I am SO tired… So tired… I cannot begin to express the exhaustion. The body is certainly amazing, though, how it keeps going through all the sleep deprivation. It keeps going for sure – but how successfully and how efficiently? Not very! The body is also amazing to me in that I am giving it plenty of opportunity to sleep – but it just simply will not relent. Hours upon hours of restless, mind racing nights. Oh, Mr. Sandman, how I miss you.
Sleep and rest are important for so very many reasons. Restoration. Repair. Sanity. Happiness. Dallas and Melissa Hartwig of The Whole9Life even list sleep as one of the top 9 factors to optimum health. Sleep is a key building block to life. It’s also an incredibly undervalued building block in our society.
Not only does inadequate sleep raise our risk for disease and grumpiness, but the “dream” of night-time slumber rules our subconscious lives more than we thought. I read a study fairly recently that stated somewhere near 60% of Americans would prefer more sleep each night than a $60,000 annual raise? Really? Wow. I thought Americans were greedy. Apparently we are sleep deprived and greedy!
So, I’ve tried everything. Nothing works. What works for you?
For now, I’ll daydream about sleep and my coveted affair with the Man in the Moon.
Oh, and I’ve always wanted that worry-free little kid part of me back that can simply submit to “play” exhaustion and fall asleep ANYWHERE.
Relaxing before bedtime (hot shower, reading, herbal tea), consistent sleep/wake schedule, exercise during the day, deep breathing, not drinking caffeine after 12 p.m., not eating too close to bedtime. The NightWave Sleep Assistant is also helpful. It’s a little blue light that you watch on the ceiling (or wall if a side sleeper) that moves to the rhythm of a slow breath. It taps into the relaxation response in your body and helps you fall asleep. It actually does work, at least for me. I’d give it to you to test out, but I lent it to my mom when I was in Michigan this past summer! I do freelance writing for the company, which is why I know so much about it.
You’re so right about all of these things. I love hot baths at night to try to calm me down. I think for me, at least right now, it’s all about STRESS. The “s” word! I’d so love to try out the machine though. I’ll have to save up for it! Thanks.
On Thu, Feb 14, 2013 at 3:28 PM, Craving4More
If I get some more NightWaves to give out as testers, I’ll give you one! Meanwhile, take care of yourself and do what you can to manage your stress. Organic India makes some lovely stress-relieving teas (all Tulsi based) and I know rhodiola is supposed to help too. Jesse swears by New Chapter’s rhodiola when he’s going through periods of high stress.
Sweet!! Thank you. I like New Chapter and I’ve taken rhodiola in the past. I’ll give it a try again. Next time you’re in the neighborhood, let me know. I’d love to be a product tester 🙂
Ashley Kipp
Sent from my awesome iPhone
😉
So sorry to hear about your sleep issues. I too have problems, but not as severe. I tried lots of things and nothing helped. Roger and I will pray that you will start sleeping better.
Aww….thank you so much for your prayers 🙂
Ashley Kipp https://www.craving4more.com