Sometimes it can be so difficult to sleep because life stresses keep your mind alive at night. However, no matter if you have 10, 60 or 120 seconds in your hands there are a number of things that can assist you in getting into asleep state. Here in the following guide are several techniques presented for whatever length of time you might be limited to, ensuring that you can find at least one that will help you.
Falling Asleep in 10 Seconds
1. Respiratory Method
Aware breathing is one of the fastest techniques to soothe your brain. Here's how you can try this:
- Breathing in deeply through your nose for 4 counts
- Hold your breath inside for 4 counts
- Letting out slowly from the mouth takes 4 counts
- Repeat the cycle a few times. This technique reduces anxiety and your body becomes aware of its readiness to sleep.
2. Progressive Muscle Relaxation
This is a contraction and relaxation of different muscles in a matter of seconds.
- Start with your toes, contract for a few seconds and then
release
- Do it gradually up through your calf, thigh, abdomen, and up
until you feel you have relaxed the whole body
- Fast releases, it melts the tension of the body, so relax. You will even drift into sleep, almost to fall asleep.
3. Visualization
Close your eyes and think about a moment when all was
still around you is just maybe a secluded beach, peaceful forest. Focus on the
details-the sounds, smells, the feeling. That is going to flush all these
sources of tension away, tuck you in, and into sleep.
Sleep in 60 Seconds
1. The 4-7-8 Breathing Method
The 4-7-8 breathing method probably comes second to none if someone would have to nominate techniques in inducing sleep like that from Dr. Andrew Weil.
- Take slow nasal inhale for 4 seconds
- Hold it up for 7 seconds.
- Gradual mouth exhale for 8 seconds.
- It calms your nervous system which reduces stress to
sleep.
2. Word Association Game
That one technique that keeps running in the brain by making
non-sensical thoughts:
- Mental Activity: Concentrate your mind on any word-just now
an "apple".
- Suddenly relate a new word such as "elephant"
wherein your chosen word starts with its last letter.
- Continue this process with several words.
- Keep your mind busy with this simple activity to reduce
overthinking and ease into sleep.
3. Warm Milk or Herbal Tea
This can be some warm, caffeine-free beverage, such as milk
or herbal tea. This can prepare your body for sleep too. This warmth can ease
your system and signal your body that it is time to wind down. Have this about
an hour before bed for maximum effects to help you relax.
Fall Asleep in 120 Seconds
1. Mindfulness Meditation
Spend two minutes in mindfulness meditation:
- Sit or lie down comfortably.
- Close your eyes, breathe.
- Since your mind will go little wandering, take it gently
back to breathing without passing judgment on it. Mindfulness is scientifically
established that it reduces the stress level and anxiety which helps fall
asleep easily.
2. Sleep-Inducing Environment
Take couple of minutes to prepare the sleeping place:
- Dim lights or black out curtains can be applied to remove
the light altogether.
- The room should be quiet, or you can use a white noise
machine to neutralize any other background noises.
- A conducive sleeping environment is one that encourages fast
falling asleep.
- The temperatures in the room must be set cool, with
temperatures ranging between 60-67°F or 15-19°C, which is the best sleeping
range.
3. Journaling
If racing thoughts keep you awake, try jumbling down your
thoughts for two minutes:
- Write down what comes in your mind and make a to-do list for
the following day
- This helps in clearing out your head and prevents anxiety at
sleep time for forgetting tasks
- By dumping your thoughts you allow mental space to sleep.
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Consistent Sleep Routine
Although the techniques above are to help you fall asleep
soon, an adequate regular sleep pattern is one which will have healthy effects
on sleep for quite a long period of time. Here are some steps for such a
healthier sleep pattern.
1. Maintain a Regular Sleeping Schedule
Attempt to sleep and wake at close to about the same time
each day. Try to sleep and wake up even during weekends. It would help and
assure one to regulate the inner biological clock to sleep sounder and wake
fresher.
2. Limit using any screens before bedtime
Reading from phones, tablets or computers before bed disrupts
your sleep cycle since the blue light emitted from the gadgets is known to do
so. Consider it possible to switch off those screens at least 30 minutes prior
to the time you plan on sleeping to start gently calming your body down.
3. Develop a Soothing Bedtime Routine
Pre-sleep, do relaxing activities like reading, warm
bathing, or soft yoga, for example. This convinces your body that it is
sleeping time.
4. Optimize Your Sleep Environment
Your bedroom must be sleep-friendly: dark, quiet, cool. To
get better sleep achievements, blackout curtains, earplugs, or even a white
noise machine are useful.
More Techniques for High Quality Sleep
1. Herbal Remedies
Other herbal teas have been used such as chamomile, valerian
root, and passionflower to help the body relax for a good quality sleep. Some
can be taken an hour before the sleeping time as an overnight relaxation
pre-sleeping calming ritual.
2. Aromatherapy
Other oils like lavender and bergamot, for instance have
been proven to create a very calming environment that leads to sleep. One of
the advices with this additive is use of a diffuser or placing a few drops in
the pillow for soporific purposes.
3. Avoid alcohol and caffeine consumption
Even though alcohol may give you a good sleep for a while,
it is known to disrupt your pattern of sleeping at night. Caffeine will, too,
disrupt your capacity to sleep. Try to minimize intakes of these products,
particularly some hours before your bedtime.
4. Exercise Regime
Physical activities often help in improving sleep, but do
not engage yourself in strenuous activities close to nightfall since that may
energize you, making it difficult to calm down.
5. CBT-I
This means that if you discover that, you are an habitual
insomniac, then it is maybe time to go see a specialist through CBT-I. It is an
organized course aimed at handling the cognitive processes that lead to the
development of insomnia and that hence enhances sleep quality in the long run.
Finding ways to fall asleep can make a big difference
in the quality of one's life. Be it 10, 60, or 120 seconds, there are
sure-to-work techniques you can implement to usher in restful sleep. Try these
and see which one fits you best because, as with all other health practices,
good sleep habits form part of the package.
Conclusion
With practice and dedication to your sleep routine, you'll
find it easy to drift off as you leave the stresses of the day behind. You will
grow better in both physical and mental condition, more than adequately
prepared to face the hardships of the day with more energy and focus. As you
take on these techniques, you'll not only improve the quality of your sleep but
the quality of your life too.
Please book an appointment with the best Psychologist in Lahore, Karachi, Islamabad, and all major cities of Pakistan through InstaCare, or call our helpline at 03171777509 to find the verified doctor for your disease.