Can you just “fall asleep?”

[Soubriquet]

My dh can.

One minute we can be watching a film and the next he’s out

I can’t. No matter how tired I am, I can’t just fall asleep.

I have to get comfy, shuffle about, toss and turn about 50 times and then start to pretend to dream.

I fall asleep as soon as I lie down. Put a film on and I don't see the opening credits.

No, but DH does; I find it infuriating, and I am very jealous

I never used to, from the age of 12 until about 25 I had terrible insomnia, occasionally I get bouts of it but I'm pretty good now. Watching a film, chilling on the couch etc I can nod off if I'm not careful. When it comes to going to bed , I read for half an hour to switch my mind off. I put my book down and that's it I'm off. I find I need something to distract my mind or else I ponder things too much

Nope. Have been an insomniac at times in my life. I currently don’t think I am that bad but I probably take 30-60 mins after lights out in bed to fall asleep. I cannot sleep sitting up so never fall asleep watching a film or travelling. Planes can be torture if travelling for longer periods.

DH takes about 3-5 mins.

Nope, no way.
In the same way I have never (well, except as a baby) managed to fall asleep on planes, trains or in cars 😭

I wish I could! DH just says Night Night and that’s it, fast asleep, like turning a switch. I like to think not being able to fall asleep at will is a sign of intelligence.

No I can't. I need to be comfy and have a duvet wrapped round me. I also can't fall asleep in a chair.
Dh can sleep anywhere within 5mins.

No I’ve never slept on planes etc

Awful when we were travelling at night (which my parents preferred as it meant we had a full day there the next day).

Easy enough for them. I used to watch them as they were out for the count whilst I just sat there feeling knackered but can’t sleep

I can. I once fell asleep in a nightclub. I was running it at the time.

Yep. Within minutes. Even when I am really stressed/upset.

Yes. My husband reckons my average time from na-night, head on the pillow, is about 35-40 seconds.

No. I suffer from bouts of insomnia. I sometimes go quite easily but more often take hours and hours of thrashing round before I pass out.

Nah.Dh could fall asleep on a washing line it takes me at least 30 mins to fall asleep.

Yes on the sofa, no going to bed in toss and turn for ages

Those who can, any tips?

I am reliant on sleeping tablets and have been for 2 years. Literally can’t sleep unless I take them

Yes. Anytime anyplace.

I used to have the best naps in maths lessons.

Yes, I get into bed, get comfy and sleep within a few minutes. I don’t know what I do to get to sleep, it just happens. It must be horrible to have trouble sleeping, you have my sympathy

Sometimes if I’m really anxious I can’t and toss and turn a while, but mostly I can. If I’m watching a film with DH I guarantee the minute I cuddle him I’ll fall asleep (within minutes) and when I go to bed I just shut my eyes and doze off.

It varies with me. Some days I can sleep as soon as my head hits the pillow, other days I can be up till early hours just worrying about stuff. I'd say at least 2 nights a week I struggle.

I can! Sadly my children have not inherited this trait.

No, I have to be actively trying to fall asleep. I dont have insomnia but I definitely have to be trying. Don't think I've ever dozed off without meaning to in my life!

No and I'm very envious of those who can be reading a book in bed, lights on and then nod off book in hand. DH I'm looking at you.

I have a whole routine I have to go through before I give myself 'permission' to fall asleep. Never have slept well even as a baby I drove DM to the edge with my refusal to fall asleep (apparently).

PLEASE someone tell us how you do it?

I am exhausted tonight but it will still take me ages to nod off.

I can. I once fell asleep leaning over at a 90 degree angle on some plastic chairs at a ferry port

I don’t have any special secret, other than I’m generally happiest horizontal, but when I was pregnant I couldn’t sleep for shit and I found meditations really helpful. Get some Bluetooth headband headphones so you’re comfy and have a look at one of the apps - I like Breethe and Insight Timer. There’s absolutely loads of meditations geared towards sleep. I used to need one which was at least 40 minutes or I wouldn’t have long enough to drift off. A word of warning, if you’re not used to meditations it will take some time and some practice before you start to feel any difference so don’t give up if you think you’re not getting it. I got to a point where I could literally feel myself relaxing and starting to drift off, it’s the most amazing feeling. Also, I’m the least lentil weavery person in the world so don’t feel like that’s a barrier.

Nope but like your DH, my OH does! Soon as his head hits that pillow he's gone. I toss and turn, think I can hear something so check the kids and even though I have a wee right before getting into bed, I can't sleep until I've had another one. So annoying!