Insomnia = A Hidden Threat

“Early to bed and early to rise makes a man healthy, wealthy, and wise.” — Benjamin Franklin

Our teachers have always told us the above saying. Question is how many of us follow it for real especially while adulting? Most of us quarantining has been binge-watching or eating till late which has caused poor sleeping patterns. All of a sudden we have a new routine where our sleeping pattern affects tremendously.

Insomnia is the inability to sleep. It can be either not falling asleep in the usual sleeping hours or waking up in the middle of the night. If you or someone you know is facing it then this article will help to get a good night’s sleep. The causes behind insomnia can be stress and anxiety. Stressing out happens because of an external source where we give the power to control our minds. Reasons can be related either personally or professionally. In the end, it has a direct impact on mental health.

A Disney fan (like me) will relate this to the movie “Monsters Inc” where the only difference will be that these monsters are around us as hidden threats. These monsters do not allow us to sleep in the night and bring more negativity leading to overthinking. In case you have a bad dream and wake up in the middle of the night, then count 1,2,3,4,5 and then 5,4,3,2,1 to break the act of interpretation and fall back to sleep.

Research shows that if we form a good sleeping habit by the following simple ways:

1. Having a daily routine to slow down and sleep :
   • Taking a bath – warm water
   • Having a warm drink (water or milk if you can handle dairy)
   • Lowering the room lights
   • Soft sleep playlist
   • Praying and have gratitude
2. Training your mind what time to sleep and wake up.
3. Watching the caffeine content and try to cut off any consumption after 3 pm.
4. Keeping all electronics away two hours before sleeping since the blue rays affect the eyes.
5. Eating a light dinner.
6. Meditation is the best way to calm down.

We can boost our sleeping pattern by eating healthy. Several foods may help to fall asleep since they contain sleep-regulating hormones and brain chemicals, including melatonin and serotonin. These types of foods have high amounts of specific antioxidants and nutrients, such as magnesium, that are known to enhance sleep by helping you fall asleep faster or stay asleep longer. Study shows that it is recommended to consume the following food before sleeping – almonds, banana, kiwi, walnuts, white rice, milk, cottage cheese, oatmeal, passionflower tea, turkey.

Sleep is the best meditation. Hope the above tips will be useful and let me know in the comment section if there are more which you practice. Have a goodnight’s sleep!

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