Do you know a man can go three weeks without food, about a week without water and only 4-5 days without sleep before he starts hallucinating and goes insane? Sleep has such a major role in our lives. However, there are many cases of insomnia and sleeplessness in many people. Not having a good night’s sleep interrupts the daily activities from being carried out smoothly. Therefore, it is of highly important to address any kind of sleep issues you have. Here are some of the things you to hacks to try when you suffer from insomnia.
1. Cut back the caffeine and Alcohol
Coffee can be tricky. You might want to stay awake and productive during the day but coffee can have its effects for hours. So limit your coffee intake to a maximum of two cups and better to have them in the first half of the day. Also, do not withdraw from coffee abruptly, as it would cause withdrawal headaches that can disrupt your sleep. Coming to booze, although alcohol can make you sleepy at first, it would cause frequent disturbances in sleep. Therefore, it is always better to keep both coffee and alcohol at bay.
2. Shut all the screens off before bedtime
TV, laptops, tablets, and mobiles, keep everything off at least an hour before you go to bed. The blue light usually all electronic screens omit to stimulate the brain and you’d have difficulty falling asleep. Therefore, shut the idiot boxes and the smartphones off and distress. Maybe have a nice bath and relax to drift into a pleasant sleep.
3. Try CBD
If your insomnia is due to your chronic anxiety or restlessness, then you should try CBD. Cannabidiol is a relaxant and helps you to calm down. Contrary to popular belief, CBD is not the same ‘high’ weed. It isn’t psychoactive at all. It improves your sleep patterns and helps you sleep better. CBD is also recommended for anxiety and depression by many doctors and researchers. In addition to this, CBD is not addictive, unlike the prescriptive drugs like Valium which can be habit-forming and may have long-term side effects and dependency from the patient.
4. Set a routine for yourself
Wake up at the same time every day and sleep at the same time every day. Make a timetable for yourself and stick to it strictly. Do not deviate from it. By doing this, you are fixing a biological clock for yourself and it helps a lot with the sleep patterns. Also, on the days when you have trouble sleeping despite the routine, do not try and compensate with long naps in the afternoon.
5. Pay attention to your eating habits
Eat your dinner as soon as possible. This will give time for your digestive system to relax and you won’t have a disturbed sleep. Also, have a light dinner and reserve heavy foods for the daytime. Heartburn can keep you up at night when you stress your stomach by eating very spicy foods. Try and have chamomile tea before bed to calm your nerves and stomach.
6. Try a sleep supplement
Melatonin is the hormone responsible for your sleep. If you’re having trouble sleeping, you should try melatonin as it is highly acclaimed for its effectiveness. Like melatonin, there are other supplements that help you sleep better. Valerian root, Glycine and Lavender have similar effects and they will get you a good night’s sleep.
7. Find if there is an underlying medical issue
Sometimes, there is more to a sleepless night than we think there is. Sleep anxiety, sleep apnea, and chronic nightmares are usually the deeper psychological issues that may result in insomnia. It would always be wise to get a checkup done by a doctor to see if your mental health is alright.
