Most people don’t need any help relaxing or falling asleep. You know people like this, they sit down in a chair for a few minutes of downtime and are snoring almost instantly. They are asleep the moment their head hits the pillow. They sit next to a stranger on an airplane and lean their head on that person’s shoulder without realizing it. They will happily sleep the entire flight while the person attached to the shoulder is left with awkward discomfort throughout the flight. I am not talking about narcoleptics. I’m just talking about people who have the superpower of instant sleep and relaxation at will.
If you have trouble winding down after a hard day, you either respect, envy, or hate those people. How dare they be able to relax without effort? It doesn’t seem fair. And it isn’t. Neither is life. That said, it isn’t hopeless. There are a number of interesting methods people use to help them relax. Let go of the idea that most of them cannot be scientifically proven to work. The only thing that matters is that people all over the world are getting relief by using these methods. It doesn’t matter if the effect is all in their heads. Who cares? They are relaxed and you aren’t. If you are ready to try something different, here are a few tips to consider:
CBD
There are doctors who recommend CBD for sleep to patients who don’t respond to more traditional methods. Not everyone is going to get results from blasting melatonin. An alcoholic nightcap is not everyone’s cup of tea. And warm milk just gives you milk belly. No thanks. What you need is not more of the same. You need something you haven’t tried a million times.
It is important that you know where CBD and hemp products are legal. Follow your local laws. You should also follow your doctor’s recommendations. Let your doctor know that you are planning to try CBD for sleep. Your doctor will know about possible drug interactions. Not all pharmaceuticals mix well with others. Some drug interactions are not a big deal. Others can be a matter of life and death. So if you are taking CBD as medicine, treat it like you would any other medicine. Safety is the top priority.
Aromatherapy
Not everyone is going to respond to aromatherapy the same way. If you have a nose for wine, you might have more refined olfactory senses. There is a good chance that you will see some benefit as opposed to the person that only smells an interesting fragrance. You should know that it is not all about the sense of smell, the name notwithstanding. It is about the healing properties of the essential oils used in aromatherapy. Some of those properties are directly related to sleep and relaxation.
Have you tried bergamot? This one is known for relieving stress and tension. It can work on the root cause of your restlessness. Stress is one of the main causes of insomnia. If you have panic attacks, try Vetiver. In these situations, it is important to calm your nervous system. Of course, if you are having panic attacks, you should be under a doctor’s care. Be sure that none of the essential oils you plan to use will have unwanted side effects or drug interactions.
Listen to Audio Books
It might take you a while to get through an audiobook if you are constantly falling asleep on it. But in this context, that’s the whole point. Many people claim that audiobooks have a somnolent effect. The great thing about this method is that if it doesn’t work, you will at least get the benefit of reading more books. If you fall asleep while watching TV, put a TV in the bedroom and enjoy a good night’s sleep. It really doesn’t matter what media you prefer. It is about what works for you.
This is not about the science, or the denial of science. It is about what works for you. Before you try CBD, aromatherapy, or sleepy time reading, you will likely have tried more traditional methods that didn’t work. Just be sure to talk to your doctor before using a chemical that could have adverse reactions, especially if you have preexisting conditions that could be affected.