turning off the light. If you wake through the night with new thoughts, jot them down again to clear your mind. This is a simple but effective strategy to help you get to sleep sooner.
If lying awake is a chronic problem, you need a different strategy, although making notes can still be effective. You need to write down everything you do in the evenings, for a week, to identify anything that might cause you to be sleepless. Sometimes, just making one change can break the habit of lying awake.
These are some of the most common culprits for preventing sleep, besides worry: looking at your finances, watching action movies or shows, hard exercise, caffeine and alcohol. Replace these with quiet activities like gentle reading (not a thriller!), meditation, listening to calming music or a quiet game.
Create a bedtime routine for yourself that involves you calmly preparing the house and getting ready for bed. Don’t think about lying awake; replace these thoughts with a mantra of “Tonight, I will fall into a deep sleep.” When you turn out the light, lie on your back and take three deep, cleansing, calming breaths and just let your body and mind relax. Acknowledge any thoughts that come up and let them go and allow your mind to cloud over.

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