Sleep is not only for the weak. It is for everyone since everybody needs to take some rest. In order to have the strength and the energy for the next day, adults need to sleep for seven to nine hours every night. However, not everyone can get enough shuteye. According to the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 30% or 40.6 million American adults sleep less.

Lack of sleep is linked to a lot of problems. It can increase your risk of getting diseases such as obesity, heart disease, stroke, high blood pressure and diabetes. It can also increase your hunger hormones, making you crave high-calorie foods that can result in weight gain.

Lack of sleep is also the reason behind road accidents and mental health problems.

The sleep solution

To fall asleep faster, many adults take prescription and over-the-counter sleeping pills. Although sleeping pills can help you fall asleep, it is considered as short-term cure only. They are highly addictive and when used long-term can cause side effects such as constipation, headache, drowsiness, headache, heartburn, weakness, and gas to name a few. Instead of reaching for a sleeping aid, there are other proven treatments that can help you fall asleep at night.

Try to stay awake

Rather than forcing yourself to doze off, apply a bit of reverse psychology and try to stay awake. Trying to Stay Awake longer can make you feel anxious and helps you to fall asleep.

A study conducted by researchers from the University of Glasgow showed that the group who tried to stay awake felt less anxious during bedtime and fell asleep quicker.

When you try to relax, you are constantly monitoring yourself to see if you are already ready to take a night off. However, the more you check yourself, the more you make your brain more active.

When you try to stay awake, your brain starts to slow down.

The alphabet game

Another option to help you fall asleep faster is doing exercises like the alphabet game or counting backward from 100 in fours. By doing so, you are occupying the working space of your brain, so it stops worrying or thinking about stress or anxiety.

Keep your surroundings cool

Your surrounding’s temperature plays a big role in making you feel sleepy. Maintaining a temperature between 60 to 67 degrees Fahrenheit can help you snooze. When you start lying in your bed, the temperature of your body decreases to initiate sleep. If your room is cool, it is easier to shut your eyes at night.
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