Today's topic is quality sleep...or lack thereof. My restless night this past evening began with difficulty winding down from a long day. I struggled to get comfortable shifting from side scar to side scar, adjusted and readjusted my pillows and finally gave up. I turned to a Shirley Temple movie for relaxation until the wee hours of the morning. Sleep decided to show up one hour before my alarm went off, bleh. This made for a rough day. Sound familiar?
Quality, consistent, and restful sleep is often a problem for those of us with chronic conditions. A method may work great for awhile and then not at all. Even sleep medications can fail or not provide the refreshed feeling we seek. Variety if often the key to find your own perfect recipe for sleep. Consider these tips:
Soothe with self-massage, especially feet or hands. Spend at least 3-5 minutes on each, kneading muscles and spending extra time around the joints. Can't bend well enough to reach your feet? Soak your feet in a bath with Epsom salts.
Nourish eating a baked potato a few hours after dinner. The mighty spud raises serotonin levels, helping you to relax. A cooked potato is an effective and tasty sleep aide. Hard to believe? Check this page and learn why it works: http://radiantrecovery.com/7-steps/step-guides/
Rest by creating a sleep ritual. These are repetitive actions you do night after night as you prepare for bed. Simple things like brushing your teeth, turning the lights down, avoiding caffeine and sweets late in the day, adjusting room temperature, meditation or prayer, listening to relaxing music, etc. Palming is a great method to moisten tired eyes, minimize headaches, and helps you relax.
What sends you off to dreamland? Share! I'd love to hear your thoughts.
Be Well!
Tiffany
