How to Sleep When You Are Excited

Treating It Like Every Other Night

Try going to bed at your normal bedtime. Going to bed early may cause you more anxiety and restlessness. Studies suggest that going to bed at the same time every night can help your body stay on schedule, which can go a long way toward helping you remain well-rested and healthy.

Keep your room cool. If your body is too hot or too cold, you might be adding physical stress to an already restless night. Sleep studies have found that a room temperature between 60-67 degrees Fahrenheit (or 15.5-19.4 degrees Celsius) is the ideal range for restful REM sleep. Check that windows are open or closed as needed, to allow for appropriate cooling and heating. Do this before getting into bed. Try using a fan. It will provide your room with white noise while also keeping you comfortably cool.

Make arrangements for the morning well before bed. If you've already got a lot on your mind, dwelling on everything you'll need to do in the morning will only make it worse. Take preventative action and finish any packing, cleaning, or laundry you'll need for the morning well before your head hits the pillow.

Avoid screen glare. Light reduces your body's production of melatonin, which helps you fall asleep. Avoid watching television and using computers, tablets, or smart phones before bed. You can also put your devices in night mode to block sleep-disrupting blue light that is present in many electronic devices.

Calming Your Mind and Body

Listen to your body. If you're lying awake and too excited or anxious to fall asleep, that's probably not going to change on its own. Try getting up and doing something to distract your mind. Your body will let you know when it's tired, and when you return to bed you may find it easier to fall asleep.

Listen to music. Music can have a powerful effect on the brain, and if you're feeling overly excited you may find it helpful to listen to soothing music. If you have a particular album that always calms you down, try listening to it in the dark. Listen to a recording of natural sounds, like rainfall or ocean waves, which can create the illusion of a calm, natural environment. Try listening to a sad song. Research suggests that sad music can actually leave listeners feeling soothed and even uplifted, which may help curb the restlessness that's keeping you awake.

Try working out. While some people find that the adrenaline boost from vigorous exercise wakes them up, most people sleep better after working out. Exercise helps release stress and can make you feel calmer, which can add up to a restful night of sleep.

Use meditation to calm your mind and body. There are many different types and styles of meditation, but choosing the right one for you can be a rewarding and calming experience. If you're too wound up to fall asleep, try engaging in yoga or meditation to stop your mind from racing and help relax your body. Focus on your breath. Take deep breaths in and slowly exhale. Rhythmic breathing slows down your heart rate and can help you disengage from stressful thought patterns.

Try gradual relaxation techniques. Focus all of your attention on your body, beginning with your toes and working your way up to your head. This can help you distract your mind from thinking about whatever is keeping you awake.

Write down what's on your mind. If you have things to do or a brilliant idea on your mind to tackle later, make a note so you won't focus on it while trying to sleep. It's no help to you trying to remember all those undone tasks, and dwelling on them at night might prevent you from getting a good night's sleep.

Take a bath. A shower will also help you relax, but soaking in a bathtub relaxes the muscles better, and researchers have found that lying in a bath can have positive psychological results. Whether bathing or showering, the hot water can help calm your mind and relax your body.

Trying a Natural Sleep Aid

Drink some warm liquids. Whether you reach for a glass of warmed milk, a herbal tea (or other non-caffeinated tea), or a weak hot chocolate (remember that it contains caffeine though), holding and sipping a warm beverage can make you feel happier, more receptive, and relaxed. Avoid caffeinated drinks for several hours before bed. Stick to herbal or naturally decaffeinated beverages. If you're prone to getting up during the night to visit the bathroom, you might wish to skip this step

Try aromatherapy. Smelling scented oils and herbal concentrates associated with relaxation, like lavender, may help calm the body and promote a more restful night's sleep.

Consider an herbal supplement. Though they aren't as thoroughly researched as prescription medications, herbal supplements may be helpful as a sleep aid, when used correctly. Valerian is a common sleep aid, with documented use going back hundreds of years. Melatonin is a hormone that the human body produces naturally. Taking a synthetic melatonin supplement may help reduce the time it takes to fall asleep and can improve your overall quality of sleep at night. But remember, light interferes with your body's melatonin production, so it's best to avoid screen glare before bed, even if you're taking melatonin. Always consult with your doctor or primary care giver before taking any sleep aids or supplements.