10 Ways To Fall Asleep More Easily (PHOTOS) (POLL)

For people who have trouble falling asleep, bedtime is the start of the most stressful part of the day. Instead of tossing and turning, try some of our suggestions to help you rock yourself to sleep. Some are not new, but are so often forgotten. Consider this your reminder.

Do Breathing Exercises

Since ancient times, breathing techniques have been used to calm and balance the mind and body. Make sure to use diaphragmatic breathing, for which you allow air to expand your belly, rather than breathing shallowly into your chest alone. Dr. Andrew Weil's CD, "Breathing: The Master Key To Self Healing," can help you establish healthier breathing habits.

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Comments

[TazoWolf]

10:12 PM on 08/07/2009

I have one that worked last night... Kick the cat out of the bedroom. Pilgrim kept pouncing on my bed and letting out a meow at me, keeping me from sleeping. Rhumbah was good, though. Her purrs always help me sleep..

[FROGi]

03:06 AM on 08/07/2009

11. Counting Sheep

[FarawaySouth]

10:40 AM on 08/06/2009

If this stuff works for you then you don't have sleep issues.
I have struggled with sleep since I was a child. I can cycle for 3 hours, not drink coffee or alcohol, read a book, have sex and then go to bed and still be awake at 2am. I tried most of these recommendations.
The thing that worked eventually was sleeping pills. I only take them for two or three nights in a row and get a pattern established. That the works for weeks or months. I take about 24 tablets a year(very cautious with addiction issues) and I've had better sleep in the last 4 years than I've ever had.

[tck29]

03:03 PM on 08/06/2009

Smoke weed. It's much safer than pills.

[FarawaySouth]

05:53 AM on 08/06/2009

Anyone who successfully uses these soft techniques does not have an insomnia problem.

The thing that ultimately worked for me was pills. I use them only occasionally, 12 tablets a year or so, to establish a regular pattern. Then I'm ok for a few weeks or months. Without them I can go for a three hour bike ride, avoid coffee and alcohol, read quietly, have sex and still be wide awake at 2am.

I avoided the medication route for years. But after I turned 40, having struggled to sleep since I was a child, I decided I needed to give it a try. 5 years on its still working and if anything I need them less often.

[truthkills09]

11:22 PM on 08/05/2009

Get high....make fun of Obama and Libs.....good night

[KIMBER]

08:28 PM on 08/05/2009

A hot shower, a melatonin tablet, a cup of bedtime tea and an eye mask - boom boom, out go the lights.

[KOisGod]

06:24 PM on 08/05/2009

Some wine, a great partner, an hour of animal s...e...x, & bingo!

[BlueMrsKitty]

04:39 PM on 08/05/2009

I concentrate on my heartbeat--works like a charm!

[Aron Cohen]

02:21 AM on 08/05/2009

Binaural beats, whether or not they work as some would claim, work well for me.

[PfromNC]

11:05 PM on 08/04/2009

Aromatherapy works also. Dedicate a lined dresser drawer for pajamas and a lumbar pillow with fresh scents of lavender. Rotate the contents as well as the lavendar on a regular basis. Restful sleep will be yours.
Good night!

[rf dude]

10:12 PM on 08/04/2009

Booze and drugs...
--

[for-real]

04:20 AM on 08/05/2009

work hard and make love

[rf dude]

11:21 AM on 08/05/2009

Meetcha half way - booze OR drugs...
--

[Dianekkdi]

06:38 PM on 08/04/2009

Just work to exhaustion - sleep is no problem.

[Vajara]

05:43 PM on 08/04/2009

I teach our injured soldiers to observe their breathing during a progressive relaxation experience daily and this works well with some great music such as Carolyn Myss's, Chakra Meditation. Also, giving and receiving a foot and hand massage is wonderful in supporting sleep, health and relationships. Definitely, we should introduce couples and others to safe, skilful and nourishing touch as introduced on my website: http://jerryvest.pages.qpg.com

[Vajara]

10:07 AM on 08/23/2009

This past week, 2 of my soldiers said that they have had the best sleep they've had in months by listening to the Holysynch Solution that I have been playing during our progressive relaxation at the end of each day. These relaxing sounds introduced on these videos are so beneficial that they transcend the thoughts and chatter of the mind. Sleep is such an important issues for those suffering from war PTSD and TBI. We know that when the mind is over active, therapy and many other interventions are not very effective. Also, so many of our soldiers return from these long tours in Iraq and Afghanistan with Sleep Apnia which keeps them off balance and often very angry and depressed. Do visit my websites, blogs and forum where I introduce the various approaches that we use to support our wounded warriors and others suffering from stress, anxiety and depression.

[AmandaBC]

05:08 PM on 08/04/2009

None of the above comes even close to what good s.ex can do for your sleep.

[dteg]

05:13 PM on 08/04/2009

The only two kinds I know are Good and Great.

[AmandaBC]

05:27 PM on 08/04/2009

Let me guess, you're a guy...
For most women it's: OMG I must have been really drunk!, really bad, bad, acceptable, good, nice, great.

But then again, we're far more complex animals...

:)

[CR46]

10:30 PM on 08/04/2009

Sex is like pizza ....even when it's just okay its still really good :)
Thats my fav way , when I have trouble falling asleep and my husband never minds if I wake him up :)

[makdi]

05:01 PM on 08/04/2009

deep yoga style breathing — you'll be asleep before you can count 20 deep breaths from your diaphragm

sleeping on one side, fetus position, with a small pillow between your legs helps

a good intense jerk will usually do the trick if all else fails

[KOisGod]

06:26 PM on 08/05/2009

"a good intense jerk" ?

How did you know of my ex-wife? she wasn't really that good, but the jerk part, yeah