6 Genius Tricks for Sleeping Better

Tossing. Turning. Watching Chuck Norris fitness-apparatus commercials. No one likes insomnia. So we rounded up our favorite little tips for trying to get some quality shut-eye.

WARM YOUR FEET WITH SESAME OIL
The natural oil (not the toasted cooking kind) is known to relieve anxiety and promote restful sleep. So give your tootsies a quick massage, slip on some cozy socks and get in the mood.

DRINK A GLASS OF MILK--AND EAT A FEW ALMONDS
The two contain tryptophan and melatonin (natural snooze boosters), respectively. Opt for food with calming effects (not that half-eaten Hershey’s bar and leftover Thai takeout, which have adverse, stimulating effects).

TURN ON THE HUMIDIFIER
Got a snoring problem? Fire up the vaporizer. (Or make a garlic steam treatment on the stove.) The moistened air can curb seasonal allergies or ward off other congestion troubles that are causing you to mouth-breathe--and not get any real rest.

FIND OUT EXACTLY WHEN YOU SHOULD DOZE OFF
When it comes to hours of sleep, more does not always equal better. Work backward from the time you need to wake up, and then calculate your REM cycles with a bedtime generator. It’ll tell you when you should really fall asleep to reduce grogginess the next day.

TRY A TRICK FOR FALLING ASLEEP FAST
So, you want to start said REM cycles…right now? Calm your mind by imagining your childhood home. Walk in and out of each room, reminisce about the artwork and furniture. And voilà: You won’t even realize you conked out.

ATTEMPT A BREATHING EXERCISE
If childhood houses aren’t your cup of tea, get to know the “4-7-8” method. What you do: Exhale completely through your mouth; then close your mouth and inhale through your nose for a count of four. Hold your breath for seven counts and exhale again for eight counts. Repeat as needed. It’ll up your oxygen levels, slow your heart rate and signal your body that it’s time to hibernate.

How to Stop Drooling During Sleep

it is possible to stop drooling during sleep. The remedies for this condition can range from behavior modifications to the treatment of an underlying medical condition, such as an allergy or an abnormal sinus.

Breathe through your nose. Most people drool during sleep because they have a tendency to breathe through their mouths. During sleep, when you are unconscious and unaware, you don't have the same control over your bodily functions and emissions as you do during your waking hours. For people who breathe through their mouths, it's normal for saliva to start to work its way down and out through your partially open mouth. When you breathe through your nose, and with your mouth closed, your saliva will stay in your mouth.

If your nasal passages are restricted, a visit to your local allergist or ear, nose and throat doctor may be a wise step to ensure that you keep your nasal passages clear. Not only will this keep you from drooling during sleep, it will cut down on your susceptibility to colds and other respiratory conditions.

Visit your allergist or ear, nose and throat doctor to determine if sinus and/or nasal problems prevent you from breathing through your nose. If your nasal passages are chronically inflamed, and you simply breathe out of your mouth due to necessity, a trip to the appropriate physician can do wonders to shrink your nasal passages and/or relieve your stuffy sinuses, which will enable you to breathe easily and effortlessly through your nose. .

Get used to sleeping on your back. When you sleep on your back, it's virtually impossible to drool during sleep. Even with your mouth open in this position, your salivary excretions stay confined to the insides of your mouth, exactly where they belong. So, experiment with lying on your back immediately after getting into bed for the night. Even if you prefer to sleep on your sides, or on your stomach, beginning your night's sleep while on your back will do a great deal to prevent you from drooling while you sleep. And if you wake up in the middle of the night and find yourself on your side or stomach, immediately switch back to lying on your back. Over time, hopefully, your body will get used to that position and start to remain in that position.