“The worst thing in the world is to try to sleep and not to.”
— F. Scott Fitzgerald
I am truly blessed because most of my life, I have been able to fall asleep easily. I created a simple routine over the years.
Usually by 10 p.m. I enjoy a cup of non-caffeinated hot tea, brush my teeth, use my beauty cream, and then lie down. Tada — off to a good night’s sleep.
Well… that was until the other night.
I think the tea I drank may have had caffeine! I followed my usual ritual and climbed into bed. Hmm. My brain was racing a hundred miles an hour. My body did not even want to rest. I persevered and lay there for a couple of hours, hoping sleep would come.
It was a bit cool that night, and I started to feel chilled. “Maybe I should get up again,” I said to myself. But I stayed tucked in, hoping and waiting.
I bet many of you have had nights like this.
An occasional restless night is common, but if it becomes frequent, it may be a health concern worth paying attention to.
Sleep is not lazy time. When we sleep, our bodies go into repair mode. Brain health, hormone balance, memory, mood, and our circadian rhythm all depend on quality rest.
Simple habits can help improve sleep. Try keeping a regular bedtime, avoiding caffeine late in the day, turning off screens earlier, and keeping your bedroom cool, dark, and comfortable.
Gentle stretching, calming music, prayer, meditation, or reading something peaceful may also help settle the mind.
Tracking your sleep can also be very helpful when speaking with your healthcare provider. Make note of how many hours you sleep, how often you wake up, if you snore, nap during the day, or wake feeling tired.
These details can provide important clues about your overall health.
If you regularly struggle with sleep, wake up exhausted, snore heavily, or notice changes in your health, it is important to speak with your healthcare provider.
Tonight, I will definitely double-check my tea label before bedtime.
Sweet dreams, everyone.
Bonnie Dixon
Healthy Conversations
HealthyWealthyCamper.com