How do you sleep at night?

Sleep is really important to our brain health. If you get adequate daily sleep, the brain is recharged and good thinking skills and memory are maintained. New information gets processed when we sleep and new memories are consolidated during different phases of sleep. If you are cutting your sleep time short, due to going to bed too late or worrying too much then you are not doing your brain any good.

The old adage about counting sheep to fall asleep has probably been around for about 150 years according to some references in literature. It is really a way to distract ourselves from worrying, planning, or problem solving. These activities can lead to the production of the stress hormone cortisol. One you have cortisol running around in your system you are wired and I think we all know what that feels like.

Another way to help you relax and fall asleep is to visualize a pleasant image. I like the image of walking on the beach or on a shady, wooded trail. Sometimes I imagine that I am camping under the stars and a light breeze is blowing across my body. I usually have a fan going all night to help block out any ambient noise and it can help to simulate the breeze blowing. Of course you may like the ambient noises going on in your surroundings and that may help you to sleep.

If counting sheep is too boring and doesn't appeal to you I have some other tricks you can try. If you have a  favorite poem memorized you can go over that in your head or try counting in another language. Whatever strategy you come up with to distract yourself from worrying will help you to prevent the release of cortisol. You can always tackle your problems in the morning and maybe you will even come up with a solution in your dreams.

 Studies show that a good night's sleep improves learning. So if you want to become a better tennis player, ace that math test, or memorize that piano piece, then make sure you are getting enough sleep at night.