The Struggle of Insomnia
About 20% of people wake up in the middle of the night, then struggle to get back to sleep. This type of insomnia can be stressful, not to mention exhausting.
Keep reading for tips to help you quickly doze off — and steps you can take to keep these mid-sleep awakenings from happening in the first place.
Forget About the Time
As you toss and turn in the middle of the night, it’s tempting to peek at your clock. But each time you do, you’ll worry how much sleep you’ve lost and only add to your stress.
That can make it even harder for you to relax and get back to sleep. Turn your clock toward the wall, put your watch in a drawer, and resist the urge to check the time on your phone.
Stay Away From Screens
The blue light from any screen, whether a tablet, phone, or laptop, signals to your brain that it’s time to wake up.
Keep devices out of reach when you wake up in the middle of the night. And while you’re at it, turn off all your screens an hour before bedtime, too.
Move to Another Room
If you’ve been awake for 20 minutes or longer, you may want to get up and out of bed. Without turning on any bright lights, move to a different room.
Don’t turn on the TV. Instead, do something peaceful and calming. You could take a few deep breaths or read a book. (Just don’t choose a real page-turner!)
If you wait until you feel sleepy to go back to bed, you may find it easier to drift off …
