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Saturday, February 18, 2012

Still Not Sleeping

You may remember my husband and I tried something different to help us sleep - dark time starting at 9pm. We were turning off all artificial sources of light and using only candles. It has been a couple weeks now and while I have absolutely loved dark time it hasn't really helped either of us sleep better.

Hubby has basically given up on it entirely but I wouldn't mind keeping it up just because I enjoy it so much. I've begun reading a bit before bed and even though I can't get far before my eyes or my brain give out on me it has still been nice. Plus we have spent a lot more time playing games or just sitting around talking, which has been really great.

Even though I know I'll never convince him to start dark time earlier, I do hope I can convince him to continue doing it at least to some degree. There is something romantic and cozy about the candle light. Plus it's migraine friendly.

In the meantime, still trying to figure a way to get better sleep. I've tried Melatonin, deep breathing, counting sheep, dark time...Any ideas?

8 comments:

  1. Pre-bed warm shower with gentle stretching under the flowing water works for my husband and has for years.

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    1. Sounds easy enough...so long as I don't get my hair wet :) Thanks!

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  2. What Lynda said - a nice warm bath is always a good start. The stretches help too.

    Not that I should be offering any advice. I had three nights this past week with virtually no sleep. By the time I hit 4:00 a.m. I just gave up. Not sure what is going on exactly.....

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    1. Yikes 3 nights with no sleep...I sure hope that resolves soon for you.

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  3. Hello,
    Just joined your blog. Well I can surely tell you that so many of us struggle with getting to sleep and staying asleep. My anxiety disorder surely causes many restless nights. Although you may have tried several things, I am just adding some ideas incase you have yet to try.....Many of the articles/books I have read say to only lie down in your bed when you are ready to go to sleep. I normally will sit in my recliner and read until I feel my eyes shutting. Have you tried listening to CD's such as sounds of nature (rain, thunder, waterfalls, etc.....) along with the candles being lit. My sister in law has severe insomnia that has plagued her for years. She has to take valium to help get her body to sleep. She can go 3 days with no sleep and then her body will crash for a few hours and back to the pattern.
    Wishing you pain free days and nights of peace and rest!

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    1. Welcome Mamie! Yeah, I think you're right. I love the idea of doing a nature sound CD. We'll have to try that. Thanks!

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  4. I'm probably going to try L-tryptophan for migraines/sleep. I'll update my blog if I do. I don't have any advice but that might be worth a shot.

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  5. My brain often seems to be lacking the switch for sleep, so I can spend hours lying awake, even when exhausted. I do a 20-30 min 'yoga for insomnia' routine off a yoga for stress relief DVD shortly before bed that has a mix of active and passive poses. It helps a lot, giving you a bit of light activity to tire you out, then some time to calm down ready for bed. I definitely notice when I go a couple of days without doing it.

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