Why can’t we fall asleep on command?
I seem to hear from a variety of people that they struggle to fall asleep at night; but the difficult to fall asleep sounds like an evolutionary downside. Even as hunter-gatherers, being able to sleep whenever and wherever sounds like it would be an advantage.
Is it a recent product of modern times and people didn’t actually struggle with it a while back? In which case, what of modern life is causing this? If not, what is the evolutionary advantage of not falling asleep easily?
You are viewing a single comment
I'd love to be able to sleep on command.
Usually I need to take a melatonin pill after tossing and turning before I get some sleep.
I've learned to fall asleep much faster as I've gotten older. I turn the tv off, put down my phone, get as comfortable as i can, and relax each body part for 3 breaths starting at my feet.
I tend to read e-books a bit to relax, but I read them from my phone and I think having the screen on causes sleeplessness. Vicious cycle!
Melatonin is a lot stronger than a lot of folks realize.
Drugstores will sell you a 10mg melatonin tablet that utterly crushes your endogenous production.
0.5mg taken earlier in the night may be plenty for many people.