IntrovertDear: 5 Things That Help Me Fall Asleep as an Anxious Introvert

"Remember, as an introvert, you need to protect your energy, so getting a healthy amount of sleep every night is crucial. Try different bedtime practices to figure out a routine that works for you. It’s a loud world out there for us anxious introverts. While it may require an extra effort on our end to decompress before bed, it’s so, so worth it.

1. White noise: Low-stimulus sounds can help soothe sensitive minds.

While introverts may be known as “quiet ones,” we know how loud our minds can be. When you add a bit of late-night anxiety to the mix, well, let’s just say it’s not exactly sweet dreams. While some people may rely on the TV or music to help silence nighttime racing thoughts, I find them too stimulating for my sensitive mind. White noise, on the other hand, isn’t too quiet or too loud — it’s just right.

2. Essential oils: Calming aromas ease nighttime anxiety.

Aromatherapy is a holistic healing treatment that uses essential oils to promote well-being.

It can improve sleep quality, reduce anxiety, and alleviate headaches, and different oils are known to serve specific purposes.

3. Coloring: Distracting the mind before bed is key.

According to WebMD, coloring allows you to focus on a simple task instead of thinking about chores, work, or whatever else is going on inside your humming mind. WebMD also reports that coloring has therapeutic benefits, putting your mind into a meditative state.

4. Tidying up: Reducing clutter and anxiety will help you relax.

If you’re feeling a bit overwhelmed before bed, take a few minutes to tidy up. VeryWellMind reports that one-third of their readers find clutter overwhelming. So whether it be folding laundry, cleaning off that chair (the one where your not-quite-dirty-not-quite-clean clothing lives), or wiping down your bathroom sink, tidying up puts my mind at ease before hopping into bed. Plus, we introverts like a clutter-free environment — organizing makes us happy. Try it — you’ll see.

5. Going offline: Eliminate anxiety triggers late at night.

Of course, the better answer would be to put your phone — and any other electronics — down at least 30 minutes before bed. It’s an important part of sleep hygiene; the blue light devices emit don’t promote sleep. But in today’s digital society, ignoring your phone is not necessarily an easy thing to do. So instead, my advice for anxious introverts is to start slow by getting off the internet 30 minutes to one hour before bedtime

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💬 What helps you wind down to get ready to go to bed? If you wake up and can't get back to sleep, what helps you fall back to sleep?