idk if any of these will work for you bc tbh, i'm a bit blesssed in the sleep dpt. i usually dont have problems but here's some things i'll do if i am not drifting quickly.
The "Full Body" - start at your toes and completely relax them. Work your way up from toes to the tip of your head (I never make it all the way). You have to really be mindful about whether or not each body part is truly and fully relaxed.
The "Just Rest" - don't put any pressure on yourself to fall asleep. Remind yourself that even laying there, eyes closed, is rest and is good for your body.
The Day Dream - my usual method. Start to imagine a fun scenario. I mean really get into it and the details. I usually end up transitioning into a dream from here.
Related Recs
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Going to sleep is a whole ritual. Have to wait for the right point in a relationship to bring up my routine because it frightens/baffles them.
Basically I have to trick myself into sleeping because my brain is really alive at all times. No "invigorating" music half an hour before bed, sunset lamp on, double cleanse, moisturiser, eye cream, lip balm, hair oil, silk scrunchie, hand cream, brush teeth, electric blanket on full for ultimate tucking in cosiness then down to 70% for the rest of the night, take inhaler, giant t shirt on, scroll, watch ASMR/listen to guided meditation, three pillow v formation and body pillow, set three alarms, phone on do not disturb, eventually pass out from exhaustion. I have never known peace a day in my life.
Apr 26, 2024
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I clear my desk off and place every article of clothing I can into the hamper. Remove any food, plates, bowls, utensils, paper towels, garbage lining in your wastebin that may or may not have a week or two old clif bar wrapper inside of it. Anything food related in my sleeping space, even if I’ve not eaten & my stomach is totally empty and has been for hours or for the whole day or days on end— will inevitably signal to my digestive system that there is work to be done & that digestion must happen. I can’t sleep if I’m digesting. I also to sit on my couch with a pen & notebook & vomit or diarrhea whatever thoughts have been haranguing me over the evening onto page. If I’m digesting things in my brain especially I find it impossible to sleep.
Open a window, as many as possible to allow fresh air in. Turn on your fans: ceiling, desk, windowsill-mounted box fan, whatever you have. Circulate the air as much as possible. I cannot sleep in a stale bedroom. Have a glass of water at your bedside. If your situation is really hopeless, maybe even fashion a receptacle to urinate into so you don’t have to walk into the bathroom all bleary eyed in the middle of the night. I’ll admit that this is something that I myself don’t have the courage to do yet, but one day when I’m older & even less continent I doubt courage will have very little to do with it & I will piss right by my bedside before yawning & curling up back under my two duvets. Tao Lin recommends this.
Have a bedtime & even if it’s hopeless & youre prone to tossing & turning all the way from 11 PM to 11 AM, stick to it. If I really can’t sleep, I resign myself to about an hour of wordy reading. I’ve been reading the first chapter of Freud’s Interpretation of Dreams for the better part of 3 months now. That helps too.
I am a total stiff & stretching is a total ordeal for me (trying to stretch my hamstrings makes me as red in the face as running a 5K [this is probably cope on my end, and my reluctance to stretch is likely a testament to a deeper, psychological inflexibility that I’m not willing to tackle at this time]) , so much like urinating into a bedside jar, glass, or other such receptacle I can’t personally recommend it based off my “””experience””” but I’ve read that stretching does go a long way before bed.
I’ve heard good things about magnesium. I take glycine because it gives me wild dreams.
Aug 5, 2024
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Something I'm not doing rn :(((((
Seriously though proper rest is such a good thing for you (even if you claim to be a night owl like me)
Here are some things that help you rest~
1. Red light/ dimming your screens and turning on your night light (much easier than no screens imo)
2. Don't lay in your bed if you aren't tired!!! (This only tricks your mind into thinking your bed is a place to be awake. So if you aren't tired/falling asleep within 30mins then go hang around somewhere else till you're tired babes)
3. Tea or milk (We all know this one, I personally like spearmint or the typical chamomile)
4. Read (Even if it's fanfiction on your phone as long as your screen isn't screaming in blue light you should be chilling)
5. Get clean (Feeling clean before heading to bed has got to be close to heavenly so treat yourself to a nice shower and some skincare to relax yourself)
Jun 4, 2024
Top Recs from @mollie
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gonna try this but also wanted to throw out my go-to lately (recent matcha convert)
1tsp ippodo horai matcha
eyeballed 170°F hot water, whisk
one lil squeeze of honey
almond milk over ice
froth up 1/2-3/4 a box of (strawberry/taro/banana) flavored milk
top almond milk w/ your flavored milk froth, top w your matcha over all that
mix & enjoy asf
1/2-1tsp ippodo ceremonial matcha
2oz 160°F hot water, whisk it up
1oz lemon juice
top off with seltzer water
busting
Jul 25, 2024
Aug 16, 2024
Doechii's swamp sessions have all been brilliant & now I'm enthusiastically anticipating the drop of her mix tape Alligator Bites Never Heal at the end of August
Kali Uchis' Orqueidas deluxe album is out and Como Debe Ser is just gorgeous
Joey Valence & Brae have brought silly, fun, bright punk hip-hop back and I'm loving the entirety of their No Hands album. Must listen if you're a Beastie Boys fan.
Flo Milli's Tiny Desk put me on to her music. This performance suits her style and voice so wonderfully.
Charli XCX's Brat doesn't need introduction or an explanation
Aug 16, 2024