Your alarm clock is going to go off  in 3 hours, but you are still WIDE AWAKE!  You know that you need to be asleep, you need your rest, but for some reason, your EYES ARE WIDE OPEN! Has this ever happened to you? Perhaps it’s because you have to do something in the morning and you are anxious or excited and you just CANNOT SLEEP! Maybe you are worried or confused about some situation or life event and you are just RESTLESS!  Here are 8 ways to get some shut-eye…

1. Read a book-

   Now, don’t go for that intense, suspense that you just can’t put down, but read something that is slightly boring, or at least won’t keep your attention for long. Although, I love love love the bible, if I’ve been trying to go to sleep, God’s word alone is enough for me.  It’s probably His way of giving me rest.

2. Drink warm milk-

   I’m not sure how well this helps, but it does contain tryptophan (the amino acid best known for being in turkey), which when released into the brain produces serotonin—a serenity-boosting neurotransmitter.  It’s worth the try.

3. Count sheep-

   No, really, I mean how boring does counting sheep sound right?  A total snooze fest- this has to help at least a little bit.

4. Play some soft spa music-

   This is one of my favorite ways to get some shut-eye.  If you have ever gotten a massage and fallen asleep, it may not have just been because of the relaxing of your tense muscles as the masseuse got out every knot and kink.  That Spa Music is pure relaxation.

5. Take deep breaths-

   Speaking of relaxing, we all know that when you have an anxiety attack or need to calm down, you are told to take Deep Breaths right?  Well, if you are anxious or worried about something, taking deep breaths  should calm you down so you can get some sleep.

6. Hold on to a stuffed animal/pillow-

   Perhaps its just me, but I always loved stuffed animals as a child.  They were so comforting and just gave me a sense of security.  If you can’t sleep and don’t have a stuffed animal in your bed, um, yeah, grab a pillow.  The tight squeeze can give you comfort and ease you into a resting state.

7. Pray-

   This is really my number 1, but I like to put it as 7, the number of completion. God is greater than any of your problems and He will give you rest. Just pray and ask Him for it.  If you aren’t a believer, now is a perfect time to try Jesus. Go ahead, pray!

8. Focus on a word and keep repeating it softly-

   I remember hearing about this Years Ago, and I haven’t tried it in a while, but you go ahead and choose some random word. “Blue” is the one I chose years ago and just kept repeating softly.  You’ll get so tired of saying that word that you will doze right off.

Rest well my lovelies…