How to Get a Good Night Sleep When Depressed

One of the greatest difficulties in dealing with depression is that it can bring negative thoughts to the fore when you are trying to get a good night's sleep. Ironically, when you awake the next morning you may discover that your lack of sleep has compounded the problem. If you have seen your sleep patterns suffer as a result of being depressed, you may want to try some specific remedies.

Address the Sleep

1. Read in bed or otherwise engage in activities that keep your mind entertained and distracted. You may be able to immerse yourself in another story until the very moment when you can slip off to sleep.

2. Visit a sleep clinic and have your nighttime habits monitored by an expert. Although such centers aren't trained to relieve depression, they may have useful advice on relaxation, comfort and proper breathing.

3. Try stretching and yoga exercises. One of the best ways to get a good night's sleep is to relax your body fully before you slide between the sheets.

4. Go to sleep at the same time every night and get into a regular routine. Cutting out indulgences such as naps may force your body to adjust accordingly.

Address the Depression

1. Visit a psychiatrist or mental health clinic to address the depression head on. Often,, with good therapy and a course of antidepressants, you can free your mind from the negative ruminations of depression.

2. Keep a journal of the things you think about when you're trying to sleep and address these in a professional setting. You may be able to stem the source of these feelings.