Things That Help Me With Insomnia | 5 Ways To Fall Back To Sleep Easily

Things That Help Me With Insomnia | 5 Ways to Fall Back to Sleep Easily

The dreaded 3 a.m. wake-up. If you’ve ever been there, you know how frustrating it can be. For me, this happens in phases, sometimes 3, 4, or even 5 nights in a row. At that point, I’d do anything for a decent night’s sleep. (I’ve even booked myself into a Premier Inn just to get away from the chaos of home and actually rest… no kids, no interruptions!)

I’ve never been a great sleeper. I’m a light sleeper who wakes up easily, and my real struggle is falling back to sleep, which for me, defines my insomnia. Once awake, my brain tends to go into overdrive, stressing over random worries or replaying the tiniest details of the day.

Over time, I’ve discovered some helpful strategies to fall back to sleep easily. These are my personal go-to methods that have made those sleepless nights a little more manageable. If you’re also battling insomnia, maybe they can help you too.

5 Ways to Fall Back to Sleep Easily

1. Magnesium

Magnesium is my ultimate sleep savior. I take it every night before bed, no exceptions. It’s a natural sedative that works wonders to help me fall back to sleep easily. If I wake up in the middle of the night and sense it’s going to be one of those nights, I’ll take an extra magnesium. While I don’t recommend going over your daily dose regularly, it’s been a game-changer for me.

Another favourite of mine is Pretty Peaceful CBD oil. It’s infused with lavender, and just a few drops can work beautifully to relax me and help me drift off again.

I have also switched my ashwagandha to bed time, and it has helped so much!

2. Pillow Spray

Lavender pillow spray is my bedtime ritual. The scent instantly calms me, and I associate it with sleep. I spray it on my pillow before I go to bed and keep it within reach at night. If I wake up, I spritz a little more and focus on breathing in the soothing scent. It’s simple, but it’s one of my favorite tricks to fall back to sleep easily.

3. Read a Book

I always keep a lighthearted book on my bedside table, something comforting that I’ve read before. At the moment, that’s Conversations on Love. Re-reading a familiar book means I don’t have to concentrate too hard, which makes it easier to fall back to sleep.

Here’s a tip: avoid anything scary or suspenseful (no thrillers!)… that’s a surefire way to stay wide awake. And if you share your bed, invest in a reading light so you don’t disturb your partner.

4. Get Out of Bed

This is my last resort, but when I’m really struggling to fall back to sleep easily, I get up. I won’t lie, it’s hard in winter when the thought of leaving the warm bed feels unbearable. But it’s important to associate your bed with sleep and nothing else.

When I get up, I do something low-energy like gentle stretches, deep breathing, or a short meditation. The key is to stay calm and avoid stimulating activities. Whatever you do, resist the urge to check your phone… trust me, the screen will only make it harder to fall back to sleep.

5. Imagine a House

This quirky tip comes from my mum, and it works surprisingly well. Picture a house you know, maybe your childhood home or a relative’s house, and imagine walking through it in detail. Start at the front door and visualize every little thing you see as you move through the rooms.

The goal? Try to make it all the way upstairs without your mind wandering too much. I find this exercise distracts me just enough to help me fall back to sleep easily. For me, it’s usually my grandparents’ house or my childhood home that I revisit in my mind.

I hope these tips help you as much as they’ve helped me. Insomnia can be tough, but having a few go-to strategies in your toolkit can make a world of difference. Sweet dreams!

Rachel