How I Finally Started Sleeping Better: Honest Tips That Actually Worked
- Shubham Raghuvanshi
- 4 days ago
- 4 min read
Updated: 2 days ago
For a long time, I thought poor sleep was just part of being an adult.
You know — the late-night scrolling, the mind racing with unfinished tasks, the 3 AM wake-ups where you stare at the ceiling and suddenly remember that one awkward thing you said in 2017.
It wasn’t “bad enough” to be insomnia, but it was enough to leave me groggy, irritable, and weirdly anxious the next day.
If you’re going through something similar, this post is for you. I’m sharing what genuinely helped me improve my sleep — no gimmicks, no blue light glasses hype, just honest changes that made a noticeable difference.
Why Sleep Struggles Creep In (Even When Life Feels Okay)
For me, it wasn’t a major crisis that disrupted my sleep. It was… everything else.Small, silent things:
Too much screen time at night
A caffeine habit I didn’t want to admit
An overstimulated brain from multitasking all day
That constant hum of low-level stress we start to call “normal”
Sound familiar?
The worst part is, bad sleep doesn’t just stay in the night — it follows you into the day: affecting your focus, energy, mood, and how you talk to the people you love.
5 Small Habits That Actually Helped Me Sleep Better
These aren’t magic pills — but they worked for me, and maybe they’ll help you too.
1. A “Dim Everything Down” Hour Before Bed
Instead of forcing myself to fall asleep at a fixed hour, I started dimming the lights, lowering the phone brightness, and doing slower activities at least an hour before bed.Think: folding laundry, light stretching, or even reading something that isn’t stimulating (no thrillers, sorry).
It’s like sending a gentle signal to your brain that it’s time to switch gears.
📝 Tip: Try switching to warm lighting (table lamps > ceiling lights) after 9 PM.
2. Swapping Doom scrolling for “Low-Engagement Reading”
This was a hard one. My phone used to be the last thing I looked at before sleeping. Now, I keep a small paperback on my nightstand — something light and mildly boring (old essays, simple poetry, etc.). It helps me drift instead of spiral.
📚 Bonus: Here's a post I wrote on Books That Feel Like A Warm Hug if you need ideas.
3. Rethinking Caffeine (It’s Sneakier Than You Think)
I used to think that as long as I stopped coffee by 4 PM, I was fine.
Wrong.
Turns out, caffeine has a half-life of around 5–6 hours, meaning your body is still processing it well into the evening. I now limit my intake to before 1 PM — and yes, that one small tweak alone improved my sleep quality.
☕ No judgment here — just try shifting your last cup earlier for a week and see.
4. Waking Up at the Same Time (Even If You Slept Badly)
This felt counterintuitive. On days I slept poorly, I wanted to sleep in to make up for it.
But consistency helps your body regulate melatonin better. I started waking up around the same time every day — yes, even weekends — and within a week, I noticed I was falling asleep faster at night.
⏰ No need to wake up at 5 AM. Just consistent timing helps.
5. Creating a “Calm Corner” to De-Stimulate
Sometimes it’s not about sleep itself, but what you do in the hour before.
I made a small cozy nook in my room with a floor cushion, soft throw, and a candle. It’s where I sit, breathe, and let the day fall off. It’s not meditation — it’s just decompression without screens.
🕯️ Small rituals signal safety. That helps your nervous system relax enough to sleep.
Final Thoughts: Sleep is Emotional, Not Just Physical
What helped me most was realizing that sleep isn't just about what you do — it’s also about what you carry.
Unfinished thoughts. Frustrations. The fear of tomorrow’s to-do list.That’s why your sleep gets better when your day slows down, your phone shuts off, and your brain feels safe enough to let go.
If you’re on your own sleep journey — I see you. Be patient, be gentle, and maybe try one small change this week.
Bonus: Products That Actually Helped Me Sleep
Warm LED Bulbs – Makes a big difference in reducing that harsh overhead lighting at night.
A cozy corner of a bedroom featuring a soft, warmly-lit bed and a stylish wooden plant stand with lush greenery, creating a serene and inviting atmosphere.
Happilo Chamomile Green Tea – Light, calming, and doesn’t mess with my sleep like stronger teas.
Pouring a refreshing brew into glass mugs, surrounded by loose tea leaves, creating a warm and inviting tea setting.
Wakefit Orthopedic Pillow – Honestly, upgrading my pillow was a game-changer for neck tension.
The Calm App (free version works too) – Their 10-minute “Body Scan” helps me wind down when my brain’s noisy.
Have You Found Something That Works for You?
I’d genuinely love to hear what’s helped your sleep — or what you’re still figuring out.
Drop a comment below or reach out through the Contact page.
Let’s talk like real people do.
Sleep well tonight.– Shubham
Disclosure: Some links in this post may be affiliate links. If you click through and make a purchase, I may earn a small commission — at no extra cost to you. I only share what I truly find helpful or meaningful.
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