Are you suffering from insomnia?
I see her every morning. She has a cute face that will never age and in her mid thirties. She is not one for flowing skirts but for tight skirts and body-hugging blouses. She is the only one who speaks me not in dialects but in perfect Mandarin. So, yours truly has to brush up on oral Mandarin.
Pic courtesy of benzo.org.com.uk
She is always bubbly but takes life very seriously. Recently however I realize she is not quite herself. More subdued, bags around her eyes and nodding off to sleep but never quite sleeping. I was worried about her, but I am not the type to pry although I think I am a good listener.
“I haven’t been able to sleep. I toss around the whole night. My mum is also like that. I have tried everything. I go for long walks, have a glass of milk before sleep, count sheep and even tried self hypnosis. I simply cannot sleep. The doctor recommended me a food supplement to help me sleep but it just doesn’t work,” she said as if she read my mind.
I have the same problem too. I have spent days without fitful sleep and I always feel exhausted during those times. Are you like me trying to sleep but cannot. I am blogging now simply because I cannot sleep. I decided to check the web for insomnia.
Do you suffer from insomnia too?
…………………………………………………………………………..
Insomnia is a sleep disorder that is characterized by difficulty falling and/or staying asleep. People with insomnia have one or more of the following symptoms:
Difficulty falling asleep
Waking up often during the night and having trouble going back to sleep
Waking up too early in the morning
Feeling tired upon waking
Check to see if you are displaying symptoms of insomnia
Sleepiness during the day/General tiredness/Irritability/Problems with concentration or memory
How to counter the problem?
Try to go to sleep at the same time each night and get up at the same time each morning. Try not to take naps during the day because naps may make you less sleepy at night.
Avoid caffeine, nicotine, and alcohol late in the day.
Get regular exercise. Try not to exercise close to bedtime.
Don’t eat a heavy meal late in the day. A light snack before bedtime, however, may help you sleep.
Make your sleeping place comfortable.
Follow a routine to help you relax before sleep. Read a book, listen to music, or take a bath.
Avoid using your bed for anything other than sleep or sex.
If you still cannot sleep, get up and read or do something that is not overly stimulating until you feel sleepy.
If you find yourself lying awake worrying about things, try making a to-do list before you go to bed. This may help you to not focus on those worries overnight.
I sleep like a log hence I was nickname ‘Chu-chu’ by my hubby. He is forever envious of my sleep ability. I can fall asleep almost anywhere.
There’s one time long ago while we were still dating, I nodded off while sipping my drink - with the straw still in my mouth. LOL.
Sorry, I can’t help in this dept. But I do use one method mentioned on your post ie. reading, I read something before bed - mostly books. It helps.
Btw, my hubby faces the same prob too - but, I bet it’s because he didn’t adjust his body clock properly and likes to take looooong naps in the afternoon esp. during weekends. I don’t like afternoon naps.
I sleep like a log and can fall asleep anywhere too. Reading always making me fall asleep easily. That is a habit of mine which I developed since ages ago. I read somewhere that reading before you sleep is like telling your body that you are preparing to go to bed.
I usually sleep around 1-2am (which is not healthy) and wake up at 9-10am (which is not good too) but my body is used to it. Only mum complains a lot. LOL!
If it started recently, perhaps there might be something worrying you?
Clare,Kleio : I will consider what you wrote
Dr. Bernard : It’s over now …, i submitted my mid yr accounts without a hitch..shud b able to sleep well again
hanging like a burden on my shoulders ..hate all these paper work
It’s also a good idea to keep a blank book by your bed, something that you can use as a worry journal, if you find your mind racing and thinking about things you have to do. Writing them down on paper and converting them to a to do list releases you from “active duty” and allows your mind to shut off and offically stop thinking.