For example, I might not be sleepy at night and could stay another couple of hours awake, but if I decide to go to sleep, I am able to do so?
In: 42
good for you! I have no explaination, but may I ask your age?
Before I hit the 30s I was also able to sleep whenever I wanted 😉
First, get settled into a comfy position on your bed. Then, simply inhale through your nose for four seconds, hold your breath for seven seconds, and then exhale slowly through your mouth for eight more seconds. Repeat until you fall asleep. That’s all there is to it
You can will yourself to sleep!?
Ez go to military –> experience sleep deprivation –> now you get acces to sleep deluxe, sleep where you like, when you like..
Ohh and don’t forget the non service related pain, much much pain
You guys can fall asleep voluntarliy?
A lot of people are answering in terms of instructions. I think OP was asking what biologically allows us to decide “OK I want to sleep now,” since there is a biology tag.
For human adults a lot of factors control sleep, core body temperature, stimulation, environment temperature, comfort, melatonin levels, deep breathing etc. You don’t need all of these factors to fall asleep just enough to get you ‘over the horizon’ to a state of unconsciousness. For example you may not be sleepy but it’s your normal bed time (melatonin is just right) so you lay down, get comfortable and start deep breathing so you fall asleep. Conversely as you approach bedtime you could decide to turn on the TV and start working out, this will provide enough stimulation to keep you awake.
I am not a sleep expert.
It depends on the person. Some people are able to fall asleep within moments of closing their eyes no matter the situation. Some people (like myself) can spend up to 2 hours awake with their eyes closed even if they’re in their bed and following a consistent schedule. Melatonin production can play a role in this but generally it’s just a “humans are vast and unique” situation.
Your body produces hormones like Melatonin that helps your body turn down. Slowly various parts of your brain “shut off” until you’re entering an early cycle of sleep, usually shallow sleep. There are three sleep cycles, Shallow, Deep, and REM sleep, but generally, you’re getting rest as long as you’re laying down relaxed with your eyes closed. The rest you gain is minimal if you aren’t actually “asleep” asleep, but it’s more than 0.
Meditation is a form of deliberate and deep relaxation. It boosts the levels of dopamine, GABA, serotonin and melatonin in the brain.
Learn to meditate sitting up, then do it lying down. It’s not uncommon for a sleepy meditator to doze off sitting upright and fall over. Highly amusing for anyone sitting with them.
I have insomnia, one thing i noticed that really helped with my sleep is to relax my face, more often than not my jaw will be tense when i lay down. Also i shifted my thoughts to “i will rest now” instead of “i will sleep”. Because if i don’t sleep i get frustrated and then I’m definitely not sleeping. But “i will rest” even if i don’t sleep i will rest my body… it kinda takes the pressure away.
Some people can, sure. I’m not sure how though. But for me I can’t even fall asleep when I *am* sleepy
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