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Improving Sleep

Last night I slept almost seven hours, which hasn't been the case for a while. The nighttime decongestant I took probably helped, but I can't resort to those every night to combat my insomnia. I use the last hours of the day to crochet and get myself in a meditative state, and that's helpful when it's time to go to bed, too. I'm just battling on top of everything else chronic pain, a hamster wheel-running mind, and that ever-present old age reality that if I go to sleep I am not guaranteed to wake up again.

Sleep is absolutely important at this stage of the game, so I'm working on changing up my evening routine to calm my thoughts and manage the pain problems.

Meditation is my first resort. It's helped me throughout my life, but I've gotten away from it in favor of repetitive mindless tasks like sewing and crochet. I'll be meditating for a few minutes before I go to bed and see if that improves the quality of my sleep.

Dressing comfortably seems like a no-brainer, but I'm at the time of year where it's too cold for pajama shorts and too warm for pajama pants. I'm alternating, and also thrifting a few oversize tops (wearing loose clothing is better for comfort.) Now and then I'll wear pajamas pants and drop the A/C down one degree, and then sleep without covers.

Staying in bed instead of getting up also helps me when I wake in the middle of the night. The new rule before sunrise is that I only get up to go to the bathroom.

In the past I have resorted to low doses of melatonin to help drug my brain into sleep mode, but I'm leery of depending on that anymore. I liked a dietician's advice to stop eating after 7 pm. I still sometimes snack, and I'm going to quit that.

Unfortunately I can't do much about the arthritis pain. I take extra-hot showers to ease the pain and stiffness in my neck and back, and my hobbies are actually physical therapy for my hands. Pain and I are old, old friends and I don't fear the discomfort. I take Tylenol every now and then when my arthritis flares out of control, but again, not something I want to do regularly. Perhaps meditation will also help me cope in this department.

I'll report back next week and tell you what works, what didn't, and what else I'll try to improve my sleep.

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