Sleep Aids

The following things can help you get to sleep quickly, some more ideal than others:

1. Exercise. Do your gym workout at night and your body will want to get its rest at least a bit earlier.

2. Sedatives like Ambien, Lunesta or Sonata. Sleeping pills are immediately effective although doctors don't encourage their use unless its for short periods. It is never a good idea to rely on hard medication for something you can solve more naturally.

3. Visualization. One visualization I like to do that really works for getting sleepy is imagining a thick smoke sorrounding me slowly. It starts small and grows until all I see is darkness.

4. Herbal sleep supplements. They are not as strong as sleeping pills but they can work just as well. They are non-addictive and generally safe. If you would like further information on a good sleeping supplement, you can see our Sleep Supplement information page.

5. Sleep programs, like hypnosis MP3's, DVDs or entrainment software. My favorite MP3 for sleeping is actually not intended for sleeping but is, instead, a hypnotic recording for self-awareness. For some reason, it always puts me to sleep with some unbelievably vivid dream sequences. For a cheaper alternative, try turning on the radio to an all-talk station then turn it very low, like someone is whispering at you. I find it very sleep-inducing.

6. Sleep masks and earplugs. I've never been a fan of sleep masks as they have never seemed to do anything for me. They just make everything pitch dark for $25! I can turn off the lights and put a pillow over my face for the same thing.