Lets Beat Insomnia...Together.

At some time or another, we all can't sleep. It is inevitable. Unfortunately, last year I had terrible sleep anxiety. It was strange- I wasn't necessarily worried about having bad dreams, or sleep paralysis or something like that. I was more scared of getting anxious about not being able to fall asleep than I was about sleep itself. I tried a lot of things to fix this. Thankfully, I've come out the other end now and sleep very well at night! Here are some sleeping tips I've gathered over the year in case you need advice on falling asleep.

1. Don't lay in your bed if you aren't sleeping Yoga

   1. This one is major. This lifestyle change really helped my sleep. Do homework in the kitchen or on campus. Watch a movie in your living room. Just do whatever you can to stay out of your bed throughout the day time. I swear by this.

2. Phone away

   1. Get used to sleeping with your phone away from you. Even if it's just on the other side of the room. Also, try to read or journal before bed so you aren't falling asleep dependent on iPad baby time each night.

3. Exercise

   1. This one is a popular one, of course. I found that on the days where I went on a run I slept the deepest. Four miles for me is the key to getting a good eight hours.

4. Cherry Juice

   1. It has natural properties in it that make you tired and it tastes so good.

5. Magnesium Powder

   1. Magnesium is so good for you! If you put magnesium into your cherry juice ("sleepy girl cocktail") I promise you'll sleep really well. It helps you to relax a lot. My roommate Sam and I would always put Magnesium in our tea at night or even in mug with just lemon and hot water. I really recommend this one.
      

6. No melatonin

   1. If you use sleep aids that alter your melatonin levels it can be hard for your body to produce it on its own! Stay away from this, you don't want to become dependent.

7. Rain sounds or Podcast

   1. When I was younger I used to listen to a podcast to fall asleep and while abroad my rommie Eva and I always played rain sounds. Sometimes a little stimulation helps clear the mind.

8. Journaling

   1. You don't even need to do this before bed but if you are someone who thinks too much when you fall asleep and stay up at night just because you have too many thoughts to manage I would recommend journaling. I just started keeping one this year and it has helped me to decluter my mind a lot.
      

9. Medicine

   1. Although there are ways to beat insomnia on your own, its okay to know when you need help! I had two prescriptions that my doctors gave me to help me sleep. I used them on an as need basis and although I didn't loveee how I felt the next day, they did help me get the rest I needed.

10. Find good friendssss

    1. my friends help me sleep at night because I laugh with them every day and I fall asleep happy knowing I get to wake up and laugh with them again tomorrowwwwww luv u guys