Sleep Help

Sleep is one of the most important health parts of our lives, yet all of us struggle with it from time to time. Studies show that health is directly related to not only how much sleep you get but the quality of that sleep (see Link).

Without adequate REM sleep we can not get on a healthy path.

Children can fall asleep with such a peaceful relaxation that adults often can not achieve.

The reason is obvious in that their stress environment can easily be forgotten whereas adults minds will often take that "down" time and run through every issue addressed during the day.
So how do we sleep like a child again?

There is no silver bullet answer for everyone in solving the "how to get to sleep" problem. But a few Sleep tricks you might try may be your answer.

The mind is a muscle designed to solve problems. The subconscious is always working trying to solve those problems. It plays in the background of the conscious mind getting through everyday tasks. As soon as we stop the everyday input the subconscious leaps out in the forefront of our thoughts.

Down time: you have taught your mind that it get's to bring that information forward when your head hits the pillow. That is going to have to change. Turn off the television and shut down the lap top. Stop and create a down time for your brain to process the day while sitting in a chair at the end of the day. Let the subconscious go through all the issues it has been dealing with in the background. Take a writing tablet, and as you relax, write down the issues and address them with what you will do with them later in the week. This helps the mind do what it is designed to do and complete the process and removes the stress of the day.

Ritual: The brain loves programming which means a ritual that ends the program with sleep will trigger the elements the brain recognizes and full fills. Brushing your teeth, showering, all should be the same routine whether you are home or traveling.

Distraction: Reading a chapter in a book just before you go to bed helps the brain with new input that it can digest while the rest of your body shuts down. Sound machines re-creating waves or even static on the radio also is a trigger that distracts the mind and can help it shut down.

REM starter: If you have a good imagination, a very good trick is to create a story in your own mind. It can be about yourself traveling, hunting, fishing, something you enjoy. Imagine yourself in the story to the point that you are seeing those elements (like a dream state). This triggers the REM element of your mind and if you can do it will put you to sleep within minutes and you will enter into true REM very quickly.

Uninterrupted: It is vital that once you are starting to fall asleep there is no element to wake you such as a spouse coming to bed later. If that may be the case, stay awake until they are in bed or the interruption time is passed.

Links to sleep help for children

Links to sleep help for adults