There are many teens that cannot sleep well at night, no matter hard they try. Reasons for this can vary and include rapidly changing bodies, bad daily habits, busy schedules and worries. Over time, the lack of sleep can affect a student’s concentration, studies, and work, and lead to more serious problems. Insomnia can be a killer when you’ve got something important to do in the morning! So, we wanted to share with you some tips for beating insomnia.
- Create a routine.We know how hard it can be to function on a regular sleep schedule when you’ve got irregular hours, but try your best. Even on days when you can sleep in, try to go to bed and wake up at around the same time. Creating a routine helps your body learn when it’s time to rest.
- Limit your caffeine consumption. Or at least plan your caffeine consumption strategically. It’s best to consume your caffeinated indulgences (coffee, soda, or chocolate) early in the day, before 2 p.m. By slashing your caffeine intake and sticking to an earlier schedule, you might see a huge impact on your sleep schedule.
- Get some exercise. Even just going for a walk later in the day can help relieve some of the stress and tension you’ve built up. Try to get in some exercise after classes or work, but before you eat dinner or start your homework. You’ll feel refreshed and rejuvenated.
- Ditch your electronics. Teenagers often stay up until the wee hours of the morning texting or chatting with their friends. Try your best not to bring your laptop or phone into bed with you. Instead, read a book or listen to some relaxing music. As fun as they are to use, our electronics are distracting and create extra stress when we’re trying to decompress. Put them away.
- Release your worries. Insomnia is often caused by worry, especially when it comes before a big day. Let go of your worries by taking some time to work through them. Call someone and talk about your concerns, or get out a piece of paper and write about them. Once you’ve done this, you can relax a little bit more.Short naps can help make up for lost time when you’ve battled insomnia, but it’s best to try and eliminate the problem altogether. Do you ever have trouble falling asleep? How do you find ways to relax and de-stress?
