Widows & Widowers Support Group
This community is dedicated to those who have lost a husband, wife, or partner. Anything is open for discussion here, with the hope that we can focus on grief, bereavement, life after loss, and continuing on after a great loss.
During my 3 years of grief, I have had a difficult time getting to sleep. I started taking all kinds of recommended supplements and even a couple different prescriptions from the doctor, not all at once, but progressing to a new avenue when the previous one did not work.
I got really tired of having to take pills to get to sleep. I started paying attention to what I read about getting to sleep naturally, as we should. I didn't believe it. But I started doing it. Quit any med/supplement cold turkey. Here's what I have done:
1. Turn off all cell phone/Facebook/ messaging at least one hour before going to bed.
2. Don't eat or drink anything after a couple hours before bed. If starving, maybe small bowl of cereal.
3. Don't watch any competitive programs on TV. Boring programs or murder mysteries works for me. I get swept away thinking about other people's problems and not my own.
4. Turn thermosat as cool as I can, summer and winter. Turn ceiling fan on high, summer and winter. Have a nice blanket/quilt to keep me comfy.
5. Lights (all!) off after getting into bed.
6. No long praying. Short prayers only at night. Otherwise I would be kept awake from dwelling on things that cause anxiety.
For about 2 months now I have been sleeping very well overall. I have some bad nights but usually it is some other reason or that I broke the rules here that I have set for myself.
Who would like to offer their helpful hints on getting to sleep without meds/supplements?
I got really tired of having to take pills to get to sleep. I started paying attention to what I read about getting to sleep naturally, as we should. I didn't believe it. But I started doing it. Quit any med/supplement cold turkey. Here's what I have done:
1. Turn off all cell phone/Facebook/ messaging at least one hour before going to bed.
2. Don't eat or drink anything after a couple hours before bed. If starving, maybe small bowl of cereal.
3. Don't watch any competitive programs on TV. Boring programs or murder mysteries works for me. I get swept away thinking about other people's problems and not my own.
4. Turn thermosat as cool as I can, summer and winter. Turn ceiling fan on high, summer and winter. Have a nice blanket/quilt to keep me comfy.
5. Lights (all!) off after getting into bed.
6. No long praying. Short prayers only at night. Otherwise I would be kept awake from dwelling on things that cause anxiety.
For about 2 months now I have been sleeping very well overall. I have some bad nights but usually it is some other reason or that I broke the rules here that I have set for myself.
Who would like to offer their helpful hints on getting to sleep without meds/supplements?
Therefore, #7 would be:
An hour before bedtime, focus on your body and how it feels. If you are in pain, take the med NOW. Don't wait until you're already in bed and missing an hour or two of sleep.
PAIN WILL KEEP YOU FROM GETTING TO SLEEP!
I found my sleep problem was medical and I ended up not needing the medication, but sleep with a machine called C-Pap. It is a life threatening situation left untreated can do serious harm. Discuss all these concerns with your healthcare provider with what you tried and if it worked. Sharon
a consistent bed time and consistent wake time also helps
My Mother's Dr. told her many years ago if You take an aspirin before bed for 2 nights it changes your sleep pattern.