There are a few lucky people out there who have absolutely no trouble falling asleep at night. The minute their head hits the pillow, they’re out. The rest of us lie in bed staring at the ceiling, tossing and turning, counting sheep or minutes, or snore, waiting for the mercy of blessed sleep to come.
能够在夜里一躺下就睡着的人很少，也很幸运。当他们一头扎到枕头上时，他们就呼呼大睡了。而剩下的我们则是躺在床上，盯着天花板，要么辗转反侧，要么数绵羊，又或者是打鼾，等待着周公的眷顾。

Lack of sufficient, good quality sleep takes a toll on nearly every aspect of our lives, everything from health, to mood, to safety, to job performance. The good news is…all is not lost. With a bit of knowledge, a bit of planning and a bit of patience, we can learn to fall asleep fast!
睡眠不好或是睡眠不足会在我们生活的各个方面带给我们烦恼，从健康、情绪、安全感到工作表现。好消息是我们对此并非束手无策。只要有一点点知识，加一点点的规划和耐心，我们就可以学会很快入睡了。

With that in mind, here are a total of 19 ways to fall asleep fast.
这里是19条助我们快速入睡的方法。

Daytime Sleep Enhancers
白天有助睡眠的方法

Exercise during the day – We all know exercise improves our health, but it also improves our sleep by reducing stress. The caveat, don’t exercise within 3 hours before bedtime. The adrenaline will keep you awake.
在白天锻炼—我们都知道锻炼有助于我们的健康，此外，它会减少我们的压力感从而提高我们的睡眠质量。警告：睡前3小时不能锻炼。肾上腺素会让你保持清醒状态哦。

Limit beverages that interfere – We all know that caffeine makes it difficult to fall asleep, but we may not be aware that alcohol interferes as well, as does drinking too much water right before bedtime.
限制酒水饮料—我们都知道咖啡因会让我们难以入睡，但我们可能不知道酒精也有同样的作用，此外同样让我们难以入睡的是睡前喝太多的水。

Avoid naps – Try not to nap if you possibly can. Sleeping during the day makes it difficult to fall sleep at night. If you absolutely must, limit naps to a power nap of 20 minutes.
避免打盹—如果可以就不要打盹儿。在白天睡觉就会让我们在夜里难以入睡。如果你真的需要，那就把打盹儿的时间限制在20分钟内。

Evening Sleep Helpers
夜间睡眠小帮手

Food is a factor – Have a light dinner. Heavy meals may be difficult to digest and indigestion may make it difficult to fall asleep. But don’t go to bed hungry. Hunger keeps you awake. Eat a light snack shortly before bedtime.
食物是一个因素—晚饭不宜太饱。吃的太饱不易消化，而消化就会让我们难以入睡。但是也不要饿着肚皮上床睡觉。饥饿会让你保持清醒。睡前可吃一点点小零食。

Turn off the TV and computer. – This kind of stimulation tells the brain to be alert when it’s supposed to be winding down and has been proven to reduce sleep quality.
关掉电视机和电脑—这类刺激会在大脑，在理应得到放松的时候，让大脑保持警惕。此外这些刺激已被证实会降低睡眠质量。

Prep the Bedroom Atmosphere
营造卧室氛围

Remove the electronics – Shut off the TV and remove computers and other electronic devices from your bedroom. They tempt you to engage in non-restful activities and keep you awake. The bedroom is for sleep, not work and surfing the internet.
搬走电子设备—关掉电视，把电脑和其它电子设备从你卧室里搬出去。它们不会让你得到好好的宁静的休息，反而让你清醒着。卧室是用来睡觉的，不是办公也不是上网的地方。 

Keep cool – You fall asleep faster and sleep better if the bedroom is cooler. A lower room temperature lowers core body temp, and helps you go to sleep.
温度低一点—如果卧室温度低一点，那你能更快入梦，睡眠质量也会更好。卧室里的温度低一点可以降低身体活动的温度，从而有助你入睡。

Dim the lights – Light, even a small amount interferes with sleep hormones and stimulates the brain. Wear an eye mask if necessary or turn the alarm clock around.
调暗灯光—光线，即使是一点点也会干扰睡眠激素，从而刺激到大脑。如果可以的话，戴眼罩或者调整一下闹钟。

Turn it down – Eliminate noise, or alternatively if you find noise soothing or need to block noise you can’t control, choose calming sounds such white noise or ocean sounds. Wearing earplugs can also help block unwanted noise.
调低音量—消除噪声，或者你觉得这些响声并不影响到你，又或者你需要屏蔽那些你不能忍受的响声，那就选择那些减压音效，比如白噪声或大海的声音。戴上耳塞同样也能屏蔽那些你不想听到的响声。

Aromatherapy – Aromatherapy sooths the body and have a calming effect. There are many scents available that can help you to relax and prepare for sleep, vanilla, lavender, marjoram, sandalwood are just a few examples. Use on your pillow, in the air or in the bath.
芳香疗法—可以让身体得到放松并有镇静作用。有很多种芳香可以帮你放松和入睡，比如说香草、薰衣草、马郁兰和檀香这几种。可以把它们装进枕头里，或是散发在空气中，又或是在洗浴室。

The Fall Asleep Fast Bedtime Routine
快速入梦的就寝时间

Same time every day – Start your bedtime routine at the same time each day and maintain a regular sleep time. It helps condition your body to fall asleep faster by creating a sleep habit and setting your circadian rhythm.
每天的同一时刻—在每天的同一时刻开始就寝，并保持这个时间点。它会通过创造一个睡眠习惯和设定生理节律帮你调整出一个快速入睡的状态。

Try a bath – Take a warm bath before bedtime. It can help you relax and raising the body temperature, then cooling it in a low temperature room helps you to fall asleep faster.
洗个澡—睡前洗个热水澡。它能让你得到放松，还能提升身体温度。然后到一个温度低一点的房间里慢慢变凉就能帮你快速入睡了。

Soothing beverage – Herbal tea or a glass of milk also relax the body and help you wind down.
舒缓的饮料—花草茶或者一杯牛奶同样让你的身体得到放松，让你平静下来。

Read – Read an entertaining or boring book. It helps to get your mind of worries and your to-do list. Stay away from stimulating or self-help books though; they rev up your brain.
阅读—读一读有趣的或是无聊的书，让你的脑子放空焦虑和日常安排工作。远离那些激励的书籍和自主手册，因为它们会让你的大脑再度工作起来。

Relax your body – try yoga or gentle stretching. Do progressive relaxation; tighten each muscle for a count of ten and then release. It will relax your body and minimize muscle aches and pains.
放松身体—试试瑜伽或者轻柔的拉伸运动。放松要循序渐进，在保持肌肉紧张的同时，数十下，然后放松。它能让你的身体得到放松，并尽可能减少肌肉的损伤和疼痛。

Relax your mind – Journal to let go of worry and busy thoughts. Try visualizing soothing images such clouds or a peaceful place; a garden or field or beach, whatever soothes you. It helps quiet the mind and release anxious thoughts.
放松大脑—放下烦恼和繁忙的思想。试着想象舒缓的图像，比如云朵或是一处宁静的地方：花园、田野或沙滩，只要能让你放松就可以。它让大脑得到清静，并释放焦虑的想法。

Quality bedding – Get a comfortable, supportive mattress. It’s worth the investment, as you spend one third of your life in bed. Use comfortable soft sheets and comforter. Smooth, quality bedding helps sooth and relax your body to fall asleep faster.
好质量的床上用品—买一张舒适可靠的床垫。这份投资很值得，因为你要花你人生的三分之一时间在床上。使用柔软舒适的床单和被子。质地光滑、质量上乘的床上用品可以让你的身体得到放松，有助于你快速入睡。

Comfortable clothing – Wear loose, light, cool pajamas. Cotton works best as it minimizes nighttime seating. Alternatively, sleep without pajamas if it makes you more comfortable. Binding or hot PJs make for restless and uncomfortable sleep.
舒适的衣服—穿宽松、轻薄和凉爽的睡衣。棉料的最好。或者，不穿睡衣裸睡，如果这样让你觉得更舒服的话。紧身的和不宜散热的睡衣会让你焦躁不安。

Watch your posture – Sleep position matters. Find a comfortable sleep position that supports good sleep posture. Make sure every part of your body is comfortable. Buy a good quality pillow that supports your neck and properly aligns your body. Side positions are usually better, but if back works for you that’s fins. Lie in the same position every night, so your body becomes accustomed to falling asleep in the same way.
留意你的睡姿—睡姿很重要。找到一种安心睡觉的舒适睡姿。确保身体的每一部分都要舒服。买一个好一点的枕头支撑你的脖子。侧睡通常更好，但是如果背部靠床对你来说也可以的话，那也没事。每晚保持同一睡姿，那么你的身体会慢慢地习惯这一方式。