Sleep is important to your mental health. As your body lays at rest, your brain gets to work sorting through all the memories and emotions from the day. If you get healthy, high-quality sleep, you will wake up energized and focused for the day ahead.
If you are one of the millions of people who struggle to sleep at night, there may be some simple solutions for you. Here are five reasons you may not be able to fall asleep, along with treatments for each scenario.
Checking Your Phone before Bed
Do you check your phone right before bed to catch up on social media? This may seem like an innocent part of your nightly routine, but it could be keeping you awake longer than you want to be. The light that comes from your phone screen causes your brain to work vigorously, even more so than a TV screen. If you want to check your phone before bed, do so at least 30 minutes before you plan to fall asleep. This will give your mind a chance to calm down so you can get your rest.
Feeling Pressured to Fall Asleep
Do you feel like you should fall asleep immediately when your head hits the pillow? Is your schedule so busy that you stress about getting enough sleep each night? Sleep shouldn’t feel like a chore. Even if you can’t fall asleep right away, resting in bed is still beneficial. Don’t put too much pressure on yourself to fall asleep by a certain time. Let your brain and body do that work on their own.
Going to Bed at Different Times Each Night
Your body works best when you have a sleep routine. Falling asleep becomes a form of muscle memory, like brushing your teeth or riding a bike. If possible, try to go to sleep and wake up around the same time each night. If your schedule does not allow for this consistency, at least make sure you take the same steps each night before bed.
Watching or Reading Something Mentally Stimulating
There is nothing wrong with watching a show or reading a book before bed, but avoid anything that stimulates your mind. For instance, instead of watching a high-action crime show, you may watch a sitcom that only mildly holds your interest. This will give you less to think about as you lie in bed with your eyes closed, thereby allowing you to fall asleep faster.
Stressing about the Past or Future
We’ve all experienced this at some point in time. You lay down in bed, and suddenly all you can think about is a mistake you made earlier in the day. If you have a big event coming up, you may stay awake stressing about what is to come. Neither of these circumstances are helpful for your slumber.
Find something to take your mind off the stress before bed. Again, it could be a show that you’re somewhat interested in, but not enough to keep your brain going. If you need assistance with stress management or bringing closure to the past, consider talking to a therapist. Sherman Counseling offers a range of counseling services in Wisconsin, including anxiety counseling, depression counseling, couples counseling, and more. Give us a call at 920-733-2065 to get in touch with a therapist near you.
