Nov 152 min read

How to fall asleep instead of passing out

For years, I had no energy. I thought I was just run-down, maybe burning out, or simply “getting older.” I couldn’t find an answer no matter how much I slept, how much caffeine I drank, or how early I went to bed. It turns out, it had very little to do with how much sleep I was getting. In reality I wasn’t sleeping the right way, and this was revelation that unlocked a key component of my healing.

It might sound strange, but the way you fall asleep matters. When you drift into sleep gradually, your body moves naturally through all the stages of sleep.

But if you’re pushing yourself to the point where you crash from sheer exhaustion or rely on things like alcohol or other sedatives to knock you out, you’re skipping out on essential parts of sleep. These methods might put you to sleep, but they rob you of the full quality your body needs to truly recharge. It’s like getting a meal without any nutrients—just filling up, not truly nourishing yourself.

For a long time, I made the mistake of pushing myself to my limits, barely getting to bed before I passed out. I’d wake up in a fog, feeling as though I hadn’t slept at all. Over time, I learned that true rest means finding a routine that lets my mind and body ease into sleep rather than crash into it. Small changes—like going to bed a little earlier, even before I felt utterly spent, and setting up a regular sleep schedule—made a difference I could actually feel.

If you’re struggling with mental health challenges, good sleep is even more crucial. When we’re low on rest, the part of our brain that helps us manage emotions—the prefrontal cortex—takes the biggest hit. You may find yourself reacting more strongly, feeling impulsive or ungrounded, which only adds to the stress.

Good sleep can be a shield, giving you a steadier foundation to face whatever life brings.

I’ve shared more insights on what helped me move from restless, zombie-like days to feeling truly awake. You can check out my video below where I discuss building healthier sleep habits.