Why is it that some people have a hard time falling asleep at night? Certainly some have insomnia, but there are a few other reasons people have sleepless nights, and just as many ways to prevent them.

The number one reason people can't fall asleep at night is due to Stress. There are too many things running around in your head; too many ?what ifs.? For example, what if I don't get to sleep, I'll be too tired to work, what if I don't get that project done tomorrow, etc. etc. etc. Realize that these questions cannot be answered from your bed, and take a few moments to calm them in your head. There are a few easy ways to do this.

1) Get up and walk around, take a deep breath, go to the bathroom, get a glass of water, etc. You might even try a few minutes at a computer game that is designed to calm your nerves, although, this would be better done before going to bed at night to create a happy mind and a more relaxed state that is ready for sleep. If this is your second sleepless night, play this game for a while before you go to bed, and you'll find sleep is right around the corner.

2) While you are up, write down those things that are bugging you, and tell yourself that you will take care of them in the morning. This gets them off your mind for the time being.

3) There are also plenty of hypnosis tapes that you can use to help you sleep. The people who do the taping are trained to speak slowly, and softly, putting you in a relaxed state of mind. So, even if you're not exactly doing a sleeping tape, you will probably feel calmer just by listing to a tape. And most of them can be done in a half hour or so. Again, if you feel like you're going to have a sleepless night, do the hypnosis tape before you go to bed.

It is a known fact that if you exercise for at least 30 minutes 5 times a week, you will have a better chance at good nights sleep (try to exercise at least a couple of hours before bedtime). Also, make sure your room is not too hot; it should be kept at 68 degrees or lower, and it's also a good idea to have a clean room. If the last thing you see before you go to bed is a messy room, you're more likely to think about having to clean it up in the morning

White noise can also help sleep. Keep a fan running or a water fountain or anything that will make a constant unchanging noise and lull you to sleep. And, last but not least, new studies have shown that if you get 20-30 minutes of bright morning light, it will help you fall asleep at night, and, if you get another 20-30 minutes in the late afternoon or early evening, that will help you stay asleep.

Sweet Dreams!