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 Rufio, Paul and Everyone,

After a day of working I do tend to sleep better, same with reading before I go to bed. That has been helping me to drift off lately.

For me, not drinking too much after 7.00 p.m. helps too, only because I am having a bit of a problem with my kidneys and bladder at present. Nothing worse than having to get up two or three times in the night to pee.

No wonder people used to have chamber pots (actually yuck...what a horrid idea) Ha. Ha. Be okay if you had servants!

Cheers all from Dools

[rufio]

im big on willpower so i think my problem is getting over tired and trying to force it. so relaxing and resting when i feel it, is working well. and yes the exercise and keeping busy

[blondguy]

Hi ewrc

I do understand what you are saying about sleep and everybody is different of course....

After over 30 years of anxiety/depression.....Sleep is my safe place...(took a while though)

Welcome to you EWRC

my kind thoughts

Paul

[Werehappylittlevegemites]

I use to think the same. But now I welcome sleep with open arms - but sleep rarely comes to me. Lack of sleep has deminished my concentration and my sanity - doctors don't want to treat me as they don't like providing sleeping pills to younger people and psychologists don't help. No yoga, no meditation, no water helps.

My life is lacking quality because of this. What to do? Any pointers?

[Ponder]

Two books that helped improve the quality of me sleep:

1. Sound Asleep: The Expert Guide to Sleeping Well - by Christopher Idzikowski
2. The Sleep Diet Kindle Edition - by Carmel Harrington

I've only just moved into my own room after sleeping with my wife for the last 26+ years and must say what a relife it's been for the both of us.

[Doolhof]

Hi Ponder,

Thanks for sharing the book titles.

Happy Little Vegemite, hope you have had a read of some of the suggestions already made on this post and have found ideas that will help you.

You may be able to borrow some books on sleep, download information or ask a Dr for advice other than oils if they seem reluctant to prescribe you any.

[purpleskyy]

ugghhhhhh sleeeepppp.....One of many things i can't do. With me, either I fall asleep quickly, have terrible dreams, and wake up heaps in the middle of the night, or I lie for hours thinking about every huge or tiny thing that is wrong in my life, and get no sleep at all! :'(

[Guest_1055]

Hi all,

I have been working on improving my eating and exercise habits. And now I am ready to face this one. The sleeping habit. I don't have any set time I go to bed, just go whenever I feel like. I rarely wake-up refreshed. Anyway I am know going to read this thread to see what others are doing and also do my own research on this.

[Elizabeth CP]

We seem to be on the same page (or I'm stalking you!!!) Like you I have tried to tackle my eating/ binging habits & have got down to my goal weight. I still need to tone up & still struggle with the odd binge but doing much better. The over eating & overweight also had a bad impact on sleep. I have been trying to exercise/ walk regularly & have definitely improved. Unfortunately sleep & fatigue are major problems. Yesterday I saw my psychiatrist & discussed this among other things. I have struggled with fatigue for a long time & hoped the exercise & diet would help. I often have trouble sleeping particularly in summer because it is hot so I need less bed clothes to be comfortable & I often use the fan to cool the room but find that dries my nose & make a noise which interrupts sleep. Even when I do sleep I wake up tired & can't ever catch up on lost sleep. The psych said that the fatigue & poor sleep could be symptoms of depression & suggested ADs which I refused as my past history with them has been bad. The side effects make me worse. Last night I tried a sleeping tablet & did sleep better but still feel tired. I am going to try to sleep better for a week & deliberately sleep in rather than getting up early to do things to see if that helps. I find so many contradictions making it hard to know what is right eg:

Relax & avoid doing too much to allow the body & mind to recuperate versus Exercise & move about regularly so you are tired when you go to bed & sleep better.

Take a sleeping tablet for short periods to get back into good sleeping habits.versus Avoid sleeping tablets at all costs as they don't give you a proper sleep & ere bad for you.

Push yourself to do things so you feel good about what you are doing rather than feeling useless versus Be kind to yourself & allow time to recover physically & mentally.

Has anyone got ideas how to decide what is right at any given time to give yourelf the best chance of getting the rest you need so you can get back to being more effective. Suggestions VERY welcome

[Doolhof]

Hi Elizabeth,

It certainly can be confusing trying to work out what is best when it comes to sleeping.

From what I understand, it is good to get some sunshine during the day and to exercise, then in the evening maybe do some stretching or meditating, read before going to be and write down any unhelpful thoughts about an hour or so before you go to bed so you are not over thinking.

My Dr has given me pills to help me sleep and tells me they are not habit forming. I only take them when I am desperate for a decent night's sleep.

I also find a shower before bed helps me to settle.

Hope some of this helps you Elizabeth!

Cheers from Dools