6 Simple Ways to Head Off Insomnia Tonight

Hello my name is Carrie, and I am an occasional insomniac.
But it used to be an issue for me almost every night of my life just a few short years ago...

Insomnia can strike anyone anytime for a number of reasons. Maybe it has been a particularly stressful day or week. Maybe you are anxious about an upcoming event in your life.
Or you could be like me and be a sufferer of anxiety.

Whatever the reason, when you have a rough time falling asleep and an even tougher time staying asleep, it can affect every part of your life.
And I do speak from experience.
From your job to your relationships to just simply your mood, insomnia can make you feel blech about all of them.

Finding simple and effective ways to prevent insomnia before it strikes has been a game changer for me.
I am not saying that since employing these tactics that I have never had a sleepless night since. But instead of insomnia being an almost nightly thing for me, it has now become an issue just a few nights each month.
Below are my six simple ways for heading off insomnia. Some of these may work for you, and some may not. What is important is that you try different tactics until you find out what does work best for you...

1. Find a way to not only mentally wind down, but to physically wind down as well. One of my favorite ways to do this is through a simple, relaxing yoga session about an hour before bed. You can find all sorts of great yoga videos at all different levels by doing a quick search of YouTube. Find a nice, slow paced yoga routine that works for you.
2. Try a warm mug of herbal (ahem... decaf) tea before bed. Even most instant hot cocoas are decaffeinated if you happen to not be a fan of herbal teas.
3. Give aromatherapy a go. Lavender and chamomile are both well-known for their calming properties and sleep-inducing abilities. Try a bubble bath, lotion, or simply keep an oil diffuser on your night stand.
4. When all else fails, keep a journal and a pen or pencil by the bed. If your mind will not stop mulling over a problem or decision, go ahead and flip on the bedside lamp and jot down what is bothering you. You are already awake anyways. Make a vow to yourself that once whatever is keeping you awake is written down in the journal, you will let it go and then leave it for the morning. Nine times out of ten, I wake up the next morning and read my journal only to find that whatever I was worried about that was causing me to lose sleep isn't that big of a problem at all in the light of day. ;)
5. Create a routine! Find out what works for you and make a nightly routine for yourself. Whether it is a combination of the above things or some other relaxing activities altogether, make a routine and be consistent. Your body (and mind!) will start to learn that once A,B, & C happens then it is time to shut down, relax, and rest for the night.
6. This is probably the most important one- make sure your bedroom is an environment that is conducive to sleep! A cluttered room or a room that is buzzing with electronics (aka, a television that stays on or a desktop PC that isn't shut down at night) can actually prevent you from relaxing enough to fall asleep and then stay asleep. I have a steadfast rule that there are no televisions in the bedrooms at all in our home. Also, I chose a color palette in our bedroom of soft blues which I find relaxes me. But another important aspect of having a bedroom that is conducive to a good night's rest is the very thing you are sleeping on- the mattress! If you have an uncomfortable mattress, it may not matter if you do every single thing listed above. Being physically uncomfortable will keep anyone awake- not just insomnia sufferers.

Don't have a comfortable mattress at the moment? Then you are in luck, my friends!

Between now and September 1st, you can visit the Supreme Dream contest page on Havertys to get entered to win a TEMPUR-pedic Queen Supreme Mattress Set valued at $2699!
And you can earn additional entries by sharing the contest on your social media outlets using the hashtag #HavertysYawn.
There is also a #HavertysYawn Twitter party on August 27th at 1pm EST, so don't miss it! :)

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Good luck, friends! :)

What is your best tip for falling asleep and staying asleep at night?

Visit http://www.havertys.com/ to enter the TEMPUR-pedic conetst for your chance to win a TEMPUR-pedic Mattress! 
This is a sponsored conversation written by me on behalf of Havertys. The opinions and text are all mine.