Top Tips for Getting to Sleep

One in every three of us find it difficult to get to sleep or stay asleep. Racing thoughts or an overstimulated mind can result in us tossing and turning for what seems like hours before finally nodding off. If this sounds familiar, try these tips, which I have put together to help you calm your mind and relax your body:

1. Don't worry about it! The more we worry about not  sleeping, the less likely we are to succumb to it. Relax, tell yourself it doesn't matter. This will help keep you calm and make sleep more likely.

2. Avoid stimulants in the evening: caffeine and scrolling on your phone will stimulate your brain and stop it relaxing when you need it to.

3. Plan for tomorrow before you go to bed. Prepare everything you need for the morning; write lists of things you might forget. 

4. Relax in your bed. Do relaxation breathing: breathe in for the count of 4 and slowly out for 7. As you breathe out, let your body lie heavier and check that you're not holding any tension anywhere. This will help calm your mind.

5. Acknowledge any thoughts that come into your head and ignore them, just focus on your breathing and making yourself heavy.

I hope this helps! Keep practising!

If you're still having trouble, I am happy to offer a complete treatment programme for insomnia and sleeping problems, available both over Zoom and/or in-person in Cromer. Click here for more information. 

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