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Advice / Succeeding at Work / Break Room

8 Different Articles to Read if Falling Asleep Is a Real Struggle for You

person in bed with dog courtesy Hero Images/Getty Images.

Sleep. It’s technically a daily habit that should come naturally to us. Yet somehow, it’s so hard to get it right.

One night you’re tossing and turning for hours, hoping that your mind will eventually shut down. The next, you’re asleep as soon as your head hits the pillow, sleeping through your alarm and spending all day in a haze. There’s nothing worse than trying to plow through a full day at work when all you want to do is crawl under your desk and steal a nap.

Fortunately, we have plenty of advice to help you fall asleep—and fast—so that all of your hours on the pillow actually count.

Without further ado, sleep hacks for (almost!) every situation:


1. 3 Ways You’re Doing Your Bedtime Routine All Wrong

Getting to bed on time and creating a restful, happy place is something you can control, so why not give it a try? It’ll only take a few extra minutes (if that).


2. The Free iPhone Feature You Need to Enable Tonight (if You Like Getting Sleep)

The smallest changes can sometimes create a big impact. No really, your eyes will seriously thank you for this one.


3. 3 Excuses You Make for Not Getting Enough Sleep (and Why They're All Wrong)

If you’ve resigned yourself to not getting all of the shut-eye your body actually needs—and are in denial about it, even while yawning—this is for you.


4. The 30-Second Guide to Getting More Sleep (and Wanting to Wake Up for Work)

A few quick tips from Gretchen Rubin, noted expert on all things involving habits and happiness.


5. Trust Me, I Tried it: This Podcast Will Help You Fall (and Stay) Asleep

If you’re a podcast junkie and don’t yet know about this one, you’re seriously missing out. Tune in when reading to fall asleep fails you.


6. 19 Things to Try When You Can’t Sleep (Better Than Staring at the Clock)

And if a sleep-inducing podcast doesn’t do the trick, we have plenty of other tried-and-true methods for you to try on for size.


7. The Trick You Need to Try the Next Time You Can't Fall Asleep

Sometimes science is the answer to falling asleep—and no, we’re not talking about sleeping pills.


8. The Simple Breathing Technique That Helped Me Fall Asleep So Much Faster

This is about as far from a gimmick as it gets: All you need is your breath and a little counting, and you’ll be off to dreamland (fingers crossed!).