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If you are reading this article at 5 o’clock in the morning, then I am guessing that you have a hard time getting to sleep. You might be suffering from insomnia or just can’t seem to get your mind to slow down and relax before bedtime. This article discusses ways of managing your stress levels so that it is easier for you to fall asleep when you need to do so. If you are having trouble getting to sleep, or staying asleep for an extended period of time during the night, then you might need a more intense intervention. If this is the case it would be best if you saw your doctor who can diagnose specific medical problems and prescribe appropriate medications. However, there are some things that many people find helpful in managing stress levels before bedtime as well: *A warm bath will help relax muscles, lower heart rate and blood pressure; all which promote deep relaxation.*Deep breathing exercises may also help reduce anxiety because they teach how to control one’s breathing through slow deliberate breaths.*Yoga has been shown to decrease cortisol (stress hormone) production.*Exercise produces endorphins which make us feel better and are linked to better sleep.*Avoid caffeine and alcohol near bedtime as they can induce insomnia or cause the person to wake up in the middle of the night. – A warm bath will help relax muscles, lower heart rate and blood pressure; all which promote deep relaxation. – Deep breathing exercises may also help reduce anxiety because they teach how to control one’s breathing through slow deliberate breaths. – Yoga has been shown to decrease cortisol (stress hormone) production. – Exercise produces endorphins which make us feel better and are linked to better sleep. – Avoiding caffeine and alcohol close to bedtime helps prevent insomnia by causing a feeling of drowsiness that might interfere with getting into REM cycles during your sleep. – If you are having trouble getting to sleep, or staying asleep for an extended period of time during the night, then you might need a more intense intervention. – If this is the case it would be best if you saw your doctor who can diagnose specific medical problems and prescribe appropriate medications. However, there are some things that many people find helpful in managing stress levels before bedtime as well: *A warm bath will help relax muscles, lower heart rate and blood pressure; all which promote deep relaxation.*Deep breathing exercises may also help reduce anxiety because they teach how to control one’s breathing through slow deliberate breaths.*Yoga has been shown to decrease cortisol (stress hormone) production.*Exercise produces endorph
