“How to get to sleep” poses a query that so few can really answer. The main reason is that the majority of the population do not think much about how they get to sleep, which is the main reason they are able to get to sleep right away. Later I will discuss why this is so. For many of us not being able to get to sleep at will poses a major problem. But going to sleep at will, ironically, is one of the hardest thing to do. Wanting to sleep intentionally and actually sleeping are two very different things. The latter is the goal, but the means of getting to sleep differ from person to person.
For 60% of the Population Getting to Sleep is Pretty Easy
I conducted a recent poll on a social media site and it turns out 30 among 50 friends who answered do not have trouble getting to sleep, while 10 answered they have occasional trouble getting to sleep, and the other 10 frequently have trouble getting to sleep. The people who experience trouble sleeping characterize being wide awake at night and not being able to sleep despite their deepest desire to do so. However, the conscious mind cannot put itself to sleep. Since the human brain works in a sort of pattern, it is still possible to induce sleep by following some methodology. There is absolutely no guarantee that the methods used in this article will be able to put yourself to sleep right away, but practicing these tried and tested measures, backed with scientific study, will most likely make your getting to sleep much more easier.
The Key is the Science of Sleep
Sleep is achieved when the conscious logical left hemisphere of the brain is in the state of unconsciousness. While in the state of unconsciousness, your brain undergoes structural changes and memory consolidation. Your body will also go into the state of self-renewal. The part of sleep where your brain is consolidating memory is called rapid-eye movement sleep(REM sleep), while the part of sleep where your body renews itself is known to be as deep wave or delta wave sleep. The need for sleep among complex living things is universal. Living organisms with mammalian/reptilian brain all go to sleep. Even fish sleep with their eyes wide open. The good thing about sleep is that it is naturally occurring. Whenever your brain feels the need to sleep, you will feel drowsy. However, when your brain senses urgency, worry, excitement, danger, and or affected by drugs, it will not go to sleep unless sedated by a powerful sedative.
How to Induce Sleep
Again, the most we can do to go to sleep is to induce your brain to go to sleep. Once you are sleepy, that is the time you can go to sleep and feel refreshed and relaxed afterwards. This explains why sedated people often wake up as if they grown even more weary or as if they have not slept at all to begin with. In order for you to induce sleep, you must remember the following: “Humans are creatures of habit”. According to experts in psychology, a new habit is formed by continually practicing something 21 days straight. And that is exactly what I advise you to do. Every night, schedule a time span wherein you allow yourself to do nothing and relax. At this time do not worry about anything. Do not worry about being unproductive, do not turn on the television, surf the web, or do anything provocative. Also, avoid any alcohol, sugar, caffeine, nicotine or any high impact exercise 4 hours before bedtime. Additionally, taking a bath 1 hour before bedtime may induce sleep. Lying down while you relax on a comfortable position can also help ease your mind and get drowsy. When your brain senses that the end of the day is approaching and there is nothing better to do but to sleep, it should be able to go to sleep unless it is under the influence of any drug.
Getting Comfortable
Getting comfortable is a crucial part of inducing sleep. Though not the number one requirement, getting comfortable is a crucial part of going to sleep. And given that more than 70% of the population are side sleepers, it would probably also help to know some information on stuff like what the best pillow for side sleepers. Fortunately there are numerous information available to us today via the world wide web. Just try not to read them an hour before bedtime just to be on the safe side.