Introduction

Lights out . . . and there’s almost nothing nicer after a long, demanding day than nestling down under the covers in a comfy bed and drifting off to dreamland.

If only it were that easy, right?

While for some lucky people, sleep comes pretty soon after their heads hit the pillow, for others, going to bed then struggling to nod off for hours on end can become a nightmare. Especially if it’s happening night after night.

If you’re reading this book, you’re probably having trouble sleeping. I feel for you. There’s nothing nice about lying there, thoughts and worries flooding your mind, or feeling wide awake, wired and irritable, tossing and turning and simply unable to slip into slumber.

But while in the dark morning hours it can often feel like you’re the only person in the world who’s not fast asleep, I can tell you that you’re certainly not alone. Research has found that in today’s fast-paced, high-alert, nonstop culture almost a third of us get poor sleep most nights. Nearly three-quarters of us snooze less than the optimum seven or eight hours, and 12 percent get less than five. And lack of sleep can become a wearing long-term predicament if it’s not addressed. Figures show that 35 percent of us have suffered from sleep problems for more than five years, and a fifth for more than ten. That’s a lot of long, sleepless nights.

Insomnia can wreak havoc on our daytimes, too, leaving us feeling exhausted, irritable, and unwell. What’s more, it has been linked to a whole host of long-term chronic conditions including type 2 diabetes, heart disease, a propensity to strokes, high blood pressure, obesity, and depression.

Yet it’s not all doom and gloom. There are plenty of positive things you can do to improve your sleep. So I’ve trawled through the science of slumber to bring you a huge selection of assorted tricks and tips to put your body and mind in the best state possible for drifting off peacefully when you head to bed. You may be surprised to learn that everything from having a purpose in life to warming your feet, from what you eat to how you breathe, from how much time you spend outdoors to reframing your thoughts and mindset, can all help get you to sleep.

The book is packed with plenty of everyday tricks to try, as well as some weird and wonderful tips — garnered from expert research — that you can take inspiration from. What works for some might not be successful for others, so be prepared to try them out and experiment!

Sleeping well can help change your life for the better. You’ll feel more energetic, optimistic, happier, and healthier when you’ve ditched the bad old habits that for too long have stopped you from nodding off. Remember, everyone can sleep. It’s just a matter of finding out what works best for you to lure you into a long, peaceful slumber. The tips in this book will help you fall in love with falling asleep again — with little effort, no stress, and a free mind.

I hope you find the magic to help you enjoy peaceful, sleepful nights thanks to some of these sleep tricks.

Sweet dreams.