INSOMNIA
Talking about insomnia is almost like discussing human nature, because there are as many variations on that theme as there are individuals. Here are some questions to answer in determining the cause or type of your insomnia:
How much sleep do you need? Some people suffer from insomnia because they think they need more sleep than they actually do.
Are you too tired to sleep? It is hard to relax if you are, and relaxation must precede sleep. Try not to overdo things during the day. Even more important, slow down as evening approaches.
Is there a physical cause for your inability to sleep? Poor sleeping conditions, such as noise, light, or someone moving around, may make it impossible to sleep well.
Do you drink too much coffee, tea, or cola? Caffeine in these beverages keeps some people awake. Do you eat heavy meals before bedtime and toss around with ‘indigestion,’ or drink fluids that make your bladder feel distended? Have you any illness or nuisance ailment causing pains, aches, or discomfort?
Is there any emotional cause for your insomnia? Problems, worries, and fears—real or imaginary—will make you tense, whether you are conscious of them or not. They may also cause nightmares that make you resist the idea of going to sleep.
If your insomnia is due to any of the above reasons, try to eliminate the cause. If you cannot, be sure to see a doctor, because he will be able to help you.
Do not be afraid of staying awake. Many people can simply relax or doze and be perfectly rested the next day. Most persons suffering from insomnia actually sleep more than they think they do.
Make the two hours before you go to bed peaceful ones.
Go to bed half an hour to an hour sooner than you expect to go to sleep. Read something soothing until you feel drowsy. Then turn off the light.
Relax physically. Try to let your muscles ‘go.’
Relax mentally. Try to find something soothing to think about when you start courting sleep.
If you do not go to sleep, and lying quietly disturbs rather than relaxes you, begin again by reading for a while or listening to soothing radio music.
Again, let me urge you that if your efforts are not rewarded and you are still troubled by insomnia, consult your doctor.
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