Sleepless Nights

We've all had nights when the sheep won't line up to be counted and we find ourselves watching the alarm clock as the minutes move closer to sunrise. Often these sleepless nights occur when our mind is racing with the challenges of the day or in anticipation of the day to come. Other times the occasional sleepless night turns into many nights of sleeplessness. After so many hours and nights of chasing a good night's sleep, you start to suffer from the many damaging effects of insomnia.

The Merriam-Webster dictionary defines insomnia as “the prolonged and usually abnormal inability to get enough sleep.” It is further defined as episodic (when it happens occasionally, short-term (for bouts lasting less than three weeks) and chronic (for insomnia that lasts longer than 3 weeks). Whether you experience a few sleepless nights or fight insomnia on a regular basis, there are several health and safety risks that are directly linked to insomnia.

Health & Safety Risks Linked to Insomnia

• Increased incidents of anxiety and depression
• Increased risk of heart disease and diabetes
• Increased weight gain and digestive problems
• Decreased alertness and concentration

Dealing with your insomnia is often very challenging because the common tips that help one person sleep, might not work for you. Luckily there are many different techniques to help you get a good night’s rest. Try as many or few of these techniques to see what helps you best conquer a sleepless night.

• Sleeping Potions — Study after study has shown that alcoholic beverages and caffeine are not wise choices if you want a good night’s rest. When you are having trouble sleeping, be sure to cut out cocktails, coffee and colas in the evening to help prepare your body for rest. Replace your evening beverage with a calming and decaffeinated herbal tea.
• Revise Your Nightly Rituals — One of the most common sleeping tips for babies and young children is to create a soothing and tranquil evening routine. We often follow an evening routine to help our children sleep, so why not do it for yourself. Consistently follow an evening routine that makes sense for your life. Calming ideas include listening to quiet music, taking a warm bath scented with lavender and turning off electronics before you retire to the bedroom.
• Create a Sanctuary for Sleep — Pay attention to the colors and fabrics in your bedroom. Invest in quality bed linens that feel good to your touch and surround yourself with calming colors. Remove electronics from your room or place the TV in an armoire and close the doors. Think of your bedroom as a sanctuary where you can rest, rejuvenate and reconnect with your inner self.

While you can’t control everything in your life that conspires to keep you up at night, there are steps you can take to help you embrace sleep. At times, it’s normal to have an occasional night of bad sleep and until you find the evening routine that best helps you, it can benefit your health to find coping strategies for the daytime. Five-minute meditations, yoga poses or even a twenty-minute cat nap will help you rejuvenate on days when your energy is low.