Gotta Catch Some Zzzzzzzz's!

[janbear]

Gotta Catch Some Zzzzzzzz's!
From Nancy Schimelpfening,
Tips to Beat Insomnia and Get a Restful Night of Sleep
Do you feel as if you're getting as much sleep as anybody else, but you're still waking up tired? Do you have trouble falling asleep or staying asleep once you do? You're probably not alone. Many people in our modern, industrialized society are chronically sleep deprived. We are continually stressed and running short on time. To further complicate matters, we tend to depend upon caffeine, cigarettes and sugar as a substitute for what only a good night's sleep can provide. Sleep patterns and mood are intimately related. Sleep deprivation makes us irritable and depressed. Many of us become so desperate to get a good night's sleep that we resort to medications, but is that really necessary? Perhaps the best medicine of all is to start really listening to your body instead of working against it's needs.

How to Establish Good Sleep Patterns:

Determine the number of hours you need to feel rested. Don't worry if you don't fit into the "norm" of eight hours. A good guideline to start with is how many hours you sleep when you "sleep in" on the weekends.
Calculate a bedtime that will allow you to get this many hours and wake up at a reasonable hour (for example, when you need to get ready for work).
The first day, wake yourself at the time you would like to be your usual waking time, whether you are rested or not. You may need help from a friend, relative or alarm clock the first few days.
Throughout the day, resist the urge for a nap.
Limit your intake of caffeine. Do not consume any caffeine after mid-afternoon. It's effects can take hours to wear off. You will eventually find that you are getting enough rest and don't need an extra boost in the morning to wake up.
A couple of hours before bedtime, begin to allow yourself to wind down. A regular evening ritual can help you relax and will signal your body that it's time to rest.
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Avoid over the counter and prescription sleep meds and alcohol. Although you may fall asleep, your sleep will not be gentle and natural. You will feel groggy in the morning.
If you are troubled by racing thoughts that just won't stop, get up and do something to keep yourself occupied until the thoughts subside. They'll pass much more quickly this way.
If you just can't sleep, don't lie in the bed and toss and turn. Get up and do something until you are tired enough to sleep.
Get up at your predetermined time, no matter how tired you may feel.
Repeat the above steps until you are able to fall asleep on time and wake up rested. This will generally take 2-3 days.
Tips:

Don't despair if you have to go sleepy for a couple of days to get back on track. For most people, these steps will work if followed faithfully.
Keep a regular schedule, even on weekends. If you do, every day will feel as glorious as "sleeping in" on the weekends.
If keeping a regular sleep schedule is not working for you, consult an expert for further assistance. Certain sleep disorders, such as sleep apnea, have been associated with depression.


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