While I was going through the motions of getting my degree, I frequently suffered many a night where I would just lie there.  Not sleeping.  Not thinking.  Just waiting for the alarm to ring so that I might get up and do it all over again.  Exhausted.

Along my progression of mindful living, I have discovered a few things that have in the last several months, led me to sleep soundly and deeply.

Caffeine: I had to quit coffee.  This has proven beneficial on several levels.  Having quit caffeine, I’d guesstimate that my anxiety has decreased by 99%.   It was worth it for this very point alone; however, I am pleased to say that having been caffeine free for longer than a few weeks (truthfully, it’s been months that I’ve been working on this), I do not struggle with wakefulness while I’m supposed to be resting.

Movement: It’s pretty safe to say that a HUGE majority of us don’t get enough movement.  The terrible E-word (Exercise) requires discipline.  But… I figure having a more restful night’s sleep AND a more healthful body is worth the effort.  I’ve been walking on a treadmill while listening to audiobooks on my iPod during my lunch breaks.

Reading: I read before bed.  If I’m having an especially busy day, it’s even better to read something boring.  Fortunately, I have found that by eliminating caffeine and also practicing my other nightly rituals, I can even read something interesting– and slowly feel my eyelid droop.

Nightly Ritual: Every night, I go through the same motions.  I brush my teeth, wash my face, and stare in the mirror for a bit.   I don’t think that it requires you to have any particular set of actions, as long as they are quiet, calm, and you repeat them every night.

Grounding: This is a bit more personal, but I would encourage you to try it in whatever form you choose.  I look at myself in the mirror for several minutes.  I repeat mantras, and focus on breathing.

Writing Utensils: Being the “over-achiever” that I am, I tend to have lists of things to do and/or address.  In order to prevent myself from forgetting everything, and also as a means of quieting my mind, I keep a pencil and notebook next to my bed.  If there’s something that I keep thinking about, or something I want to focus on, I write it down and mentally give myself permission to think about the subject tomorrow.  This has also been helpful for me because I’ve been wanting to pay a little more attention to my dreams.   If I wake up in the middle of the night, I am able to record my dreams.  Thankfully, I’ve been sleeping so well that I haven’t been waking up.

Do you have any other helpful hints?