I’m not an insomniac by a long shot (if you are one- I offer you my deepest sympathies times 1000%). But, I don’t sleep like I used to. Since having a child and taking on a high-stress job, my nighttime hours are short and crammed with vivid dreams. I feel like my body is betraying me! Sleep is the Benedict Arnold of my life! And as I lay there, all I can think is…ok if I go to sleep now, I still can get 4 hours…3 hours and etc.
I was recently at medical conference where the speaker stated that sleep is something that is really difficult to analyze. When people go to a sleep study they aren’t in their normal environment and they have wires and leads all over so I’m assuming it is not a comfortable night. The information obtained is scarce and non-natural. He also mentioned that with all of the personal fitness trackers out there- that sleep may have much more information in a few years since most of these devices record sleep information. So there’s that hopeful piece at least!
Here is what I do when I cannot sleep. I’m not saying this is scientific data or anything of the like! I am not reinventing the wheel. Just some helpful hints that maybe can assist someone out there that is going through the same things as me!
Tip 1– Get up! I know, I know strange right? I mean, I’m trying to sleep correct? But this works. If my mind is in serious “running through my day and running through the next day” mode, I get out of bed. I make lists if I need to, and sometimes I even clean (this is my go-to activity that relieves my stress).
Tip 2– Read. If you have glanced at my library section of the blog you will see that I love to read! Sometimes, reading a few chapters (or 10) does make me tired enough where I can drift off. I also love movies and TV and sometimes these can help too. But for me, sometimes I get so interested in the story, I end up more awake. So that one can be a gamble.
Tip 3– Snack. I mostly go for a beverage. I don’t drink coffee (gasp) and plus that’s a stimulant so I usually go for water, seltzer or lemon decaf tea. Just a little something. Some people like warm milk (eww that is so gross to me) but go for what works for you.
Tip 4– Body relax mode. So I remember in health class one year in high school our teacher did one of those relaxing seminars. She talked really softly and had us visualize soothing thoughts etc. All I recall about that day was a class (ages 16 and 17) completely calm. And after the bell rang and we had to go about the rest of the day- I felt great. So I do this for myself. I lie in bed very still, and start to think of something positive and airy. I also MAKE my body start to relax- and I do this head to toe. I get very basic. Relax your scalp, now your cheeks, now your jaw (whoa do I clench up without even knowing it), now your neck…and so on and so forth. Works like a charm!
I hope sleep does not elude you and if it starts to, I hope this list can help you out! We all need good ZZZs!