Many people have issues with sleep.
Having trouble sleeping?
If you're having trouble sleeping, give my tips a try!
Suggestions for Better Sleep
Minimize or Avoid Stimulants
· Avoid alcohol (wine, beer and hard liquor) within 3 hours of bedtime. · Avoid caffeine-containing beverages or foods after 2 pm; if sensitive to caffeine, avoid it after 12 noon. These items include Pepsi, Coke, Mountain Dew; tea, coffee, lattes, and chocolate; coffee- or espresso-containing ice creams or desserts). Read the labels of everything you eat and drink. · Avoid Sudafed or other decongestant cold medicines at night. · Some medications may have stimulating effects. Consult your pharmacist and M.D. to determine whether any of them might be contributing to sleep problems. Do not discontinue them without permission from your M.D.. · Complete any aerobic exercise before 6 pm (or at least 3 hours before bedtime).
Nighttime Tension and Anxiety
Avoid anxiety-provoking activities close to bedtime:
· Avoid reading or watching the news at least 4 hours before going to bed.
· Avoid reading stimulating, exciting materials in bed.
· Avoid paying bills before bed.
· Avoid checking your financial reports or the stock market before bedtime.
· Avoid arguments before bedtime.
· Schedule difficult conversations well before bedtime—preferably at least 3 hours before.
· Try to achieve some action plan or resolution of a discussion or argument before trying to go to sleep.
Sleep Planning and Bedroom Preparation
· Plan your sleep by putting it into your schedule; plan for 7½ to 9 hours in bed. · As much as possible, go to sleep and wake up at the same time each day. This will help train your biological clock. · Avoid getting in bed after midnight as late-hour sleep is not as helpful as earlier sleep. · Avoid late afternoon or evening naps. · Avoid naps longer than 45 minutes unless you are sick or quite sleep deprived. · Avoid large meals or spicy foods before bed. · Finish all eating 3 hours prior to going to sleep. · Avoid drinking more than 4-8 ounces of fluid 2 hours before going to bed. Strategies to use with Trouble Falling Asleep or Staying Asleep · Consider reading a good neutral book under low light to help with falling asleep.
If you have issues falling asleep or wake with stressful thoughts dominating your mind - keep a notebook by your bed. Write down everything that goes through your mind. Don't read it then. When you feel like your mind has stopped and you feel drowsy, try to go to sleep again. Getting it down on paper can relieve the stress and anxiety. (My fav tip!) · Don’t stay in bed more than 20-30 minutes trying to fall asleep. Leave your bedroom and go to a relaxing room other than the bedroom and read or do a relaxation technique (i.e., meditation.) · If you awaken early because of light, put a dark covering over your eyes. · If you awaken early because of recurrent thoughts, try writing them in a journal. If this does not help, consider counseling. Depression might be a factor. Bedroom Air Quality · Keep your bedroom air clean, especially if you have nasal congestion or are prone to snoring. Use HEPA or other types of air purifiers/filters to clean the air in your bedroom. Use the filter on a low setting at night if the noise is soothing. Otherwise use the filter on a medium setting for 4-6 hours during the day. · Consider cleaning the vents in your house once a year; change your furnace filters every 3 months. · Avoid toxic glues or other items producing an odor. · If you see mold or have a musty smell in your bedroom, have it checked or cultured for mold with culture plates. If there is mold, have the house evaluated for water leaks and air quality issues to be fixed and see that the mold is cleaned appropriately. · If your nose is blocked up and you have trouble breathing through it, take the above steps and consider using a saline spray before bed. Also consider Breathe-Easy strips on your nose. Make sure you read the instructions and fit them over the lower third of your nose. Light, Noise, Temperature, and Environmental Issues · Turn down the light in the bathroom and in rooms you are in 1.5 hours before going to bed. · Decrease the light in your bedroom by using a dimmer or a reading light with a dimmer. Or get a salt lamp but you shouldn't try to read with the salt lamp as your only light. · Use dark window shades or consider a set of eye shades or a black covering for your eyes when trying to sleep or if you awaken too early because of light. · Decrease irritating noises in your space by closing windows, using ear plugs, or using a white noise generator or a HEPA air filter. · Turn off or remove any appliances or clocks that make noise. · Make sure your sleeping area is the correct temperature range (not too hot or too cold). The optimal is between 63 and 68 degrees. · Avoid sleeping near electric fields. Try to have your head at least 5 feet away from electric fields, if possible. Possible sources of electrical fields include: electrical outlets, clock radios, stereos, computers and monitors. Consider moving these devices or moving your bed or your position in the bed. Consider using a Tri Field or other meter to test for these fields. · Avoid sleeping on a water bed or an electric mattress because of the excessive heat and the electric fields. · Consider replacing your pillows with hypoallergenic pillows. Use Ultrafine allergy pillow and mattress covers.
Further Strategies for Dealing with Nighttime Tension
and Anxiety
· Avoid repeated negative judgments about the fact that you are unable to sleep. · Use positive self-talk phrases regarding your ability to relax and fall asleep: “I can fall asleep.” “I can relax.” “Any amount of sleep I get is just fine.” · Try writing in your journal any disturbing thoughts that are running through your mind. A good practice is - 1 hour before bedtime make a to-do list for yourself and thank yourself for getting everything done. · Schedule a time within the next few days to deal with whatever you are troubled by. If you are having trouble managing your concerns for more than a few weeks, consult with us for treatment suggestions. Bedding and Pillows · Consider using a “side sleeper” pillow for under your neck when sleeping on your side · Consider using a body pillow to hug and put between your knees to align your back and shoulders at night. · Roll backwards at a slight angle onto a body pillow if you have hip bursitis. Supplements and Light · Consider taking your magnesium before bedtime. · Consider ½ hour exposure of a blue or 10,000 lux bright light - sunlight without sunglasses on first thing in the morning if you are going to bed too late and want to go to bed earlier.