Watching an exciting flick in the evening is a favored way for many people to relax after a long day of work. They look forward to getting home, having dinner and then sitting down to be entertained. After hours of watching television, they decide to turn in for the night and instead of falling fast asleep, they spend the next several hours rolling around in their bed, suffering from insomnia.



When we watch something exciting or thrilling on television, our adrenaline gets pumped up and it becomes difficult to calm ourselves down to a point where sleep comes easy. Our minds also become engaged, and trying to quiet that down can be a problem, especially if what we were watching was troubling or upsetting.

We usually don't associate our insomnia with what we have done in the evening. Instead we attribute it to work problems or other worries. That is true at times but it might be that our minds wander to other things as we lay in bed, because we've been so stimulated by our viewing choices.

Television has a direct impact on a persons emotions and if you've spent the last two hours before bed watching a horror movie, your heart has raced enough that simply falling fast asleep is no longer an option.

If you feel as though you might be losing sleep because of what you are watching in the evening, finding another activity might be the key you need to a full eight hours..

Some suggested alternatives are:

Take a walk. Getting outside and exercising can tire you out enough that you will drift quickly off.

Reading a book or a magazine. Choose something that you find genuinely interesting to read, this will help you relax.

Take a warm bath. Immersing your body in a tub full of warm water helps to relax your muscles and soothes the body.

Play a board or card game with your family. Spending time with those you are closest to is a perfect way to wind down your day.

Mental stimulation is important when it comes to driving, studying and learning. There are moments in our days when we have to be completely alert and awake. One time we don't want that to happen is in the evening as we get into bed.

Choose to spend your time before bed doing something relaxing that allows you to calm down and prepare your body for a full night's rest. Exciting activities are better left to earlier in the day when you want and need to be wide awake.

Your activities can be a precursor for whether or not you'll suffer from insomnia.