Tap to Read ➤

What Causes Trouble Falling Asleep

Mukta Gaikwad
More than half the adult population of the world finds it difficult to fall asleep. Most of us don't even get the adequate quality sleep that is required for the healthy functioning of the body. With a millions thoughts crisscrossing your mind, at the speed of light, sleep loses its way.
There are a lot of insomniacs looking out for the cure of sleeplessness. Since you've hit this page, counting sheep jumping over the fence, comes as naturally to you as breathing. Difficulty of falling asleep is every person's nightmare at some point of time. Here are a few ways of solving your problem for some deep dreamless sleep.

Attitude towards Sleep

Falling asleep is all about attitude. Most of us have a fixed preconceived notion that sleep isn't coming easily tonight. This thought leads us to deprive the body of sleep.
Try cuddling in your bed and get in the most comfortable position. Focus your mind on sleeping, concentrate on your inhalation and exhalation. Within 30 minutes of this, you will be sleeping like a child.

Incessant Worrying

Incessant worrying about situations at work, at home, with friends or about relationships can cause sleeplessness. An hour before you hit the sack, pen down your thoughts and feelings, in a diary.
As you vent out your bottled emotions, the mind will have its sanity back and a little space for focusing on the important task of sleep. Maintain this diary for as long as you want, so that one day you can look back and see the trivia, that gave you sleepless nights!

Sleeping Positions

Find your comfortable sleeping position, by resting on a position for a while, instead of tossing right away. Change your pillow to a soft one, if you have a hard pillow.
Whichever side you choose to sleep on, it is important that your body is in a straight alignment. If you suffer from heartburn or GERD, try sleeping on your left side, to soothe the pain.

Restlessness

Restless leg syndrome, sore leg muscles, sleep starts (random body jerks just as you are falling asleep) or periodic limb movements in sleep (PLMS) are reasons for causing sleep deficiency.
Regular physical activity, about 4 hours before bedtime, can help in lessening the jerky movements. In children, this condition maybe related to restless leg syndrome, or due to extreme tiredness. Massaging can help relax the muscles and eliminate the jerky movements in children.
Having a snoring partner in bed, discomfort or a new place, non-conducive temperature and illnesses are more reasons that can make it difficult to sleep soundly at night. Try to introduce some positive changes in your lifestyle to experience a sound slumber at night. Sweetest dreams ever!