Stress Center Peer Support

I'm wondering how long it normally takes a person to fall asleep once they are lying down comfortably, have their eyes closed, and their mind calm. I seem to get to a certain point and then my mind starts to race again and I have to calm down again. I know everybody is different, but does anyone know if any research has been done on this? For me, I'd say it would take at least 10 minutes before I fall asleep.

I don't know what the "normal" time it should take to fall asleep but I would consider you incredibly lucky to be able to fall asleep in 10 minutes.

I also have problems getting to sleep. I wondered if it had anything to do with aging?

I have had many problems with insomnia from anxiety, and my last therapist actually worked at a sleep clinic. She said if you fall asleep too fast, you are actually over-tired and 10-15 minutes or so was pretty normal. She once gave me a chart of how sleep times differed at different ages...I probably could find it if I looked hard enough if you would like.

Personally, I use the relaxation tape every night. That is about 15 minutes long, and many nights (but not always) I am dozing off by the end.

For some odd reason, my reply didn't post, but what I said was that you are doing great to fall asleep within 10 minutes. I think your mind and body is getting settled in and that is about how long probably takes to get focused on going to sleep. I don't experience that problem. Most of the time I lay down and within minutes I am asleep (if not seconds!)
So I think you are falling asleep at the normal amount of time.
Enjoy your sleep tonite!!

The average person takes 7 minutes to fall asleep. It usually takes me about 15 minutes if I am calm. If I find I can't sleep, I just get up and go do something because if I lay there, I will just get anxiety about having a sleepless night.