Simple Comforts for Sleepless Nights

So much advice about sleep can feel like another list of rules: no screens, no caffeine, no blue light. But this piece focuses on things that feel doable—small comforts that meet you where you are, rather than scolding you for not being perfectly relaxed.

I really enjoyed this New York Times interactive piece, “I Can’t Sleep”. It’s full of thoughtful, practical ideas for what to do when your mind won’t quiet down—and what I loved most is how simple many of them are.

A Few That Stood Out to Me

• Do some light stretches — short, gentle exercises can calm your nervous system and lower stress hormones. You can do them in bed or anywhere cozy with dim lighting.

• Counting backwards from 100 — a gentle way to give the brain a small, repetitive task that quiets racing thoughts.

• A cool washcloth or pillowcase — physical calm that signals safety and ease.

• Listening to an audiobook or soft podcast — the soothing rhythm of a voice to help you drift.

Takeaway

These small acts remind us that rest doesn’t always have to mean sleep right away—it can mean softening toward rest, giving the body and mind permission to settle at their own pace.