Do you have insomnia after a hectic day? Or are you amongst those who find it difficult just to fall asleep? Here are some stress fixes to help you fall asleep peacefully.
Falling asleep at the right time for the desired time comes natural and a great blessing to some. I am a late sleeper and a late riser and if there is anything exciting coming up in the next day I am done. I lay awake for hours, read, browse and chat until I can untangle my mind from the excitement and doze off.
Stress and sleep shares a great bond. If you are stressed you can’t sleep and if you lack sleep you are stressed. And to ward of the health effects of stress you need sleep!
Stress is found to be a major cause for insomnia in otherwise healthy people. Calming down is the only way to a good night’s rest for such people. If you are one of those, this article may help you a great deal in bringing back your sweet wholesome slumber.
- Analyse your stress and enlist the causes before you go to bed. Most often, the reason for your stress is a person or a happening of the day that may flash in your head as you close your eyes. It might be your boss or your mother-in-law who might hamper your slumber. So take out a paper or your personal diary to write down your problems with their possible solutions. The feeling and reassurance that you’ve got a plan to act on to bust your stress will ease your mind for good. Are you happy with less or more? Do small houses, small cars and fewer gadgets make your day?
- Is your job the right one for you? Does money or health matter? Do not allow your work to force yourself to a changed lifestyle and an unnecessary promotion at the expense of health and happiness.
- No emails at bed time. Checking work emails at bed time can snatch off your peaceful rest.The electronic devices which we admire, buy and pay for are things which actually end up working against our peace and happiness. You have to learn to use them for your betterment and not deter your way towards happiness and a good living. Limit your office work to office alone and place a check on receiving calls after 7 pm. Be free to switch off your cell phone when you are at home. And join your family for dinner and a hearty laugh at all cost.
- Partake in family activities at leisure. Spend some time with your spouse watching TV or play scrabble with your kids and even better concentrate in your favourite hobby or do some exercise after work.
- Take a nap whenever you can. Many working people avoid napping in the afternoon on weekends in fear of drowsing on week days. But modern studies show that a short siesta up to 90 mnts can be quite a relaxation. It is not impossible at work place if you can take a quick break with an alarm set for 30 mnts in your cell phone.
- Understand how you respond to stress next to the causes. Do you overeat when you are stressed out? Do you smoke extra? Once you know the cause you can plan ahead how you can handle the situation. If meeting with your boss triggers your stress points then meet him only after meditating for a few minutes.
- Avoid any situation that may be a stress inducer. There is no shame in running away something that will harm your peace of mind. If you cannot avoid talking to your co-worker whom you have identified as a stressor then have your best friend at work whenever you go to to meet him. If talking to the doctor stresses you, ask friend or a relative to talk to him for you. This way you can dilute your stress.
- Read, browse and watch for a hearty laugh every evening. The relation between laughter and good health needs no introduction.
- Surprisingly, studies show that couples who own a pet have lower rates of hypertension and heart problems than those who don’t.
- Let past bury itself. Learn to let go of old grudges, angers and duels and forgive for a good night’s sleep. Try to avoid anger at all times.
- Vigorous exercise is found to be an effective way to thwart the harmful effects of stress on body.
- No too many irons in the fire. Multitasking for long can impair your memory and cause poor performance.
- Drink a cup of hot chocolate at bed time or slip in some lavenders under your pillow. Or even better, spend some time every day, cultivating a herbal garden for relaxation.
-AparnA K V
