Sleep in Heavenly Peace

Do you have trouble sleeping?  I do.  and I have several friends who struggle as well.  It seems I can't quite turn my brain off.  The house is finally quiet and I can think - and so I do - but I can't stop.  Sometimes I just have trouble falling asleep, and sometimes I just can't seem to get into a deep, restful sleep.  If you struggle too - here are a few natural remedies that you can try.

• Essential oils:  Lavender and Chamomile are excellent choices to use as a sleep aid.  I have a mixture of them in a bottle by my bed - I rub some on my wrists and neck every night.  You'll find that Chamomile is a little pricey, but it lasts a long time because you only need a drop or two.  
• Warm bath:  It's difficult to fall asleep when you are cold.  Your body can't relax.  A warm bath will relax muscles and increase circulation warming you up so you can drift off.
• Full Belly:  You'll read in a lot of places that you shouldn't eat right before bed.  Perhaps that is true for some people. I like to eat a small snack though, because it is very hard for me to fall asleep if I am hungry.  I sleep more soundly as well.  Just remember to eat something sensible - like a piece of whole grain bread with peanut or almond butter, or a handful of almonds.  Combine that with a warm cup of Chamomile tea and you should be good to go.
• Distraction:  Since I have trouble turning my mind off - I often listen to something to keep my brain occupied long enough for me to fall asleep.  Music doesn't work for me - it's not distracting enough.  I need to focus on other people talking - like a movie or tv show.  I have a small portable dvd player that I hook headphones into - I close it and it will continue to run so I don't bother my hubby with the bright light.
• Eye Mask:  Helps tell your brain - "hey, it's dark so go to sleep".  Plus the routine of putting it on is another signal to your mind and body that it is time to turn off.

I hope you find these helpful.  If any of you have tips for finding dreamland, please share in the comments!

jessica