At our Parksville Mattress Store locations in Parksville and Nanaimo, we meet a lot of people in search of a good night’s sleep. Restless nights can be agonizing and sometimes it seems like the harder you try to fall asleep, the further away sleep gets.

There are many reasons that people can’t fall asleep quickly, from stress to travel to shift work, or it’s too hot or too cold, or the neighbours are noisy. The list goes on.

Tricking the mind to fall asleep can be, well, tricky—we’ve all had those nights filled with worry or excitement that keep us awake, when we can’t get our mind’s to turn off. But even for those who regularly suffer from insomnia, there is hope. Being able to fall asleep quickly is an invaluable tool and there are many things you can do to make the process easier. After talking to customers and doing some research of our own, we’ve come up with a few ideas that you can try at home that might help you get to sleep quickly.

One of the most important elements to falling asleep quickly is making sure that the body and mind can reach a state of calm and relaxation. This means making sure you have a comfortable environment that is dark and quiet (though many people are attuned to background noise and need a gentle hum to fall asleep). Power down any and all glowing screens and block out as much light as possible. If too much light is still slipping in, consider investing in a high quality sleep mask.

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To calm your mind and put yourself at ease, you might want to try getting back to nature by using herbs or essential oils. You can trying brewing yourself a cup of herbal tea before bed, the warmth will be soothing and certain herbs like chamomile, lemon balm, lavender and St. John’s Wort are associated with falling sleep. Whether it’s scientifically proven or not, even the act of brewing a cup of tea can act as a nightly ritual, preparing your body for bedtime.

Essential oils and aromatherapy also work wonders for some people. You can dab neroli, orange, lavender or a blend of oils on your temples or use a diffuser in your bedroom. The oils work on your central nervous system and allow your brain to release chemicals in your brain that will help you fall asleep.

Others find that focusing the brain on the body helps with drifting off to dreamland, when the restless mind is able to forget what it’s worried about, it will be much easier to fall asleep. One trick people use is to count in time with their breathing by either counting each breath or counting out a rhythm to inhales and exhales. Another way to focus the mind on the body is by conscious relaxation, taking your mind on a trip over your body, stopping on each part of your body and getting it to relax. For example, start with your toes and work your way along your feet, up your ankles and so on. With this much concentrated effort on your body and away from your troubles and worries, is sure to send you off without a hitch.

Of course, one of the most important things in dozing off quickly and getting a good night’s sleep is seeking slumber on a high quality mattress. Consider investing in a mattress that suits you, so that your body has the proper support and room it needs to rest well. We’re passionate about helping people find the mattress that is right for them at either of our Parksville Mattress Stores in Parksville or Nanaimo.

We hope that you are on your way to finding a good night’s rest soon.