Takes me an hour to get to sleep

**sleepyperson** · 02-16-2009 11:39 PM

It normally takes my an hour or more to get to sleep. How do I get to sleep quicker?

No sleep means no dreams, sadly.

P.S. Are there any foods that can make my sleepy?

OMG! There's a cookie monster smiley!

**CrescentFox** · 02-16-2009 11:55 PM

Milk can make you sleepy.

Try doing something that makes you tired, like working out before bed, or listening to relaxing music before bed.

**ShannonHeat** · 02-17-2009 08:24 AM

Cherries have natural melotonin, and a very calming effect. They have to be fresh cherries though.

**dreamdust** · 02-17-2009 10:44 PM

bananas and turkey contain chemicals that make you sleepy. Avoid caffiene

Try going to bed a bit later as your body may be telling you its not tired yet.
If you sleep soundly once your asleep then I wouldn't worry about it too much!

**Nick89** · 02-25-2009 11:47 PM

Don't worry, mate, it is still a minor problem. I need 2-3 hours to fall asleep. I'm hardly ever asleep before 3 pm, and then the whole day is all messed up. Have tried many things, even diazepam - didn't help much...

**lucidspark64** · 03-23-2009 07:31 AM

minimal movements, no loud external noises

**BigFan** · 03-23-2009 10:04 AM

I know that feeling very well. Once I was in bed for ~4hours and I wasn't able to sleep, really pissed me off :p Anyways, the advice that the members gave is pretty good, sometimes your body isn't tired which explains why you can't sleep. Try to sleep one hour later or make yourself tired through exercise. Sometimes taking a shower really relaxes your body, at least it does in my case. Finally, from experience, if you have been sleeping pretty late(let's say 3am) for a couple of days, you'll have a hard time sleeping earlier than that, so, start sleeping at 2:30am and then after a couple of days, 2am, etc.... Eventually, you'll get back to your sleeping pattern. Good luck

**panta-rei** · 03-23-2009 05:28 PM

Yes, Tryptophan makes people tired. Found in turkey and a few other things.

A good way to get yourself sleeping is going on a run or a relaxing walk before bed.

**Richnfg** · 03-24-2009 11:52 PM

Originally Posted by Delphinus

Yes, Tryptophan makes people tired. Found in turkey and a few other things.

A good way to get yourself sleeping is going on a run or a relaxing walk before bed.

Hmmm, I might have to try this out too. It normally takes me well over 30 minutes before I drift off to sleep, would be nice to cut that time down, or use it more productively elsewhere!

**ChrisDeemian** · 03-28-2009 11:37 AM

I have/had the exact same problem. I cannot guarantee that my methods will work for me but they had a great effect on my sleep.

Checklist:

- Don't look at any screen (PC TV etc.) 1 hour before you go to sleep

- Instead do something that requires not too much heavy thinking (meditation works for me, some prefer comic books)

- Take valerian supplements before you go to sleep, it is a calming herb with no side effects, I generally use a mix called "sweet dreams" by american sports (no I am not trying to advertise)

- Avaid ANY stimutants such as cafeine alcohol and taurine (avoid chocolate too, in small doses of the pure variant it CAN help to fall asleep)

- Make sure your room temperature is not too high, take a WARM shower before going to bed, it COOLS your body

- Sleep at regular times

- From all advice you get from the people around you compose a ritual that you repeat everytime before you go to bed

In case you don't know how to meditate, just sit down, relax your body and wait for your mind to create visual images. Then just watch tmen and give NO input, just watch your mind play around. It is very calming.

I hope this helps you.

- Chris