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[Starting Today!] Recommended Ways to Kill Time on Sleepless Nights
“I can’t sleep because I’m anxious about work tomorrow,” “I can’t sleep because I’m excited for the field trip,” “I can’t sleep for no particular reason.”
There are many people who struggle to fall asleep at night for all sorts of reasons.
In this article, we’ll introduce some ways to pass the time that we recommend for those sleepless nights.
We’ve gathered a variety of ideas—from things you can do in bed, to activities while you’re up, to tricks that can help lull you to sleep.
If you’re thinking, “I want to sleep but I just can’t,” or “I want to make good use of this time when I can’t sleep,” we hope you’ll find this helpful!
[You Can Start Today!] Recommended Ways to Kill Time on Sleepless Nights (1–10)
to surf the net
Given that we now live in an era where everyone has their own computer or smartphone, many people have probably gone web surfing at least once.
A lot of us have also experienced starting out researching one thing, only to realize we’ve ended up looking at something completely different.
Normally, that could be a waste of time, but when you can’t sleep, it can actually be a meaningful way to spend the time.
However, be careful not to get too engrossed if you have plans the next day, as blue light may stimulate your brain and make you more awake.
play a game
When you just can’t fall asleep, why not take the plunge and immerse yourself in a game world? These days, there’s such a wide range of gaming hardware—from smartphone games to ones you play on a TV—that it can be hard to choose.
And with the rise of online games, you can play from home with others who are also logged in late at night, so you won’t feel lonely even in the middle of the night.
Just be careful not to get too absorbed if you have plans the next day and can’t sleep.
Listen to music
Listening to music when you can’t sleep is recommended because it can help you feel refreshed and relaxed.
Classical and healing music are good options, and these days you can find sleep-oriented tracks on platforms like YouTube, so it might be worth searching for them.
If that kind of music isn’t your style, listening to your favorite songs to calm your mind can also help promote sleep.
However, be careful with your selection—if you listen to music that pumps you up, it may make you even more awake.
Choose tracks carefully if you’re listening to fall asleep.
Watch the video
When you’re tense from stress or worried about the next day, it can be hard to fall asleep as you’d like.
In those times, it’s a good idea to switch your mood by watching videos on your smartphone while you’re lying in bed.
You can binge your favorite videos, of course, but thanks to the recent camping boom there are also plenty of YouTube channels that show nothing but campfires, which you might find relaxing just to watch.
It’s an easy idea you can try right away to help you forget stress and anxiety before going to sleep.
Read books and manga
If you can’t sleep anyway, immersing yourself in a novel or manga you’ve been wanting to read might be a meaningful way to spend the time.
If you’re usually too busy with work to make time, reading—which takes you to a world different from reality—might be an even better stress reliever than losing a bit of sleep.
On the other hand, many people find that printed books make them sleepy no matter how interesting they are, so you might end up dozing off before you realize it while being completely absorbed.
Whether you keep reading or drift off, you come out ahead—an idea to try when you can’t sleep.
Go for a walk
When you have too much mental or physical energy and can’t fall asleep, why not take a walk around your neighborhood? Even familiar scenery looks different at night, which can help refresh your mood.
Plus, walking provides moderate exercise, which may help you sleep more comfortably.
However, if you wander too far, you might get too tired or sleepy to make it back, or you could find yourself wide awake by the time you return.
So it’s best to keep your walk within a distance that lets you get home quickly.
eat a late-night snack
Many people have probably experienced feeling sleepy after eating until they’re full.
When you can’t sleep, having a light late-night snack can help you relax and lead to better sleep.
However, there are theories that digestion slows down while you sleep and that it’s easier to gain weight, so keep the portion to just enough to settle your stomach.
If you’re really averse to eating before bed, a warm drink is also recommended.
Do stretching and yoga.
Yoga and stretching, which many people have incorporated into their lifestyles in recent years, are also highly effective when you can’t sleep.
Moving your body while regulating your breathing improves circulation and can enhance sleep quality.
They also help calm the mind, so they may be especially useful if stress from work or other factors is keeping you awake.
However, forcing difficult poses or movements can lead to injury, so be sure to go at a pace that suits you.
Go for a drive
On those nights when you just can’t fall asleep even after getting into bed, going for a drive to reset your mind might be a good idea.
Especially if stress is keeping you awake, getting some fresh air can be more soothing than stewing under the covers.
From city illuminations to natural spots where the stars shine clearly, the late-night scenery can help you feel refreshed.
However, nighttime driving reduces visibility and concentration, so if you start to feel drowsy, head home right away.
to study
If you just can’t fall asleep no matter what you try, it can be a meaningful use of time to switch gears and sit down at your desk.
If you absolutely can’t sleep and your mind feels sharp, you may actually absorb what you study more easily; and if you tend to feel sleepy the moment you start studying, it might even help you drift off.
It’s a win-win: you can use otherwise idle time to improve yourself.
This is a recommended way to spend sleepless hours, especially for those who usually can’t find time to learn new things or study for certifications because of work.