What do you do if you wake up in the night and can’t get back to sleep? Here’s five things you absolutely shouldn’t do if you can’t sleep!
Last night, I woke up about 4 am and couldn’t get back to sleep and in the end, I picked up my phone. I checked my email, had a quick look on Facebook and bought a skirt off Vinted before deciding enough was enough and putting it back down on my bedside cabinet.
By that point, I was more awake than I was before and I think it was after 5 before I dropped back off to sleep which means I’m super tired right now as I’m writing this. 😴
Do NOT pick up your phone
Avoid the temptation to pick up your phone because that will trick your body into thinking that it’s morning already as well as make you more alert with more to think about as you’ll have even more thoughts in your brain. When I picked my phone up this morning, I had a notification from Vinted to say someone had accepted an offer on a skirt I wanted so I bought it which only took a minute but then I was thinking about what top I’d wear with it and wondering if a new pair of boots might be in order. 😂
Don’t get up to do something
(unless it’s to have a wee – that’s allowed 😂 )
I also decided in my wisdom to get up and let the dogs out because I thought doing that would make them sleep in later so when I finally got back to sleep, they wouldn’t wake me but apparently, that’s a no-no too as it drains your energy even more and again, makes your body clock think it’s time to get up.
Don’t let yourself get frustrated that you can’t get back to sleep
I sometimes get annoyed with myself when I can’t get back to sleep but that doesn’t help at all to relax me which means I’m going to be awake longer. I’ve learned that just snuggling back down with my eyes shut just letting my mind go where it wants to works better for me and it means my mind is clear (ish) and I’m at least relaxing even if I’m not sleeping.
Don’t go make a cup of tea
And definitely don’t make a coffee! Caffeine won’t help you get back to sleep – it will actually have the opposite effect on you so it’s to be avoided at all costs before bedtime and through the night. I often see people on Instagram saying they couldn’t sleep so they got up and made a cup of tea and have to sit on my hands to not message them and say ‘NOOOOOO!’ 😂
Don’t take any sleep aids
Whether it’s an over counter remedy or something you’ve had prescribed, do not take it through the night as your body won’t have time to get it through your system in time for the morning so any benefit you get from dropping off to sleep sooner will be wiped out by how groggy you’ll feel when you wake up.
I hope you don’t have many sleepless nights but if you ever find that you can’t sleep then hopefully these tips will help you get back off to sleep sonner rather than later!
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