Keys to better Sleep

Have you been evaluated for sleep apnea?

No.

Do you snore a lot or has anyone ever told you you stop breathing briefly when asleep?

If yes to either, consider getting a sleep study.

I find I wake up better sleeping 6-7 hours than 8-9, and for the life of me I cannot figure out why. The only downside is I get much more tired easily later in the day with less hours of sleep, but I wake up feeling worse with more hours of sleep. Fricking bull shite...

I have serious sleep issues and almost nothing works for me. I finally got around to trying melatonin (assumed it wouldn't work either for the longest time) and I now sleep for at least 6.5-7 hours every night. I would definitely try it if you haven't yet.

king size bed is a must if you have a s.o. living with you or a wife that tosses and turns every 20 damn minutes

I've had some problems falling asleep and staying asleep in the past. Not major insomnia but enough to make it a pain in the arse.

The previous posts about exercise are dead on. It gets you tired plus it helps put you in a good mood so your mind isn't racing once you try to go to sleep. My doctor also told me to have good sleep "hygiene." Meaning try to wind down, relax, and fall asleep as opposed to trying to sleep with the TV blaring or your cell phone in your face.

If you're looking for a drug, then I'd recommend Sonata. Take it 30 min before you want to go to sleep. All it does is help you fall asleep and its effects last about 30 min to an hour with no hangover in the morning. You can even take it in the middle of the night if you're tossing and turning.

Wake up about 45 mins earlier than you normally do, and work out or do some cardio before you eat breakfast. Then go about your normal daily routine, but drink only water, and try to limit the amount of sugar you're putting in your body throughout the day. Try to not eat much after sundown or you'll confuse your body to think it needs to burn energy to digest the food while you sleep. Taking a sleep medication isn't a bad idea, but if you don't want to feel groggy in the morning then you may want to avoid it. Also, it could all just be psychological, i.e. stress, so try to take care of whatever is on your mind that could be causing you sleep deprivation. Drinking alcohol won't get your body the rest it needs during sleep btw.

Focus on your breathing.

Inhale for 5-6 seconds at a slow steady pace;

Hold it for 1-2 seconds then a steady exhale, repeat.

Does two things, more oxygen to your brain which helps you to relax and focusing on your breathing allows to not think about bullshite that makes you anxious.