As I have gotten deeper into programming, I have found that falling asleep is sometimes very difficult. I have also discovered that I am not alone because a number of other coders have told me that they cannot sleep because they cannot stop thinking.
Here are a few tips that have helped me fall asleep. This is not medical advice and I am probably the last person you should listen to 😉 but here goes…
- There are a number of relaxing YouTube audios that have helped me fall asleep such as Yoga Nidra for Sleep, Body Scan – Guided Mindfulness Meditation, and Guided Meditation Deep Relaxation and Sleep Over 3 Hours Long.
- To block out distracting sounds I play white noise.
- Paradoxically, sometimes I let my thoughts run non-stop for a few minutes. That can tire out my thinking and make me fall asleep.
- When I have slept poorly, the pzizz app has helped me recharge during the day. I just set it for 12-40 minutes then I re-enter my day refreshed.
The most important thing I have learned is that falling asleep requires trial and error. I have to try a strategy and if I am still awake then I have to try another technique. Eventually I will fall asleep and be refreshed, recharged, and ready to take on the next day’s coding challenges 🙂