9 sleep problems

A recent CNN article was passed to me and I wanted to comment on it here. The name of the article is How to solve 9 sleep problems By Sally Wadyka.

The first words at the top of the page are huge - you can't miss them, even if you weren't looking for them - REAL SIMPLE

Okay, got my attention!

Like most people, I'm one that prefers shortcuts when I can find them. Tell me it's going to be real simple, and I'm likely to give it a try.

Next, she gives 9 common sleep problems (complete with stories) followed by methods and advice how they might be fixed. Nice touch...

I found the article actually quite informative, and was really glad to see it. I was slightly amazed that I've already tried several of the methods outlined in the 9 sleep problems, but wanted to pass it along here in case someone else might be interested to comment on them and pass along their wisdom to other sleep leaders and their communities.

Okay, so I'll go ahead and list the 9 sleep problems and my personal methods that work for me. Go ahead and reply and list your methods too!

#1. The night waker (oooh, good start - this is me!) I wish I had better methods here, but I often find myself staring at the ceiling at 3am, usually wakened because I have meds I need to take and can't go back to sleep. Getting up and doing something sometimes helps. I tire and go back to bed. Getting up and watching some boring tv sometimes helps too. I preferred to address the problem - don't wake me up and I'll be able to sleep thru the night!

#2. The early bird. Okay, #1 and #2 can sometimes be the same thing to me. My thyroid is off kilter, so getting that in check helped me to sleep later in the morning. I don't nap, and don't go to bed early, so the helps there didn't do anything for me I'm afraid. The key here is maintaining a schedule and sticking to it.

#3. Chronic insomniac. I stay on a schedule. Keep the end of my day quiet and as stress free as possible, enjoying my family and some free time. Drink some hot cocoa before bed, snuggle in with my heating pad and freshly plumped pillows, and a little aromatherapy for good measure. If I'm lucky, hubs will rub my achy joints until I drift off.

#4. The hormone sufferer. Again, fixing the underlying problem is the way to go here. What to do in the meantime? Don't break that schedule. Have patience and don't stress, as stress often causes an exacerbation of hot flashes for many women. Plan for hot clashes with an ice bucket at bedside, a change of fresh clothes, a towel and even a fresh sheet and pillowcase. Getting up for them only wakens me more.

#5. The worrier. This is easy for me. If I wake up worrying, I get up and do something about it if that is an option (did I leave the barn light on, or car unlocked?). If I can't do something about it that moment (sick friend, gossip, etc) I pray in a special way that has been likened to meditation - I use the name of the person I'm praying for at least once in every sentence, and I repeat this until I pray myself to sleep. The best remedy for concentrating too hard on my own worries is to concentrate myself on someone else's.

#6. The night owl. I can't say anything better than what is already listed there. Light is a biggie for me, that and noise. I just try to plan ahead.

#7. The overstimulated sleeper. I think that finding and keeping a schedule is really important. I don't nap except in extenuating circumstances. I may be tired one day this way, but I find it's better if I get a good night's sleep than an hour's nap, and this works best for me. We have room darkening curtains and shades, have eliminated as much noise at night as possible, and that included a move into the country.

#8. The downtime seeker. I had 2 sick babies, so I learned to sleep lightly, and it came back to haunt me. It still haunts me to this day. I find that keeping that schedule, and planning ahead of time is vital for me. My day is planned the day before, with things laid out so I don't stress or rush. My night is planned so I don't have to think when I'm having trouble. Relaxing is key here for me.

#9. The slow riser. Yep, been here too. I had to use light to reset my internal clock, and it didn't happen overnight. (Experts now say blue light is the best for this) I also had to be sure to not nap during the day, and ready myself for bed in a very predictable manner. I had a miserable couple of weeks while I got used to my new schedule, but then my body started predicting it, and sleep came much easier. The key here is not to change your schedule during weekends - stick with it no matter what!

Post script to parents: As a mom, we're taught that we have to be there for our kids, and when they come into our lives, we neglect ourselves so we can attend to them however they need. Dads tend to enjoy the fact that we do this, and rarely will say anything.

If you're a mom, you MUST make time for yourself. If you're not sleeping, your brain is actually more impaired than if you were drunk. What would you say if you saw someone trying to parent or partner each day in a drunken state? Sleep is not optional. Bottom line - if you cheat yourself out of sleep, you're cheating your family.

If you're a dad, please know that your childrens' mom lives and breathes for her kids. Even when it looks like she's watching the television, she's watching them. When it looks like she's sleeping, she's listening for them, and dreaming about them, and planning for them. When you notice she's tired, do yourself and your family a favor and give her the gift of time for herself. Read the paragraph above this one and consider whether you think parenting and partnering in a drunken state is what you really want her to be living each day - our your children.

Don't forget - Parenting is a tag team sport. Print yourself up t-shirts, recruit other team members and utilize them. Sit on the bench occasionally and let other members take over. Trust them. Recharge, because it might be your turn up next, and the 'other team' will find your weaknesses!!

Join in the discussion!
9 sleep problems