Tips on falling asleep faster?

For as long as I can remember it takes me quite awhile to fall asleep every time I'm awake. First time falling asleep can take about an hour and a half before I fall asleep, maybe longer. Then during waking in the middle of the night it can take me another half hour or full hour to fall asleep again. I'm trying to do SSILD but I feel like the effects that it's supposed to give me wear off because of the time it takes me to fall asleep. Anybody got some advice or techniques that could put me to sleep faster?

I've tried SSILD and for me is no good (as for WILD). I have lost several hours of sleep because of this. I use B-MILD, which is basically MILD but synchronized with your breathing. This helps me sleep faster. But this is just me. Everyone has different experience. One can sleep faster using SSILD. The bad ones for are SSILD and WILD. The best ones are MILD and B-MILD.

The previous post i only talked about the techniques. Of course, apart from that, reading a book is a good way to sleep faster.

You just need to fall asleep fast? Or do you need to fall asleep while doing mantra's etc?

Knife wrote: You just need to fall asleep fast? Or do you need to fall asleep while doing mantra's etc?

Just fall asleep fast.

Highlander wrote: I've tried SSILD and for me is no good (as for WILD). I have lost several hours of sleep because of this. I use B-MILD, which is basically MILD but synchronized with your breathing. This helps me sleep faster. But this is just me. Everyone has different experience. One can sleep faster using SSILD. The bad ones for are SSILD and WILD. The best ones are MILD and B-MILD.

I just tried it last night and it seems to make me a little sleepy and got me some vivid dreams. So I guess I'll see where it gets me.

Guitar48300 wrote:

Knife wrote:You just need to fall asleep fast? Or do you need to fall asleep while doing mantra's etc?

Just fall asleep fast.

Masturbate.

Drink red wine x

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Do a good exercise session several hours before you go to bed or even during the day can help.

Have your room completely dark (digital light things eg clocks can keep some awake for longer)

Ive also found that when I was going to bed with an electric blanket on affected my ability to go to sleep.. made my insomia much worst. So if you have an electric blanket.. try making sure its off before you climb into bed

Listen to the sound of rain :-*

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Silent lyrical music help for me. It's great to have TV on your bedroom too... Usually it takes about 2 hours for me to fall asleep but with music or TV I usually fall asleep much faster :)

Getting a permanent mantra has been helpful for me.

What I mean by "permanent mantra" is one you just use all the time, for whatever reason. I started thinking "and (inhale)...I'm dreaming (exhale)" while falling alseep like a year ago. And I just started using whenever. When meditating, falling asleep, inducing concentration, calming down.

Maybe just starting to use a mantra all the time, until your subconscious is always whispering it. Something short and simple like "I'm relaxed" maybe.

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deschainXIX wrote: Getting a permanent mantra has been helpful for me.

What I mean by "permanent mantra" is one you just use all the time, for whatever reason. I started thinking "and (inhale)...I'm dreaming (exhale)" while falling alseep like a year ago. And I just started using whenever. When meditating, falling asleep, inducing concentration, calming down.

Maybe just starting to use a mantra all the time, until your subconscious is always whispering it. Something short and simple like "I'm relaxed" maybe.

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That's actually what ive been doing for the past few months and it's been great. In fact based on the dreams I've had, I feel like I'm closer to mastering lucid dreaming more than ever because of it.

It takes me approximately 1.6415926 hours to fall asleep, and that's very annoying, especially in the summer when the sun rises early. It means I have to go to sleep at like 8:45 or be sleep-deprived. I am going to try these techniques though. :)

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Jackson wrote: It takes me approximately 1.6415926 hours to fall asleep, and that's very annoying, especially in the summer when the sun rises early. It means I have to go to sleep at like 8:45 or be sleep-deprived. I am going to try these techniques though. :)

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Have you thought about getting a dark sheet to put over your window? That's what I have. I also tack the side to make sure it doesn't leak any sunlight.

Guitar48300 wrote:

Jackson wrote:It takes me approximately 1.6415926 hours to fall asleep, and that's very annoying, especially in the summer when the sun rises early. It means I have to go to sleep at like 8:45 or be sleep-deprived. I am going to try these techniques though. :)

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Have you thought about getting a dark sheet to put over your window? That's what I have. I also tack the side to make sure it doesn't leak any sunlight.

I haven't done that but I will try, because it really would help if I didn't have to get before the sun rises, so thanks :D Also what the heck did I post with :lol:

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I usually try to visualize my body shutting down for sleep. Start with your feet, relax them, get them comfortable, let them sit for a few mins, then your ankle , then your calf muscles, then thigh, stomach, chest, hands, forearms, shoulders, neck, and finally your head. I flex mine and then let them rest, so I know what muscles I'm accessing, and to relax it. It usually takes me about 10 mins or so to fall asleep, doesn't help that the wife sleeps diagonal and leaves me with 1/2 a foot to sleep on lol

Try listening to white noise. There are many apps available that have white noise.

For asleep faster, here are some ways:-

1. Exercise during the day time.
2. Try to avoid some beverages that interfere such as caffeine.
3. Try to avoid naps in the day time, as it makes difficult to fall asleep. 4.Take light dinner, heavy meals may be difficult to digest.
4. Start your bed time routine at the same time each day and maintain a regular sleep time.
5. take a warm bath before bed time.

As i had already discuss about the sleeping tips that just to focus on few things such as affirm, breath and intention.

well. do work out and take the 5htp it may helps. http://www.best-dietary-supplements.com/5-htp-3

I've found that attempting to lucid dream has INCREASED how long it takes me to fall asleep (by a factor of 3 or more!), and even has led to weeks of and/or intermittent sleepless nights (insomnia). And even more depressing is that I haven't even gotten to any lucid dreams to show for my efforts and suffering.

I find that merely being in the frame of mind to be receptive to LD makes me too expectant, anxious and vigilant, and this keeps me awake longer. You can't blame me for "not trying had enough" because MORE effort would just seem to make things worse for me. So now I just try things once every few weeks or so (with no luck) when I feel I've been back on the track to somewhat decent sleep.

A year ago I fell asleep fast, slept great and throughout the night. And I was "bored" thinking I should be having lucid dreams or at least more interesting epic or vivid ones like I used to. NOW I just wish I could return to being a champion sleeper!

If you wake up in the night and can’t get back to sleep within 15 minutes or so, get out of bed and do an activity that requires your hands and your head, like a jigsaw puzzle or a coloring book, says Richard Wiseman, professor for the Public Understanding of Psychology at the University if Hertfordshire and author of Night School: Wake up to the power of sleep. Stay away from the TV and digital screens, whose blue light has been proven to suppress melatonin, a sleep-inducing hormone.

I've been stressed out with some health problems recently and don't fall asleep sometimes until 1/2 am (really unusual for me). My naturopath suggested I try taking passionflower (in liquid form) to calm me down, and it helps with the stress and actually puts me out within 30min to an hour. Calms my brain and body down enough that I end up just wanting to sleep, and do, comfortably.

Same time each day – Start your sleep time routine in the meantime every day and keep up a normal rest time. Attempt a shower – Take a hot shower before sleep time. Mitigating drink – Herbal tea or a glass of milk additionally unwind the body and help you slow down.

Sleeping pills. :mrgreen:

Knife wrote: Masturbate.

Yeah ... masturbation is even better. 8-)

HAGART wrote:

Knife wrote:Masturbate.

OUT WITH THE TABOOS

I liked that one, and admit I do that too when I give up trying to sleep. It's nature's Ambien.

Yea, it seems taboo, and I was a bit shy to admit that, but why should anyone be?

In my dream journal I even take note of the times I use that method to go to sleep, so I can review it later in case it has affected my dreams either in content or having a deeper sleep. I never did look back to see a correlation, though, but it's there. I use a code word though. I write, "after WBTB I relaXed and went back to sleep", so nobody in my family reading it will know.

(But now, all of you know and the entire internet! :D )