5 Things to Do to Help You Sleep Better (and 3 Things to Avoid)

I was recently commissioned by Bathing Solutions to give my thoughts on the following topic … how to get a better night’s sleep. As regular readers of my blog will know, I’m a bit of a night owl and I regularly have trouble sleeping.

Admittedly, some of this is down to the fact that I often work late, but there are many nights where I have laid awake staring at the ceiling for a few hours before finally giving up and reading a book or putting Netflix on.

5 Things to Try to Help You Get to Sleep Quicker

Below I’m sharing some of the things I have tried to get to sleep earlier that I have found work for me.

Switch Off from Your Devices

Easier said than done for a blogger right? I know when I’m laid in bed feeling too awake to sleep, I tend to start thinking “but I could be using this time to pin or comment on IG photos or chat on Twitter”, but doing this only keeps your mind active and stops you from falling sleep easily.

Go to Bed at The Same Time and Stick to A Routine

Sticking to a routine and the same bedtime can help to get your mind fixed on the notion that it’s time to sleep. My routine tends to be turning my laptop off around 2am (I know that’s still pretty late, but it’s early for me) and reading one chapter of a book. I stick to easy reading fiction that doesn’t require a lot of mental focus and by the time I finish the chapter, I’m in the right frame of mind to try to get to sleep. If you still find that you need extra help drifting off but don’t want to take sleeping pills, adding natural terpenes to your bedtime routine can help too.

Take a Relaxing Hot Bath

While showers are great for energising you first thing on a morning, baths are great for relaxing you and getting you in the mood to chill out and fall asleep. Use a relaxing bubble bath or essential oil like lavender and lay back and relax. Light some candles if they help to relax you, but don’t forget to blow them out before you leave the bathroom.

Drink a Warm, Decaff Drink

Fruit or herbal teas work well, as does warm milk. The hot drink will soothe you and relax you without the added stimulant of the caffeine. You could even consider brewing some kratom tea from powder, the most common form of kratom.

Meditation

While meditation isn’t everyone’s thing, listening to a soothing, guided meditation can definitely help to relax your body and clear your mind, leaving you more receptive to falling asleep.

3 Things to Avoid Before Bed

There are the obvious things such as caffeine, screen time etc. but there are also other things you can avoid to help you get into the mood for sleep time.

Alcohol

While the effects of alcohol can make you drowsy, resorting to drinking every night to help you fall asleep won’t do your body any favours in the long run.

Too Much Water

While a small hot drink can help to relax you, drinking too much water right before bed will cause a full bladder – something that is detrimental to sleeping.

Heavy Meals

Try not to eat more than a light, healthy snack less than four hours before you plan on trying to sleep. Feeling full and/or bloated won’t put you in a restful frame of mind.

Bathing Solutions have also put together some handy tips to help you get a good night’s sleep, which you can read here.

Do you ever suffer from sleepless nights? What’s your go-to solution? Let me know in the comments.

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Disclaimer: This post is aimed at people who have short term trouble sleeping and are looking for some at home remedies. If you suffer from long term insomnia or you feel like your physical or mental health is suffering as a result of sleep deprivation, you should consult with your doctor and follow their advice.