Wednesday, June 5, 2013

What Keeps Me Up At Night

Sometimes it seems impossible for me to turn off my brain and fall asleep. I envy those people who fall asleep quickly and sleep through the night! If my thoughts aren’t keeping me up it is the rain, the noise, or the birds outside my house. Inside my house my pets or husband’s snoring or getting up and down that keeps me awake or wakes me up.

I have talked with several friends and if misery truly loves company, it is a love fest!
So here are hints to fall asleep and stay asleep:

  • Earplugs. I can’t fall asleep without them.
  • Eye mask. I have friends who use an under eye skin conditioner combo mask.
  • Black out curtains. I put these up in the summer.
  • Wave music. I have a friend who can’t sleep without it.
  • Warm shower. Many friends swear it helps.
  • No TV or Computer time before bed. I cannot watch any news before going to sleep.
  • Reading in bed with a small light. If I get too interested I have to force myself to stop.
  • Everyone goes to bed at the same time. A friend of mine has programed her phone to turn off the    TV so her husband will come to bed and not wake her up.
  • Sleep Aid drugs.
  • Haralee.Com Sleepwear. If you have night sweats, a must.



Medical research shows that sleep is very important, 7-8 hours a day. My goal is to get 8-9 hours a day. I toss and turn and do not get up hoping I will eventually fall asleep or back to sleep. Some friends will get up and read, or do some work or get on the computer and then go back to bed. It really seems like we are all dealing with the elusive good night sleep solution.

What about you? Do you have some tricks to get an uninterrupted good night sleep?




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12 comments:

  1. Janie EmausJune 6, 2013 at 9:50 AM

    I lie on my back with my hands on my chest and think about the characters I am writing about. Of course, sometimes I have to get up and help them solve their problems.

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  2. UnknownJune 6, 2013 at 9:55 AM

    All excellent suggestions, except you forgot enjoying a glass of wine- or two. Hahaha

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  3. HaraleeJune 6, 2013 at 10:14 AM

    Thanks Janie for commenting. If your characters are too conflicted in your next novel we all now know you didn't get much sleep!

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  4. HaraleeJune 6, 2013 at 10:15 AM

    Thanks Cheryl for my oversight!

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  5. PhoebeJune 6, 2013 at 10:30 AM

    Ear plugs!! Have shopped around and found my favorite ones online! www.earplugsonline.com

    Benadryl is my sleep aid of choice.

    ReplyDelete
  6. HaraleeJune 6, 2013 at 10:50 AM

    Thanks Phoebe for the site for ear plugs. Some don't block out enough sound, some are too hard, some are too soft, etc! Who knew that we would become ear plug experts in mid life just to get a good night sleep?

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  7. SherylJune 6, 2013 at 12:10 PM

    So funny. That is my list, precisely! Minus the music. And a hot bath is great, too. It also helps that my hubby has FINALLY agreed to wear his CPap machine!

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  8. HaraleeJune 6, 2013 at 12:20 PM

    Thanks Sheryl. Am I the only one that gets a second wind from a warm bath or shower?

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  9. Ellen DolgenJune 6, 2013 at 5:30 PM

    Haralee, it may be controversial, but hormone replacement therapy helped me sleep well more than anything else. Also trying to reduce your stress level is good for your ability to sleep as well as your health in general.

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  10. HaraleeJune 6, 2013 at 5:35 PM

    Thanks Ellen for commenting. If just reducing stress was easier!

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  11. Joy Weese MollJune 8, 2013 at 9:41 AM

    I'm also a lousy sleeper. My best sleep aid is exercise. I get the best results if I exercise in the late afternoon or early evening.

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  12. HaraleeJune 8, 2013 at 9:48 AM

    Thanks Joy!

    ReplyDelete