SLEEP

[Doolhof]

Hi All,

In the past there may have been threads on sleep and how to improve our quality of sleep.

I am starting this thread up and hope to include past thread titles.

For some of us sleep is a real issue, the more we can learn about it the better informed we will be.

Funny stories on weird places you have fallen asleep are welcome as well.

For me, I had just moved house and was very busy getting everything organised. Friends invited me to the drag races. I was so tired and exhausted that I sat down, leant against the fence right near the starting line and fell asleep for most of the evening.

Hope to read some of your stories and tips.

Cheerio for now, from Mrs. Dools

[Doolhof]

Hi Pet,

Thanks for the best wishes with the operation. It will be lovely to be able to breathe properly again and hopefully improve my sleep. Need to work more on my back pain as well...

My mobile phone does not work in our house, nor do a lot of other people's phones due to being in a bit of a black spot for reception. There are only certain places in the house where the phone works...sometimes!

I like your idea of phones being left aside for family time.

Cheers for now from Mrs. Dools

[Doolhof]

Hi Music Freak,

I'm really sorry to read that your sleep is so disturbed and short. It does sound like you have been trying a lot of different strategies to try and help yourself.

Is there a reason why you don't feel like taking your sleeping medication? If you have taken them in the past, do they help you? Would it be beneficial to take them say every second night for a week to see if they help to make a difference? I suppose your Dr. has suggested the best way to take them.

Stress is more my thing than anxiety! Would you like to share how your anxiety affects you in the night and maybe myself and others might be able to offer some suggestions. I guess you have tried lots of things yourself already!

One of my clients told me she suffers from anxiety at night. She keeps a torch next to her bed. When she wakes up feeling anxious, she will turn the torch on, look around her room, see there is nothing there to concern her, tells herself it is her thoughts bothering her, reads for a while and then goes back to sleep.

Napping: I have read some reports where people say not to do it at all and others recommend a 15 to 30 minute nap during the day if you need it.

I might do a bit more research about this. For me, there are some days where I am so tired I feel like I can't think straight. I have a nap for a while (sometimes a long while. Ha. Ha.) then I am able to function and think clearly and have the energy to do stuff.

For me a nap works better than trying to push through when I have no energy for anything. I don't do this every day but when I feel it is required.

Everybody is different, hopefully you will find a way that works for you, even if it is taking the sleeping pills now and then or as you Dr. has recommended.

All the best to you, hope you find ways to cope with your anxiety, it will be interesting to hear your thoughts on all of this.

Cheers for now from Mrs. Dools

[Music_Freak]

It's the morning fog that I hate, I have a hard enough time waking up without the medication hangover. I have taken them at around 9pm and that seems to help with that. I might try the every second night thing you mentioned.

I have stress about my finances of late, it's brutal. I keep wondering how I'm meant to pay the bills that come, when I can barely afford the ones I already have! Ugh!!

I might take my meds over the weekend and see how I go. I have to take Buddy (my cat) to the vet early tomorrow morning, so I can't be foggy.

I hope something helps...

Naps are wonderful...great for forgetting too 🙂

[Ed209]

Thanks for a great thread and so many useful suggestions. Sleep is vital for great mental health, with no sleep or broken sleep the problems of the day seem to be accentuated.

It doesn't always work but here's what I have done:

1. Set my iPhone and iPad to Night Shift (screens are terrible for the brain when trying to sleep, but if you absolutely have to use them, then this could help. It tones down the blue spectrum which stimulates your brain to stay awake) To activate: Settings >> Display and Brightness >> Night Shift

2. Bought a bedside light with feature to tone down the blue spectrum light. (Lumière: EYE PROTECTION LAMP)

3. Downloaded You Tube videos of Guided Meditation for Before Sleep. Hundreds of these find one that's suitable.

4. Download iPhone App: Storms Free. The white noise of wind and rain helps me to stop the busy thinking and relax into sleep.

5. Take Valerian, only when everything else is not working. Doesn't work for everyone, but it does for me. It is not a sleeping pill, but calms the busy mind to allow you to fall asleep naturally.

6. If sleep is not coming I go for a walk (20min) and when I return home relax for half an hour and then go to bed again.

Thanks again for the other great suggestions.

Ed

[blondguy]

Hi Music_Freak..I hear you about the broken sleeps..they can really leave us wrecked the next day..

Hello Ed..Welcome and some great ideas 🙂 I knew a psychologist years ago and I asked him how he treated people with insomnia....he replied "thats easy..I just tell them to try and stay awake..they never can" Unusual method but simple!

[Doolhof]

Hi Everyone,

I've been away from the computer for a little while having a sinus and nose op. I am hoping improved breathing will help me to sleep better. Once the nose is clear it will be wonderful.

Thanks ED for your contributions, very helpful information. We actually live in an area where it is very windy, I sleep a lot better when I have the window open and can listen to the sounds of the wind and nature.

I grew up near the sea, the sound of the ocean soothes me as well. I had a CD with ocean sounds I used to put on to help me sleep. One time on holidays, I was lying on a beach and the sound of the waves helped me drift off into a peaceful sleep. My friends didn't know how long they should let me sleep for! Ha. Ha.

Paul, that is an interesting thought, to try to stay awake to beat insomnia. In a hospital ward it is very easy to stay awake if you want to or not. Ha. Ha.

Music_Freak I certainly understand the stress and feelings of despair not being able to pay for bills. My husband has not worked for over tow years and couldn't even get a job packing shelves at the supermarket. With my health concerns I can not work full time.

Can you seek help with financial advice from your bank, maybe the council could provide some advice on where to go for help, or an agency like the Salvos might be off benefit for advice.

Being able to talk about our problems, troubles and issues with someone can benefit greatly and help to release the tension and worry we feel about our concerns. The less stress we have, the better we should all be able to sleep.

Cheers for now from Mrs. Dools

[Petra]

Hi Mrs Dools

Noticed you visited the cafe recently and left some goodies. Thank you.

How are you feeling? Not too sore in the head and face I hope? Are you sleeping better at all after the op? I don't think it's been a week since but are there signs of improvement?

I've been sleeping reasonably well. Work is extremely busy and if I work both mentally and physically, I'm a better sleeper.

Take care.

Pet xx

[Doolhof]

Hi Pet and Everyone,

It will be a week tomorrow since the sinus op. I am not supposed to blow my nose until I see the specialist again on the 9th. If I can breathe through my nose I certainly sleep a lot better than trying to breathe through my mouth.

I am going to be so happy to be able to blow my nose! I will be posting that on the "three things to be thankful for thread". Ha. Ha.

Going for a walk in the afternoon thinking over stuff from the day in a positive manner helps me to let go of issues, enabling me to sleep better as well.

Letting go of frustrations long before bed time is very beneficial if possible.

Sleep tight all!

[blondguy]

I hope you are reasonably okay with your recovery Mrs Dools...(Hugs)...Paulxx

[Petra]

Mrs Dools!

You cant blow your nose until you see the specialist again! Sounds funny but please do refrain from doing so as it must be terribly important that you don't! I hope you get to the 9/8 without experiencing too much discomfort.

I don't get colds often like some, but when I do unfortunately pick up a bug, I end up with sinus infection and it's a pain.....not just for me but more so for those around me!! 😐

Wishing a speedy recovery for you sweet and fabulous sleep!

Pet xx