Ways to conquer SLEEP!

When you read this, you will think well DUH! No it’s not that easy let me tell you!

I have been struggling with sleep for a long time. Recently had a lot of health issues pop up, so I was referred to a sleep specialist. Just to see if it helps. My first appointment involved him telling me what I should do and how hard it will actually be to accomplish. He wasn’t lying.

Normally I’d fight sleep and wake up every night to tinkle, then struggle to go back to sleep. I avoided my phone and tv, and just tossed and turned the whole time. The doctor suggested I was thinking of sleeping too much. Wait what?!?!

Yes, it makes sense. Like swallowing a pill, you can’t think about it or you will throw it up. It’s the same way with sleeping. Don’t say you can’t sleep, won’t sleep, don’t sleep, or you are going to sleep. Say things like “I didn’t sleep that well”, “I have slept as well lately”, “I’m going to lay down”. It may seem silly, because it is all mind games.

I began this a week ago. Avoiding naps is my number one struggle, while dealing with extreme fatigue. When I lay down I just relax and rest my whole body not thinking of sleep. I have been falling asleep quicker, and sleeping longer than 2-5 hrs a night.

If I wake up during the night, the doctor suggest going to a separate room and read an article from a magazine that doesn’t get you excited or mad about. Not a book though, because you will not want to stop reading it. With an article there is an quick ending. This is to relax your mind and not think of sleeping. Give yourself 30 minutes (guesstimate the time length) to fall asleep. Repeat, if you are awake still.

Since starting I have seen improvement, sleeping longer and deeper at night. It’s not a walk in the park though. It is hard at first. If you mess up one night just restart the next night. Don’t give up!!

Goal: sleep as good as Fred!