I’m Soooo Tired!

Our Boomerful.com New Products Editor, Mary Kellenberger, has these thoughts to share about getting a good night's sleep (she must be tired from trying out all those new products!).

by Mary Kellenberger

Yes, I'm tired – and it’s no wonder! I’m in the throes of menopause and my sleep-promoting hormones – estrogen and progesterone – are abandoning me.

I just get into the middle of a nice little dream and along comes a major hot flash, jolting me out of my sweet slumber. I end up in the living rooms of the “Nick at Night” families because I’m now wide awake! If I don’t choose to watch the one-thousandth rerun of The Cosby Show, I end up in the “middle-of-the-late-night-bottomless-bin-of-worries-about-everything-in-my-life-that-could-go-wrong” …but probably won’t. Unfortunately, the “probably won’t” realization never hits until I’m up-and-around the next day.

Is anybody out there? Should we be sharing meaningful conversations at 2:15 a.m. or is there a better solution?

Our friends at RealAge.com have some good tips on overcoming sleep-deprivation without spending money or taking drugs. Some of these simple, common sense suggestions that could make a difference are:

Don’t…

• consume caffeine, nicotine, or alcohol too close to bedtime
• watch television right before going to bed
• eat or drink two to three hours before bedtime
• go to bed before you are sleepy
• exercise too close to bedtime

Do…

• use your bedroom only for sleep
• exercise regularly, preferably in the morning or early afternoon
• keep a regular bedtime and waking time, even on the weekends
• create a relaxing bedtime routine, such as taking a leisurely stroll, soaking in a tub, listening to soothing music, or massaging your legs or feet before bed
• practice relaxation techniques, such as progressive muscle relaxation therapy, guided imagery, and deep breathing exercises
• create a comfortable environment that is conducive to sleep by eliminating uncomfortable bedding, wearing loose clothing, keeping the bedroom temperature slightly cool, and eliminating any bothersome noise or light

All this advice seems to make sense – except for the part about giving up my cup of chocolate/almond chip ice cream at 10 p.m. I’ll just have to eat it earlier.

Comments

[Barbara Worton]

Hi, I write myself to sleep. I call the technique sleepwriting. I start with the first words that pop into my head and write without editing myself for three pages. My newly released book Bedtime Stories: The short, long and tall tales of a sleepwriter explains the technique and includes a collection of the stories I've sleepwritten over the years. The technique really works for me. It quiets my mind and brings me closer to my self so that I can hear my own voice. I slip into a deep sleep and awaken full of energy and bursting with the confidence of having connected to my inner self.