One of my college roommates once informed me that after 9 p.m., I became an inoperable wench.
“That’s not very nice,” I said.
“No,” she sighed. “It’s not.”
Sleep. I’ve never been one of those people who can function without it. I’ve never pulled an all-nighter, my family knows I need at least six hours of sleep, I also tend to go to bed between 9 and 10 p.m. (to be fair, I wake up around 5 a.m. to work on my novel).
For the most part, I’ve never had trouble falling asleep, but staying asleep had become a problem over the last few years. I recently read a book (!) which changed that for me, and I want to share you with some of the highlights so you can get better Z’s, too.
I’m also giving one lucky winner a free eBook copy of this book …
Sleep Smarter: 21 Essential Strategies to Sleep Your Way to a Better Body, Better Health, and Bigger Success by Shawn Stevenson.
The Story Behind the Story
Stevenson grew up poor, so fast food was pretty much all he ate. His healthy foods included fish sticks, macaroni and cheese, SpaghtetiiO’s, potato chips, and anything from a To Go bag. As a teen, he thought he’d found his ticket out of poverty because he was a two-sport athlete, performing at a high level. Then, one day, his hip shattered during track practice. He didn’t fall or injure himself. His body had just run on empty for so long that his bones literally disintegrated.
Overnight, his dreams disappeared. In college, Stevenson had no energy, and endured constant pain, so he had to keep dropping classes. At age 20, he was severely overweight, and had the spine of an 80 year-old-man.
Stevenson asked one his many doctors if his diet had caused this, or if exercise would improve his situation.
The doctor said, “This has absolutely nothing to do with what you’re eating. And exercise isn’t going to help.” He then wrote him a prescription to eat some more pills.
Talk about irony.
Luckily, Stevenson took charge of his own health. Instead of burgers and fries, he began eating grass-fed beef and organic oven-fries, as well as throwing in some fresh vegetables. He immediately had more energy, felt less inflammation, and made other changes, like going to bed earlier. He lost all the weight and got off every medication. His classmates and his professors, all saw his transformation. This inspired Stevenson to dedicate his life to helping others become the best versions of themselves.
Sleep Deserves More R-E-S-P-E-C-T
Stevenson says that 60% of people in the U.S. say they have difficulties sleeping every night (or at least every other night). More than 90% of all physician in-visits are for stress and inflammatory visits. “Poor sleep and stress often come hand in hand. Unless you give your body the right amount of sleep, you will never, I repeat never, have the body and life you want to have.”
What I liked about Sleep Smarter is that is goes beyond the cookie-cutter advice to ‘sleep 8 hours’ every night. Stevenson talks about the QUALITY of your sleep, not just the QUANTITY.
I Love You, Sleep
Me? I’m no world-class athlete. I’m just a wife/mom/author who needed to feel better dragging her ass out of bed every morning at 5 a.m. to finish writing Pennies from Burger Heaven. I’d always slept great, then one day … I didn’t. Melatonin and other over-the-counter supplements helped sporadically, while prescription medications (like Ambien) never worked. They just left me feeling groggy and un-rested.
A friend suggested I read Sleep Smarter, and it helped tremendously. I’m back to waking up feeling like Wonder Woman, instead of the Grinch. The book advertises 21 strategies, but it’s more like 75.
That overwhelmed me, so I only tried the tips that were super easy and cheap, if not flat-out free. Let me warn you that some of his suggestions will sound odd, if not completely woo-woo. There was plenty of advice on nutrition, supplements, exercise, meditation, etc., but I wanted to cover the lesser-known topics.
7 Strategies to Sleep Smarter
1. Get your ‘Friends” Out of Your Bedroom – This alone was a game changer for me. By friends, Stevenson means your cell phone, eReader, laptop, etc. Like many of you, I slept with my phone on my nightstand because it doubled as my alarm clock. My Kindle sat nearby to read before calling it a night.
Sleep Smarter says numerous studies have confirmed that the electromagnetic fields (EMFs) coming from our everyday electronic devices cause disruption of communication between the cells in our bodies — everything from hormonal problems to cancer from your so-called ‘friends’.
It was hard to move my phone and Kindle to another room, but I bought a $4.99 alarm clock from Target that runs on batteries. It may be the placebo effect, but I don’t care. I’m sleeping deeper and better than ever before. I’ll NEVER sleep with those devices by my head again. Even if I’m in a hotel room, I now charge my devices in the bathroom.
POWER TIP: Remove all electronics from where you sleep.
2. Technology Curfew – I suck at this tip, but when I do it — it makes a huge difference. Computers, iPads, televisions, smartphones, etc. all emit a sleep-sucking blue spectrum of light that highjack your sleep. This artificial ‘blue light’ from screens triggers your body to produce more daytime hormones (like the stress hormone, cortisol) that disorients your body’s natural preparation for sleep.
It’s best to stay away from all technology at least one hour before bedtime, though it’s harrrrrrd for me to avoid scrolling through Facebook one last time before turning in. Many electronics let you turn off ‘blue lights’ at certain times daily to minimize your exposure (you can google how to do this).
POWER TIP: Avoid all electronics at least one hour before bedtime.
3. Get More Sunlight During the Day – We are living creatures and need the sun. Yes, I know too much skin exposure can be dangerous, but Stevenson says more sunshine (especially before noon) helps your body produce more melatonin, which helps regulate your sleep. So, if you get more natural light during the day, and less artificial ‘blue light’ at night, you’ll be rewarded with better Z’s.
POWER TIP: Grab 5-15 minutes of sunshine daily to improve your shut-eye.
4. Get Grounded – This one is the most woo-woo tips of all, but I enjoy the hell out of it. We are born of this earth and the more we disconnect from technology, and connect to Mother Nature, the better we feel. Stevenson talks about the earth overflowing with electrons and other mumbo-jumbo that improves your health. WHAAAAT?
All I know is that when I slip my bare feet into the grass, I feel stupid, but I always sleep better that night. Sit or walk, it doesn’t matter. Just do it.
POWER TIP: Walk on the grass, soil or sand barefoot everyday to feel ridiculous, but sleep better.
5. Caffeine Curfew – Caffeine is a super-sized stimulant to your nervous system. When your nervous system is lit up, you can say bye-bye to relaxation. I don’t drink much coffee because I’m too hyper to begin with, and I NEVER drink more than one cup per day. For many people, 4 p.m. should be your cut off, but for highly-sensitive, but awesome folks like me, that means no caffeine after 2 p.m. Don’t even get me started on soft drinks because they are horrible for your health. Seriously, stay away from sodas.
POWER TIP: Cut off your caffeine between 2 – 4 pm.
6. Back in Black – Pitch dark. That’s how you want your room at night. My husband and I already had that one right on our own, but I’m more committed than ever to keeping it dark. This doesn’t mean just blocking outside light, but also pesky lights inside your room (alarm clocks, humidifiers, TV remotes). I already had a sleep mask that someone bought me as a joke (it says, DIVA) that I now wear sometimes. Again, I look beyond ridiculous in it, but I don’t care because I’m now the Queen o’ Snooze.
POWER TIP: Block outside lights, as well as cover or removed troublesome lights in your room.
7. Be cool – Stevenson says most people bundle up way too much to sleep. If the temperature around you stays too high, then it’s a physiological challenge for your body to settle into the ideal state for restful sleep. Studies show that the ideal room temperature for sleep is around 68° degrees. Anything above 75°, or below 54° messes with your shut-eye. Besides the room, don’t wear such heavy pajamas to sleep. If lighter pj’s bother you, try wearing socks to bed, too.
POWER TIP: Keep your room cooler, and try wearing lighter pajamas to bed.
I got life-changing results from just 7 out 75 strategies! Sleep Smarter is a definitely a book I will read again. I hope it helps you as much as it did me. Here’s to happy snoozing!
What kind of sleep problems do you encounter?
Congratulations to Glynis who won the free Kindle copy of Sleep Smarter!
Pick up your FREE copy today of the mystery, The Moon Rises at Dawn (SkipJack Publishing). Read, enjoy, repeat.
Hello can I get this book to try and help me?
Thanks for the comment, Leah. Here’s a blog post from Shawn Stevenson’s site that covers all 21 tips. Of course, the book is a 1,000 times better. Good luck!
90% of the time I just keep waking up. After an hour or an hour and a half I wake up. The other times I just have too much crap going through my brain. I work third shift. It takes me all day to get 6 hours sleep. But not in a row. I use an eye mask, does it help all the time
That’s tough, Jennie. Sleep Smarter might really help you because sleeping hours in a row is key. I was shocked how fast the book’s tips helped me. Good luck.
Great article, Marcy! I actually have cental sleep apnea due to a neurologic disorder and I was aware of some of these but a few went into more explanation than I had previously understood! Glad you are sleeping well again!!
Oh man, Wendy. Stevenson’s book goes into sooooo much more detail. I didn’t even scratch the surface. I just really enjoyed Sleep Smarter because this guy clearly knew what he was talking about, but the information was presented in a fun, conversational way. Thanks for your comment.
Like you, I go to bed early and to sleep almost immediately, but staying asleep just doesn’t happen. If I’m not up by 3:00, I consider it a good night. I’m not really a stressor, but I’m just not a good sleeper.
Oh, Anne. Our sleep patterns sound just alike! I’m sure you could find gems in the book to help you sleep through the night. A good night’s sleep is PRICELESS. Keep searching until you find your answers! Thanks for you comment.
Bad back keeps me from usually any more than 3-4 hours in bed. Spend 1/2 of each night in recliner on ice bags. Back surgery later this month: fusion of L4-L5 &S1
Ouch, James. I know surgery is scary, but your back pain sounds horrible. PLEASE be sure to follow your doctor’s follow-up orders EXACTLY. I had a friend who had that same surgery years ago, then got on a plane to Chicago the next week and was irritated the surgery didn’t work. Go figure. Thanks for your comment.
My problem is I’m tired…yawning…..go to bed….brain won’t shut down. 2 hours later I am still awake. No problems solved but also not sleep
Like I’m telling everyone else, I bet you can find tricks to help you sleep better in this book. Getting a few more minutes of sunshine + grounding has really helped slow down my mind at night (as well as staying off the internet an hour before bedtime).
Keep searching for answers because it shouldn’t take you 2 hours to fall asleep. Good luck because that’s FRUSTRATING.
Thanks for sharing this article with us. I always thought that I got a decent amount of sleep, but recently I’ve been proven wrong.
I wake up feeling achy and sluggish. Not to mention that I’m yawning constantly throughout the day. Since I’ve been experiencing this I’ve noticed that I’m having trouble dealing with stress and becoming more anxious even over the little things. Friends and family have told me that my eyes look tired and if I’m getting enough sleep at night.
I’m hoping that reading this book will help me to solve my sleep dilemma. As well as help me to feel more refreshed and ready to better deal with stress and other challenges during the day.
Most definitely, this book can help you Dianna. It sounds like you’ve hit a new normal, but all the things you’re describing are not normal. I wish I could bottle up and sell this amazing feeling because 6 months ago … I was exactly where you are. Good luck!
I have trouble falling asleep. I try not to use the electronics but even shutting them off doesn’t help. Then the next morning I have so much trouble waking up!
Lying awake is so frustrating, Mary. I hope you’ll keep playing detective to uncover your sleep troubles. I feel like a NEW WOMAN!
I have a son going through a difficult divorce (all divorce is difficult, but this has some particularly nasty and messy custody issues) and my business of 25 years is undergoing some major changes due to regulations, so my life is particularly stressful right now. And yes, I know that I should try to cut stress, but that isn’t always possible when you are watching your livelihood disappear and watching the tumultuous events in a child’s and grandchild’s lives. My brain seems to think that the middle of the night is the perfect time for serious thinking right now, so I could really use some tips. This book sounds great. Thanks for the chance to win it!
Oh, Doris. I’m so sorry. I agree completely. Sometimes, it’s impossible to remove the stressors in our lives, and you have TWO biggies.
This isn’t in the book, but a therapist once told me that crises tend to last six weeks and to mark a BIG X on today’s date. The crisis very well may not be resolved, but you probably won’t be in CRISIS MODE anymore either.
Since you can’t control your son’s divorce, or your business changes, focus ON WHAT YOU CAN CHANGE. Try to eat foods that add fuel to your body, and stay away from fatty, sugary foods that make you feel worse. Do things at night before bed that you really enjoy, that feel like a treat: take a hot bath, read a book for 15 minutes, call someone you love on the phone.
It really might also help you to JOURNAL before you go to bed. Not in a pretty little leather journal that’s expensive, but I use a MEAD 5-subject notebook (like I used in high school) and I WHINE and COMPLAIN about the unfairness of it all. When you do that daily, your brain gets tired of all the groaning and griping and starts finding solutions.
You’re in a difficult space. I wish you all the best in finding solutions.
I would love to receive your book. Every day seems like a struggle. I have several forms of arthritis and fibromyalgia. Would love to get me and my body on track. Thanks for this opportunity!
Hey Leigh Ann – I’m no doctor, but the author of Sleep Smarter sure did heal himself. Not only did he offer endless tips to improve sleep, it was really INSPIRING to read how he ignored all the naysayers and took charge 100% of his health and happiness. 🙂
These are all great peices of advice. I have thyroid issues that have really been wreaking havoc on my sleep the last few months. So, I will definitely try all of these. One thing for me that I’ve noticed is not to eat a big meal after 7pm.
I have thyroid problems, too, Jennifer. I take 90MG of Armour thyroid every morning. A few years ago, just getting on this medication did the trick with my sleep, but then stopped this past year. It seems like once I hit my mid 40’s (I’m about to turn 51), I’ve had to become VIGILANT about my health. It’s a blessing and a curse. 😉
Good luck to you. Keep searching for things that work.
I have trouble falling asleep. Sometimes it takes hours!!
Poor Terry! It’s not normal to take hours to fall asleep. Shawn Stevenson goes into soooo much more detail in his book, but here’s a blog post of his that hits the highlights of all 21 strategies. Get to the bottom of this because you DESERVE a better night’s sleep!
These are great tips. We make sure the bedroom is dark and cool, but you’re right about those pesky tiny lights on things – they really do disrupt your sleep. I fall asleep quickly, but have a hard time staying asleep. Then I have a habit of waking up anywhere between 4-6 am and am fully awake after having only 4-6 hours of sleep. I’d love to read this entire book to see where I can help myself sleep better. Thanks!
That’s exactly what I was doing, Helen. It’s awful because after 4-6 hours you wake up sort of rested, but not really. Turn into a detective find the clues to what’s messing up your sleep. I’m SO glad that I did!
I have been trying for over 5 years to start sleeping at night and getting up early. I have ALWAYS been a night person, as in I worked 7pm-7am for years. Now I am married to a day person and trying to run a business and write. So anything to help with better sleep would be great.
Sounds a lot for you, Chris, is rewiring your brain that you don’t have to be a vampire anymore. Five years is much too long to struggle with your sleep. It doesn’t have to be that way…good luck.
I have been so miserable not being able to sleep an entire night in ages. hope this helps. Thank you
It’s worth a try, Cat. Our bodies are meant to sleep. Even though most everyone we know experiences lousy sleep…it’s simply not normal. Follow the clues to learn what’s stopping you from a good night’s rest. It’s so worth the trouble when you have the right information. Good luck!
Why am I commenting? Why have I been reading emails since 3am this morning? Can’t sleep and when I can I wake up exhausted. This, which has become habitual, sucks! Love to win a copy. Fingers crossed and thank you Marcy!
PS: Happy World Chocolate Day, one more thing to enjoy long before bedtime, lol!
It does, suck, Dianne, but at least you still have your sense of humor. Happy World Chocolate Day to you, too! Yep, your sleep is jacked-up, for sure, so figure out the WHY? Is it hormonal? Do you need to change your diet? The book helped me so much, and I want it to help my community, too. Good luck investigating your sleep….
Thanks Marcy, Looking forward to reading it over the weekend.
thanks for sharing these 7 sleep tips, Marcy! as a member of the Wilson Women’s Night Nap club, we all know we need to sleep more, but it is hard to do a lot of nights…
Oh, man, Lynn! If you’re ANYTHING like your youngest sister, then I could NEVER keep up with you.I simply CANNOT function without sleep. Check out the book, Lynn. It’s really fun + informative.
I can relate to so much of what you wrote. My career (before I retired) as a high school teacher…late nights doing school work and VERY early mornings. Then I tried to ‘catch-up’ on sleep on weekends. I have been overweight for many years …lost weight and then re-gained it….now I have ‘bad knees’. Some nights I get 5 hours sleep, then wake up. Other nights, I awaken after sleeping only an hour or 2…then tired all day. I NEED to read this book!!!!
You sure do need to read this book, Mary. You sound like the perfect candidate for this book. When we’re tired, everything in life feels harder to deal with. READ THIS BOOK!
When I go to bed I can’t get to sleep until an hour or so later. I wish I could go to sleep right away.
So many people are like that, Marie, and it shouldn’t be that way. Sounds like the book could help you find the right tricks to slow down your mind at night. Check it out. You deserve better shut-eye.
Falling asleep is a breeze…I am a diabetic, so yeah, gotta follow the urge at least 2 times a night, and falling back asleep is a chore unto itself! I end up getting about 6 hours’ sleep over the course of 9 hours in bed, the last 2 from 5 – 7 AM. I end up exhausted at 2 PM like clockwork! Argh! What I’d give for 6 hours’ uninterrupted sleep. If I got 7, it would be like heaven!
Hmmm, Sarah. I don’t recall if Shawn Stevenson addressed such issues in his book, but it’d be worth it to see. Here’s his website: http://theshawnstevensonmodel.com. Look around there + read his book. Maybe you could even email him. He might not answer, but you don’t know if you don’t ask. Good luck!
thanks, Marcy!
I have a hard time staying awake until ten o’clock at night, but I do it. I still have nights when I wake at 2:30 and can’t go back to sleep. You’re right, the electronics are the cause.
It’s hard for me to sometimes stay away until 10 p.m., too. Yep, get your electronics out of your room + try a few of the other strategies. You’ll sleep past 2:30 a.m., AND wake up feeling so much more refreshed!
I’ve always had trouble sleeping as an adult. Pulling all nighters even in high school, on into nursing school left me with no regular sleep time or hours. As a nurse, I worked all three shifts. Midnight to 7am was the worst. I had to retire due to severe fibromyalgia and arthritis pain. Depression-> I either slept for days, or had insomnia. Ambien and Lunesta did not help after a time. I didn’t like prescription meds for sleep anyway. After 8 months in rehab after problems post hip replacement, I totally lost any semblance of a healthy sleep pattern. I was introduced to Melatonin which has done wonders now that I’m home. I used to sleep in a fetal position, now I have to sleep stiffly on my back, just recently able to lie on sides. BUT I’ve gained weight, 40 lbs overweight. Currently I go to bed about 9 pm and wake up 6 am. Leaned not to nap, but there are still days I cannot get out of bed. Long story, but after 50 years of not normal sleep patterns, being overweight, eating the wrong foods, etc. I want my last years to be full of restorative sleep, healthy living, etc.
WOW, Karen! You’ve been through a lot, but it sounds like you made quite a bit of progress. Good for you. I really think the book, could help you achieve even deeper sleep. Good luck to as you continue to make lifestyle changes.
I can never fall asleep, and then when I finally do (any time between 2 and 4 am) I move and the pain wakes me up! I have to sleep on my back because of 2 hip surgeries and then my back and neck hurt from arthritis, and can only sleep on my side for about 20-30 mins at a time. I take all sorts of meds to try to get me to sleep, but then that’s more like a medically induced sleep, not a true sleep and I just wake up groggy. I’m only 26!! I’ve also been having problems where my heart races at night and wakes me up just pounding out of my chest. But it’s so tempting to turn on the TV or pick up my phone/kindle/book. I eat very well and excercise as much as I can (probably more than I should, actually) and I love being outside! I like the idea of putting your feet in the grass and connecting to the earth! I think he probably has lots of good ideas, although not all problems can be fixed the same way his could!
You have been through a lot, Jeni. It made my heart hurt to read that you’re only 26, and taking all that medication. Your much too young to be suffering so much.
My main suggestion is … read his book. You don’t know what suggestions he has that might help ease your pain, unless you try. Good luck.
Gosh where do I start. I work 11pm to 8am everday, 6 days a week. I cut and paste my sleep during the day, an hour here, a half hour there, 2 hours before my shift starts, etc. I wake up hourly due to health issues and pain; and that is during the times that I am able to get 2 hours if sleep in. Sleeping during the day is next to impossible due to the bright lights, even with an eye cover, the light somehow still gets in. Not to mention the daily neighbor noises outside, the sales people ringing your doorbell and people just living their lives. During my job I sit for 8-9 hours straight so my weight has gone thru the roof, my legs are swollen and painful by the time I stand up. During those 8-9 hours I get yelled at, insulted and belittled for 8-9 hours of the time, I deal with suicidal people, people that are needing rehab due to drugs and alcohol and things I’ve never even heard of, so by the time I’m done with work I’m too wound up to be able to sleep. I then search for any kind of sleeping pill I could find in the cupboards. I wish there was something that can help me be able to sleep because I’ve been reading all the things that lack of sleep and working in the middle of the night causes, such as depression, weight gain, cancer, and death. But in today’s day and age, sometimes you have to do what you have to do, sometimes there aren’t a lot of choices other than cuddling with your puppies and trying to get “some” whatever little sleep you can pull off, at least that is what I’ve come to accept.
You’re right, Julie. We’ve got to deal within the realities of our lives, and the fact is you work the graveyard shift and it sounds like a tough job at that. Here’s a blog post by the Sleep Smarter author … maybe there’s something in there that can help you in the meantime. Good luck and keep cuddling up with your puppies.
http://theshawnstevensonmodel.com/sleep-problems-tips/
Thanks for the info about this book. My husband and I each struggle with different sleep issues, so maybe we can read this book together and figure out a strategy that will help us both.
Oooh, yes! Great idea to read the book together, Glynis! It’s always easier when you have a partner for accountability. GREAT IDEA!
Thanks for the great article, Marcy. I have trouble winding down, so it takes a while to drop off, and when I do wake my brain starts going, so I lie awake for ages. I need the voices in my head to shut up!
A lot of share the same struggles, Marie, but this book has helped me sooooo much with that! I forgot to add the end of the book even has a questionnaire to assess your sleep + a 14-day sleep makeover. Good stuff…
I find it hard to go to bed early, even though I am up at 6am every day, weekends included. I am usually awake at about 3am with one hell of a headache. I sleep with a fan, and try to make sure it is blowing in my face. I go to sleep thinking about what I have to do the next day, and worry about issues with my family. Hard to let them go.
Yuck, RoxAnne. That’s got to be rough awaking nightly with a headache. I hope you’ll read the book … I counted 75 different tips the author suggests. Surely, something might help you. I’m so glad I read the book! Good luck.
Looking forward to reading it!
Makes me wonder about our children and what their sleep struggles might do to their lives. Eck!
Me, too, Shiloh. My teens are glued to their phones and they think it’s nonsense about the EMF’s emitting from their devices. I’m thinking about just laying down the hammer and making all bedroom PHONE FREE ZONES at night. Electronics are both a blessing and a curse.
Thanks, Marcy ! I’m also one who has not been able to sleep the 12 hours of a teenager as I’ve aged, but now I have a horrible time getting to sleep. I’m stuck with having my phone when I am on call. But in the summer, we actually put a window air conditioner in the bedroom to keep it cooler.
Val Conrad
Hey, Val. Great to see you.
That’s great you’ve got the fan going, but do you think you could at least move your phone across the room, so it’s not right by your head. It will make a difference. Mark still sleeps with his phone/Kindle on his nightstand, but that doesn’t bother me. Try reading the book (Lordy, I wish I was getting a commission every time I tell someone to read Sleep Smarter). It’s helped me so much.
I have MS and we that do are known to have problems sleeping. I have to have medication that makes me sleep. I’ve never slept long nights in my life though. Even as a teen when my friends could sleep all day if they were left to do so. I just never could. Medicated I can sleep 6 to 8 hours sometimes.
Years ago, I served on the board of directors for the local MS Society, so I’m very aware of your sleep troubles. I’m sorry. Still, I think the book might give you a tweak here and there to help. Maybe not, but it’s worth a shot.
Sorry to hear you were struggling with sleep my friend! I wish I had known. Around 10 years ago, all of that trouble kicked in for me … some of it is simply our stage in life and the physiological changes that come with it. Our body is fussing and trying to adjust to yet another transition. 🙂
Gosh, since then? I met my husband, quit smoking, changed careers, moved to the country, changed careers again, gained weight, lost weight, changed diet, changed diet again, … I could go on … and the sleep is better, but it still has ups and downs if I measure it with the same expectations I once had. The thing is, I just no longer stress about it. A huge help: yoga & meditation.
I know you refer to grounding as a little woo woo — and I get it — but check out quantum physics. We are all energy inside and out. We, along with all living things, come from the same stardust (as Neil deGrasse Tyson, the physicist likes to say) and share the energy that moves through us all. It’s a beautiful thing … the stuff of dreams. 😉
Great to hear from you, T.O. I’m excited you’ve become certified to teach yoga. I’ve been doing yoga for about 15 years now. I go to class once, or twice a week. I need to start doing it more on my own at home. Last spring, I’d gotten into the habit of meditating for about 15 minutes, while my son was in the shower, getting ready for school and I LOVED it. School is out for the summer, so I haven’t been doing it. I realized last week that I CRAVE IT.
Thanks for explaining more about grounding. It does work, and it’s soooo easy to do. Two of my favorite things. 🙂
I too get up quite early and have issues of waking in the night. I think I’ll try some of these tips. Cool rooms are hard to come by where I live as most houses lack central air and summers are very hot. Hope I win this book, and learn how to sleep better.
Just do you the best you can with the other tips, Patty, since you can’t cool off your room. In fact, the author lays out all 21 sleep strategies here in this blog post. Good luck to you!
I have had a problem with sleep for over 20 years. I have tried so many things. I have learned to count backwards, by threes, etc, etc. self hypnosis helps but nothing is consistent. I have eliminated electronics in my bedroom except for my bed shaking alarm. I keep the devise in a wooden box but the shaker has to remain under my mattress. I have a catastrophic hearing loss. I have not been spending time in the sun every day or walking in grass in years. Will start that today. I bought a sleep mask ($2 at Walmart ?) and that has really helped! I have
enjoyed 2 wonderful nights of sleep in a row!!! I always need a dark cool room to sleep in but my cat likes to keep the drapes open so she can sit in the window. Now she can enjoy herself (as if that was ever a question) and I can have wonderful sleep! I thought the mask would bug me but it really isn’t a problem.
Thank you so much for the gift of sleep. Such a blessing.
Dixie
This is fantastic news, Dixie. I’m so glad the sleep mask worked. Sometimes, I wear it even if my room is pitched dark …just as it shuts off the light, it helps shut off my thoughts when my mind is racing.
Crazy, but true. Kudos that you were willing to try something different.
I work straight nights 6pm to 6am and I always have trouble getting enough sleep in one fell swoop. It’s usually 2-3 hours then I’m awake for quite some time before I can sleep again. Then voila! it’s time to get up and get ready for work.
Sleeping on my days off is just about as bad. I still can’t sleep more than 3 hours at one time. I don’t have the energy or inclination to anything around the house at all.
I really do try to get some decent sleep, especially when I’m going to be working as I drive for my job. So lack of sleep, decent sleep, is not good for me or my job.
My heart feels for you, Mary. That’s got to be hard on your body to work those hours, but you’ve got to do what you’ve got to do right? You might still try some of Stephenson’s suggestions to see if you could even stretch out staying asleep 4-5 hours. Keep searching for answers because your body is telling you that SOMETHING is off.
Best of luck to you and THANK YOU for the comment!