Unusual ways to fall asleep and traditional alternatives

2024 Author: James Gerald | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-17 14:00

In attempts to immerse themselves in the arms of Morpheus, some consider sheep, while others are helped by very exotic options, such as a glass of cherry juice or active muscle tension.

Let's try to figure out if unusual techniques work, and compare them with the advice of sleep specialists for those who are struggling with insomnia.

Original! Contrary to this: if you can't sleep, don't try.

Psychotherapist Julie Hirst advises to deceive the brain: lie with your eyes open, repeating to yourself "I will not sleep." The paradox is that as soon as you stop concentrating on the task, you relax and it becomes easier for you to fall asleep.

123RF / Tommaso Altamura

Traditionally. Experts agree with the statement that you should not force yourself to fall asleep by force. However, you do not need to lie down. Physician Holly Phillips, author of Tired of Tired, argues that it is best to get up, move to another room, and focus on relaxing and monotonous household chores. If you feel sleepy, go to bed. Several of these approaches will let you fall asleep much faster than if you stay tossed about in bed.

Original! Place a pillow under your knees to maintain the natural deflection of the lower back, relieve fatigue from the legs, relax faster and fall asleep.

Traditionally. Pillow tricks are unnecessary if you have a comfortable bed. Natalya Sverdlova, specialist at FoamLine, a developer of ready-made solutions for foam mattresses, warns: “If you toss and turn from side to side for a long time and are unable to find a comfortable sleeping position, this is a clear sign that you need a different mattress that matches the level of firmness … For example, modern foam models provide the necessary orthopedic support for the spine and comfort, with them you will forget about numb limbs, back and neck pain. In addition, they are suitable for couples with a significant difference in weight, as they isolate the movements of the partner with a larger mass."

Original! Drink cherry juice - berries are rich in melatonin, a pineal gland hormone that regulates the body's circadian rhythms and is responsible for falling asleep.

Traditionally. Pasteurized juices with a lot of sugar are not very good for your health and can make it difficult to fall asleep. Therefore, give preference to unsweetened tea with the addition of valerian, wormwood or chamomile. Warm milk with a little honey to taste also helps you fall asleep quickly.

123RF / dolgachov

Original! Smells are perceived by us subconsciously and can have a beneficial effect on the body. Some people use essential oils of orange, cedar, tangerine, cypress and myrrh to fall asleep faster: they regularly light up aroma lamps before going to bed or put sachets under the pillow.

Traditionally. If you want to connect the possibilities of aromatherapy, then choose not too bright options. Citrus fruits have an invigorating effect on many, it is better to prefer natural relaxants. Try scented cushions with dry lavender at the head of your bed or spray indoors with a spray. According to research from the University of Southampton in England, the scent of lavender improves sleep quality by 20% and helps you sink into Morpheus's arms faster.

Original! Tighten all your muscles, create the exact opposite of the relaxation needed for sleep. After a while, the body will get tired, you yourself will not notice how you fall asleep.

Traditionally. Doctors strongly recommend not neglecting activity, especially if you have a sedentary job. However, choosing the time for sports should take into account the physiology of sleep. “Physical activity before the onset of the subjective night, that is, until the release of the hormone melatonin in the body, has a beneficial effect on sleep and accelerates falling asleep. And sports after the release of the hormone (usually in the interval from 21 to 22 hours), on the contrary, interferes with falling asleep,”says Mikhail Poluektov, somnologist, associate professor at Moscow Medical University. THEM. Sechenov.

Which of the recipes for a quick bedtime to use - traditional or unusual, is up to you. You can create your own sleep ritual, or just make it a rule to think about something enjoyable at the end of the day. If, at the same time, you do not spare efforts to create a comfortable sleeping place, then there will be no need for additional tweaks.