Tossing and turning, laying awake at night and constantly struggling to get to sleep can not only be hard on your mind, it can take a toll on your body. There may be a myriad of reasons why you can't get to sleep at night, but no matter the reason, your body needs to rest.
Relax Before Bedtime
According to the Mayo Clinic, trying to go to sleep when you're not yet tired may actually make it harder to fall asleep. Doing certain things before bedtime to help your mind and body relax will make it easier for you to fall asleep. Instead of doing activities that stimulate your brain before bed, such as watching TV or video games, take a bath or listen to soft music while you relax. This will help clear your mind and allow your body and mind to calm down and you will feel less wide awake when you climb into bed.
Establish a Routine
Our bodies like routines. Establishing a routine before bedtime will help your body become accustomed to going to bed after performing certain activities at roughly the same time every night. Brush your teeth, get on your pajamas and read a book in bed or other similar activities every night. Your mind will get accustomed to the routine and prepare itself for sleep each time you start your routine at night. The time you go to bed may change from night to night depending on what you have going on, but a routine will help your body and mind know it's time to go to bed.
Avoid Caffeine
According to the National Institutes of Health, stimulants like caffeine, especially when taken late at night, can prevent you from getting to sleep because they target the central nervous system, which includes the brain. Caffeine stays in your system for several hours and can also increase your heart rate, making it harder for your body to relax enough to allow you to fall asleep. Avoid consuming caffeine and other stimulants at least several hours before you plan on going to sleep.
Medication
If all else fails, there are over-the-counter and prescription medicines that can help you sleep at night. According to the Mayo Clinic, over-the-counter medicines contain antihistamines, which induce drowsiness and may help you fall asleep. Prescription medicines are effective but may cause side effects such as excessive drowsiness during the day and even drug dependence. Doctors usually will recommend only using prescription medicine for a few weeks at a time. If the patient still has trouble getting to sleep, many times there is another underlying reason, according to the Mayo Clinic, and the doctor will want to run tests to see what is causing the insomnia.
