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Wednesday, September 12, 2012

What do you do when you can't sleep?

I've always been an early riser but sleeping in or even sleeping through the night has become more of a challenge the older I get. This morning it was 4:30am when I gave up and got up. Sometimes it is 1am to 3am that I am sitting up reading. Other times if I stay in bed and relax I will fall back to sleep. I give myself 20 to 30 minutes and then get up if I don't. I have no interest in taking sleeping pills.

So there is pumpkin raisin walnut bread cooking. I've checked my email and read the paper. It isn't even light out yet!

How do you handle your sleeping challenges?

9 comments:

  1. Melatonin works for me, or Chamomile Tea. Waking up in the really early morning hours is tough for me as well.

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    1. I think the early morning hour waking is very common as we get older! At least my dog is always happy to be up with me.

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    2. My dogs look at me and go into the other room to go back to sleep. 4 am wake ups are a bit too much!

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    3. Mine goes back to sleep too but first she does her happy to see you dance.

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  2. Read a book. That's what works for me. I slide into bed around 10:30, 10:45; start reading, and I'm out like a light in somewhere between 10 minutes if I'm tired or the book is boring, and 30 minutes if I'm not tired or the book is good.

    If I wake up in the night and can't get back to sleep after more than about 10 minutes, I turn on the light, grab my book and start reading. Again, works every time, after 10 - 20 minutes I'm back in dreamland.

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    Replies
    1. I'm glad you have a solution that works for you. Unfortunately that one doesn't work for me - I just keep reading!

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  3. I say the Hail Mary over an over until I go back to sleep. If that does not work, I get up and start ironing which I find very boring. I have never made it past 5 of my husband's shirts.

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  4. Here are some things I have found to help:
    1. CALM which is a magnesium powder you mix with hot water. Good for a lot of things.

    2. No alcohol at night (I am still working on this one).

    3. Reading. Sometimes works for me, sometimes doesn't (when I wake in the middle of the night). I have to keep the light low so I either read with my Nook or a book light.

    4. If I still can't fall back asleep, first I will make myself just lie there with my eyes closed rationalizing that at least my body is still at rest and I am in a dark room. Then,after an hour, I will get up and do something.

    When all else fails...Xanax.

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    Replies
    1. I'm going to look into CALM - hadn't heard of it before. Thanks for the suggestion.

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