Feeling Sleepy

There's one thing that absolutely drives me nuts.

Waking up in the middle of the night and not being able to go back to sleep.

Do you deal with the same problem?

Here are some tips that make a lot of sense:

Keep the room dark when you wake up. Keep a small book light or mini flashlight next to your bed and use it to navigate your way to the bathroom, or put a dim night-light in the bathroom and leave the door cracked, so you can find your way there. Whatever you do, don't turn on the overhead light in the bathroom once you're there.

Don't turn on the TV or computer. Nope, not even for a few minutes—the light from the screen "resets" your internal clock, stimulating your central nervous system and making it harder for you to fall back asleep.

Don't eat unless you're truly hungry. Getting your digestive system revved up can keep you awake, so avoid snacking unless a growling stomach is going to keep you awake. Better yet, learn the foods that help you sleep as well as the foods that interfere with sleeping.
Keep a pen and paper next to your bed.

If you're often kept awake by racing thoughts and worries and you tend to make to-do lists in your head, keep a pen or pencil and a small pad of paper handy and write them down. As you put each item down on paper, imagine yourself setting aside that concern. (Again, use a book light; don't turn on the overhead or a bright bedside light to write.)

Do a simple isolation and relaxation exercise. Relax methodically, starting with your feet: Tense the muscles as hard as you can, then relax each area completely. Do the same with your calves, thighs, buttocks, hands, arms and on up. By the time you get to your neck and head, you should have banished much of the tension."-Courtesy of Caring.com

All of that is good and practical advice.

But for the Christ follower, prayer can make a big difference.

Use the opportunity to pray for others.. and yourself.

End your prayer with a request: "Lord, will you help me get back to sleep?"

Remember this verse as you drift off:

Psalm 127:2 (NIV) "..... He grants sleep to those he loves."

Don't you feel sleepy already?