SlumberBlog - Better Pillows

I really didn’t want to write another blog about how sleep is eluding me.  The last blog I wrote I talked about how I couldn’t fall asleep.  Last night I fell asleep just fine, but I woke up with a jolt and had trouble getting back to sleep.  I have written previously about the risks you take by not getting adequate sleep.  Sometimes not getting a good night’s sleep is out of your hands, and if you are like me, then falling back asleep is easier said than done. 

I awoke to strange noises last night.  The sounds were a cross between the groans of zombies in The Hills Have Eyes and a soliloquy by Gollum from Lord Of The Rings.  Needless to say, I sprang from bed in a defense position, frightened of Freddy Kruger, awaiting the Sons of Belial.  I found the noise was coming from outside my bedroom window and was nothing more than 2 cats trying to defend their territory.  My heart, now starting to beat again in its new location, my throat, was not ready to calm down enough to go back to bed.  If this at all sounds familiar (I, for your sake, hope not) you may want to try any, or all of these steps to get back to slumber.

1.  Try reading something mind numbing in dim light.  Don’t watch TV, commercials tend to be stimulating.  Bright lights also make you more alert.  Reading something job related, or financial, can get the mind whirring again, and that’s not conducive to sleep.

2.  Get right out of bed.  By sitting there in the dark, wondering why you’re not asleep, you’ll actually keep yourself up.  Get out of bed and try number 1.

3.  Visualize.  The old “count sheep” routine actually works.  If you don’t like sheep for some reason, think of yourself walking up or down an endless staircase, or maybe walking down a moonlit beach.  Any relaxing scene you can think of will work.

4.  Listen to some white noise.  Turn on a fan, a humidifier, dehumidifier, anything that creates a buzz or a hum.  For some people this makes for a little extra comfort and helps you get back to sleep.

5.  Lose the clock.  Take that gigantic, illuminated, digital clock and turn it around or put a shirt over it.  The light of it will stimulate your brain keeping you awake, and watching the clock doesn’t help you get back to sleep.

These tips aren’t necessarily scientifically proven, but they will help if you find yourself in a similar situation that I was in last night.  If only I had written this blog yesterday…

As always,  Art.

If counting sheep can’t help, try updating your bedroom at slumbermart.com.