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Naps & Sleep Routines

I could go for a nap right now. My sleep has gotten totally out-of-wack over the past month, and I am in need of some serious sleep therapy. Thankfully, this feels very different than a year ago, when my inability to sleep well became a source of great frustration...

 
Several suggestions have been given. None of them seem easy or guranteed enough for me to fully commit:

  1. Ear plugs. (lost my pair. should probably just shell out another $8...but it takes me at least 3 tries to get them in properly every single time I wear them.)
  2. Sleep mask. (have one. wear it occasionally, not sure if it makes a difference, hate that I have to lift it to check the clock when I wake up unexpectedly.)
  3. Bedtime routine. (I think I generally do things in the same order? I can't see myself fully keeping track of this.)
  4. Sleep-only in your bed. (but skype! journalling! reading! watching TV! In my next bedroom*, I will have a couch. No really, that's my plan.)
Any other sleep advice? Am I being lazy about sleeping well? Should I try really hard to do these things "right"?



*I am feeling both excited and sad about the fact that I will be moving and changing roommates in two months. We've had a good run here, Nadine and I...
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Comments

Ariana said…
Don't bring your computer to bed with you! Seriously! There's something about the light it emits that fails to relax you and put you in sleep-mode. This is the single most important sleeping-better tip. It's made all the different for me. (Read, though. It's ok to read in bed.)

Also: lavender relaxation spray on your pillows.
3:45 PM
Jackie said…
I struggle with this a lot but I found that on the days when I do extra vigorous exercise it's significantly better. Vigorous as in you're dead tired after you do it and refuse to do anything else but sleep at 10pm.

For lent I'm committing to iphone-free bed, aka cutting the wifi out so I'm not tempted to read in the dark when I should be falling asleep. I feel great about it so far.

Couch in your next bedroom sounds delightful.

Jackie
7:15 PM
sarahtp said…
I am stealing some of the advice from your readers— I am totally having a difficult time sleeping as well! And I've been a zombie at work too.

I lost my sleep mask (which usually works for me), so that might be a contributing factor.

In the winter, when I was sick with a throat cough thing, I put a shot of whisky in my tea before bed. That did the trick. But then again, you don't want to build up any kind of dependancy on the stuff.

If you get any advice that really works, let me know!

Also, we should meet up soon. I am going to be in Toronto on Sunday— are you free in the afternoon before 4?
7:53 PM
Beth said…
ariana: noted...

jackie: vigorous exercise should be more a part of my life. and will be soon. once the weather is consistently +5 degrees.

sarah: one thing i do is slow/deep breathing to fall asleep. one hand on my chest, one on my stomach, and relax. it helps. and counting keeps other thoughts at bay. also, sending you a message right now.
1:14 PM
jonathanturtle said…
Do you know where you're moving yet? I hear there is a sweet opening in Riverdale. ;)
9:14 AM
Beth said…
jonathan - same plan as before...Karen is buying a place, likely just west of downtown. I'm going to live with her. Sorry, Riverdale peeps.
9:59 AM
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