Can’t sleep? If you’re not one of the lucky ones who can fall asleep as soon as their head hits the pillow, you know what it’s like to lie awake agonizing over every minute of sleep you’re missing. 

You might watch the clock as it ticks towards tomorrow, count sheep until there’s livestock overpopulation, and drink so much warm milk that lactose becomes intolerant of you.    

Without sufficient shuteye, we become moody, forgetful, accident-prone, more likely to get sick and gain weight, and, no surprise, we’re tired as heck throughout the day.  

So, how can you get a full night’s sleep? Sure, there are over-the-counter sleeping pills and knock-you-unconscious nighttime cold medicine, but resorting to such measures isn’t ideal. 

Instead, how about taking a cue from folks from all over the globe who may have cracked the code on getting a restful sleep? While some of these get-to-sleep practices may seem odd at first, they sure beat existing solely on espresso and Mountain Dew while slapping ourselves in the face. 

We may have different cultures and customs, but we all must catch our Zzzs. 

Get ready and get comfy. You’re about to become the type who can get under the covers, close their eyes, and wake up the following day refreshed and ready to rule the world…or at least not nod off during your mid-morning staff meeting.

Get Naked

OK, that was abrupt and perhaps a bit premature, but you’re sleep-deprived…so strip. It works for the British, where nearly a third of them snooze in their birthday suits almost every night. The freedom of feeling their skin on the sheets makes sleeping so much better without the pajama barrier ruining the vibe.  

Naked sleeping can take some getting used to. Try removing an article of clothing each night until you’re down to next to nothing. Finally, go commando, give a nod to the British, and sleep like a (naked) baby. 

Don’t Worry, Be Happy

When you can’t stop stressing out, and it’s interfering with your sleep, stop worrying. Ya, that’s not happening. So, pass along your anxiety issues to your “worry doll.” Unlike the dolls you may have played with as a child, worry dolls, a Mayan tradition, are more like tiny therapists who live under your pillow.

You transfer all your worries to your doll – traditionally made of wire or wood, yarn, and fabric – and they’ll soak in all your stresses and sorrows. Tuck the little sucker under your pillow, and you’re sure to have a peaceful sleep. Imagine the Tooth Fairy’s surprise when she finds a worry doll on her nighttime route. 

Death Cleaning

While this sounds unpleasant, “death cleaning” is a Swedish tradition that helps people sleep more soundly. There is no actual death involved, per se, but the practice does have “mortality” written all over it.

“Döstädning,” as it’s called in Sweden, is a decluttering activity. Essentially, as a person ages, they clear out their home of their knick-knacks and other stuff they don’t need so their families won’t have to deal with it upon their death. 

This gradual decluttering makes the living space tidier and calmer, creating peace of mind for the aging and the family members they’ll one day leave behind. This way, everyone sleeps better. Let’s hope they don’t toss out anything valuable or sentimental along with their old socks and broken can openers. 

Sleep Whenever the Mood Strikes

In Botswana, there is a native tribe called “Kung.” These hunter-gatherers don’t necessarily do the traditional sleep-at-nighttime thing. When they’re tired, they sleep. This could be any time – day or night.  

While this flexible, freestyle way of sleeping may work for the Kung tribe, your employer might not be pleased to see you catching a snooze at your desk in the middle of the afternoon. But, if your schedule allows for free sleeping, give the Kung tribe’s sleep practice a try. You may miss your lunch meeting or leave your kids stranded at soccer practice, but at least you’ll be well-rested.  

Stress Yourself to Slumber

Your psychologist won’t likely recommend this method, but some people in Bali swear by “fear sleep” (“todoet poeles”). Under great stress, people can fall asleep almost instantaneously, similar to a shock reaction. 

If you’re easily stressed, perhaps your worries are the key to a good night’s sleep. We’ve always been taught to try to decompress before bedtime, but maybe we’ve been doing it all wrong. Tonight, freak out about your work presentation that you haven’t even begun yet, the plight of the polar bears, and whether or not you turned off the stove after supper. You’re sure to get some much-needed rest. 

More Practical Tips for a Good Night’s Sleep

If sleeping in the nude isn’t your cup of tea, and you’re not quite ready to get rid of your sports collectibles, it doesn’t mean a good night’s sleep isn’t in the cards. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) offers tips for better sleep that you can do without “worry dolls” or the embarrassment of snoring during a parent-teacher conference.

• Consistency – Wake up and go to bed around the same time every morning and night. Even on weekends. The regularity of your sleep schedule will “train” your body to sleep during a specific time period. Of course, a short nap here and there is fine if you need a mid-day rest.  
• Ambiance – You’ll sleep better when your bedroom is cool, dark, quiet, and comfortable. Create a Zen-like atmosphere that promotes a sound sleep.
• Log Out – Your smartphone, laptop, tablet, and TV will keep your brain busy when it should be shutting down. An hour before you hop in bed, ditch the devices. You’ll relax your eyes, clear your mind, and find that you’ll fall asleep sooner than you might if you were busy “doom scrolling” through social media.  
• Keep it Light – Avoid a big dinner, caffeine, alcohol, and too much fluid too close to bedtime. 
• Stay Active – During the day, that is. You’ll get a better night’s sleep when you get sufficient exercise. Try not to exercise too close to bedtime because you may find it harder to wind down.

Still Can’t Sleep? 

Get rid of physical pain and gain emotional well-being. Sure, that sounds like a good idea, but how? 5,000 years of herbal wisdom has the answer. 

When your body hurts, it’s hard to sleep. We’ve all been there, tossing and turning, moaning and groaning, all while staring at the clock, praying for a miracle. Have you turned to sleeping pills, pain meds, or pulled all-nighters because your body couldn’t relax? These quick fixes and unsustainable patterns can create more significant problems down the road. 

When you’re sore and uncomfortable, FastEaze14™ provides remarkable, all-natural relief. The healing powers of ancient herbs, anti-inflammatory agents, and pain relievers make this topically-applied product your better sleep solution. Apply FastEaze14™ wherever you’re hurting, and not only will your pain dissipate, but it will also make you feel better mentally. And when you feel well, you sleep well.  

Imagine combining the unusual sleep practices from around the globe with the tips from the CDC and the all-natural benefits of a medicine-free topical product. Your partner can snore like a freight train, and you won’t bat an eye. Even a blowhorn couldn’t wake you from your deep sleep. Before you know it, it’ll be time for breakfast.