Insomnia. The struggle is real.
Sometimes just a random occurrence, most often hits when there is a big meeting or a plane to catch the next day! Why oh why does my body fight sleep when it needs it the most? After years of battling periodic insomnia, tossing and turning until I’m a puddle of tears, I’ve finally come up with a couple of tricks to help me catch those much needed zzzzz’s when I need them the most. When does insomnia hit it’s all time high? For me, the night before a trip. Every. Single. Time.
Here are my Top Ten Tricks To Help You Sleep The Night Before A Flight
- Tackle the list. Don’t leave that long “to do” list until the night before the flight. Have the dog settled somewhere safe, the house tidy, the alarm company notified or house sitter filled in, the passports in your purse. If your mind is at ease you have a much better chance of drifting off to la la land.
- Be prepared. Have those bags packed and at the front door.
- Turn off the screens. Screen time is the enemy! Turn off the televisions early, ban the iPhone and laptop, and hit the hay at a reasonable hour.
- Shut it down early. Go to bed early, but not too early. Usually go to bed at 11pm but have a really early flight? Don’t try and go to sleep at 8pm, you’re not a Toddler, that’s not going to work. But maybe you can trick yourself into thinking 9:30pm is a good time to hit the sack.
- Try Gravol. Yes, I’m not above a little Gravol to bring on the sleepiness.
- Set TWO alarm clocks. Peace of mind knowing you won’t sleep through your wake-up call is everything.
- Don’t Look. Turn your alarm clock so you can’t see the big red numbers. The worst thing you can do to yourself is the countdown. Ugh…I have to get up in 7 hours. 6..5…4! That countdown will keep you up all night and leave you feeling ill in the morning.
- Forget the sheep. Counting sheep is annoying. When I try to count sheep they run out of the corral, trip on each other and make way too much noise. Counting sheep does not work for me. Has that ever worked for anyone? Instead, picture your happy place with you firmly in it. Maybe on the beach? With a book and a drink. Sigh.
- Deep Breaths. Consciously slow your breathing, stretch your body starting with your toes and working all the way up to your shoulders and neck. Try and physically and mentally relax, take a few deep breaths and drift off to dream world.
- Let it go. Remind yourself that worst case scenario, if you can’t make your body sleep the night before the big trip, you just might be able to grab a nap on the plane. If not, there’s always coffee!
The next time that insomnia beast shows his ugly head, fight him with preparedness, deep breaths and a devil may care attitude. You’ve got this! Wishing you all deep sleep and sweet dreams.
To be honest when insomnia hit me I get a little help from melatonin or if I really need it ativan.
Thanks for the tips. I do find counting sheep does work sometimes, seems to turn my brain off.
Good tips. I’m lucky in that I seldom have trouble getting to sleep, often it’s when I have an early appointment the next day – I’m dreadful at hearing alarms. When I’m having trouble drifting off I relax as best I can steady my breathing and count 1 as I breathe in and 2 as I breathe out like a zombie. It works every time. 🙂
turning off the screens is a struggle here! it’s more an issue of having the t.v on while falling asleep, terrible habit since I was a teen.
I used to think about and remember the waves lapping up on the sand and what it sounded like or I’d say a number over and over because I read it was a way to relax.
I have been taking a nature root called Valerian for restless legs and sleepless nights and it’s amazing
Thanks for this helpful post!!
Some of your tips have been working really well for me !
good tips. I always have backup alarms because something always happens (I often snooze after first alarm), so that comes in handy