Many people have trouble falling asleep easily - Tip Diva included. In fact, she writes most of her posts in the wee hours of the morning. But it’s important that everybody gets a decent amount of sleep per night. Doctors suggest anywhere between seven to nine hours, and not getting enough sleep may affect your health and well-being. Here are some tips on falling asleep faster: 

• Dress Comfortably - Itchy woolen pajamas may keep you warm, but they’re not going to help you sleep. Wear something that you feel comfortable in - even if that means just your birthday suit.
• Make Sure Your Bed Is Made Properly - Clear your bed of any books, clothes or anything else that’s not supposed to be in your bed. Make sure the sheets are the way you like them and everything is comfortable before you lie down. Why toss and turn in an uncomfortable bed?
• Only Use Your Bed For Bed Purposes - Sleeping and sex. Those are it. Do not use your bed for reading, crochetting, cutting your toenails or watching TV. Train yourself that a bed is for sleeping, not for (most) activities.
• Avoid Caffeine - Don’t drink a nice hot cup of coffee or a glass of Mountain Dew and expect to immediately fall asleep. The Mayo Clinic suggests that caffeine can keep you from falling asleep, shortening the length of time you sleep, increases the number of times you wake up during the night and can interfere with deep sleep. According to a CNN article, which contains this information and more, “avoid caffeinated beverages eight hours before your desired bedtime. Your body doesn’t store caffeine, but it does take many hours for it to eliminate the stimulant and its effects.”
• Avoid Stimuli - Like caffeine, stimuli such as watching TV and hopping on the computer before bed may affect your sleep.
• Avoid Naps During The Day - If you nap during the day and have trouble sleeping at night, try to limit or even avoid naps during the day. If this is a problem for you, see your doctor.
• Create “Wind-Down” Time - Half an hour before you go to bed, take the time to wind down from your hectic day. Take a nice hot bath, read a book (but not in bed) and drink a cup of hot tea. This is helpful in preparing both your mind and body before bed.
• Take A Walk - This is another method of winding down, but it may tire you enough to the point you’re ready to fall asleep.
• Write Down Your Worries - If you have concerns on mind, or even racing thoughts, put them all down on paper and note how you are going to tackle the concerns tomorrow. This may help get the worries off your mind and allow you to sleep better. Or, you can always try worry dolls.
• Talk To Your Doctor - If you still have trouble going to sleep, talk to your doctor. He or she may be able to pinpoint and underlying factor and respond with the correct treatment, such as medicine.

What are your best tips for getting to sleep?

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