A Good Night's Sleep

When was the last time you had a really good night's sleep??? You know what I mean.....the kind of sleep that takes you into dreamland and leaves you feeling refreshed and ready to face the world in the morning. It seems like such a simple thing, but yet the most elusive and it is, by far, the one common denominator amongst us all. Big stars like Madonna and Jennifer Aniston have reportedly complained about how hard it is to get a good night's sleep. They, like so many people, have stayed up with all of us nightly watching "I Love Lucy" reruns and countless infomercials. So, how do you break this cycle you might wonder? Here are some useful tips to help you get to sleep faster and stay asleep longer.
First, make sure you don't use your bed for anything other than sleep (oh, yeah, and that other thing you do in bed). No watching TV, reading, chatting on the phone or computer work in the bedroom. Also, establish a nightly routine for yourself, just like you do for your kids. Have a set bedtime and follow a regimen that works for you like a little television, some light reading and perhaps a warm bath or shower. Make sure your bedroom is comfortable in temperature. Turn the heat down in the winter so you're not throwing off your blankets at 2AM and wear comfortable sleeping attire. Leave the sexy negligees for other things. No fighting, worrying or paying bills late at night. This can not only have an emotional impact on your sleep or lack thereof, but a physiological reaction as well. Adrenelin is released into the bloodstream when you are in an agitated state and will prolong any lack of sleep you've been experiencing. Also, try some aromatherapy. Lavender is very soothing and it can help put you in a relaxed state of mind. Head on over to Bath & Body Works for some of their wonderful room scents (in plug in or spray form). Don't use over-the-counter sleep therapies for more than a few days at a time and that would include any PM Tylenol type products or herbal remedies, but do use them in moderation if they can help you at all. If your insomnia lasts more than two weeks, get a check up and see if there are any underlying medical factors. If not, your doctor can prescribe a sleep medication right for you for a few weeks to get you back on track while your working on getting your routine underway. Sleep is vital to feeling energized and emotionally happy during the day. Lack of it can be draining physically and emotionally and will most definitely show up in your face. Most importantly, if you are having trouble falling asleep, make sure you don't have any caffeine past 3PM (some people think 12PM is more reasonable). Caffeine has long-lasting effects on the body so if you think this is impeding your sleep, then give it up for a few days or, at the very least, keep the intake minimal. Lastly, just know that if you are having trouble sleeping, it's probably just short term and you are definitely not alone!