SLEEP

by SLEEPYHEAD
(California)

Lately I've been experiencing interrupted sleep. I wake up 4 or 5 times a night and spend my days exhausted, irritable and depressed.

Any suggestions? Is this normal?

Wendy: I still sleep good, but my mother sure doesn't. She's up and down all night...
Anyone else??

Comments for SLEEP

Click here to add your own comments

Sleep Apnea?
by: Janet

In August of 2012 I was diagnosed with sleep apnea. When I went for an all-night sleep study test, from 11 pm to 6 am, I woke up every hour to use the bathroom I thought. The study showed I stopped breathing an average of 20 seconds at a time, the longest 90 minutes, and had 365 "episodes."

When I returned a week later for the second study to find the right mask and was hooked up to a CPAP machine, I only had three episodes and woke up only once in the same time period.

You may need to visit a pulmonary doctor to find out if this could be the reason you're not sleeping. Good luck!
Sleep and a little bit of music
by: Barbara Lewis

Hello,

I agree with Dean. I find that I sleep best when I do some light exercise every day. My muscles feel looser. I move more easily.
When I lie down at night, I feel that my body is calmer.

I also try to think of things that might disturb my sleep - and one by one, let them go for the night - knowing that I can't do much till the next day anyway.
Also, like others, I read a little bit before going to sleep.

A friend of mine likes to listen to music during the night if she cannot stay asleep. I think you need very un-intrusive music for that to work, but I did send her one of my "calming" songs to see if it helped. Here it is - if you'd like to give it a try. It's called, 5 minutes of peace. I wrote it while visiting a quiet island in Florida.

My best,
Barbara

http://www.barbaralewis.com/blog/2013/08/dreams-free-song-for-sleepless-humans/
Better zzzzzzzzzzzzzzz
by: Anonymous

I have difficulty falling asleep- more since I retired. I find myself thinking about work, missing the social aspect, teamwork, etc.
I have found if I put aside 30mins during the day to focus on these types of thoughts, I sleep better. Some nights I sleep better than other nights. I have started a walking routine into my day, which also helps me sleep better.
Sweet Dreams
by: Barbara (The Good Witch)

Dear Sleepyhead....before I respond to your post I'd like to invite you to join our online community. Please click on the "Friendship Here" link on the right side of this page. I will be delighted to correspond and chat with you.

I also live in California and since turning 55+ have had bouts of intermittant sleepless nights.

There are so many things that can interfere with a good nights sleep. The summer months were worse because it was hot. Now that things have cooled down I tend to sleep better.

Please write back!
Sleep
by: Diana

Sleep can be a bugaboo for seniors, especially if they have arthritis or other pain-producing conditions.

I have a double bed with a pillow-top mattress (from my marriage) and it is very comfortable. Since I lost my husband nine years ago, my habit has shifted and I often fall asleep on the couch in the living room. It might seem strange but I feel more centrally located, and even with arthritis, I normally sleep seven hours without waking.

If you can, try changing your sleeping location and see if that helps. Best of luck!
Sleep
by: Dean

How active are you during the day? Do you take naps? I retired about a year and a half ago and started the bad habit of taking a nap each day. I'm only 63 and didn't need the nap. Eliminating the nap improved my sleeping.

Another thing that helped me, 6 months ago I started an exercise program and lost 25 pounds. Finding out I had an aneurysm kind of inspired me. The fear of open heart surgery can do that! I have a lot more energy and sleep much better.

Before bedtime I cut back on liquids and have a light snack. I usually read for a half an hour before I go to sleep. On more thing I do is take a half dose generic sleeping pill each night. The instructions say to take 2.

I still wake up a couple of times a night but I am able to go right back to sleep. I hope this is some help for you.
Sleep help
by: Sheila

First, see your doctor and have a checkup. He may be able to help you by prescribing pills on a temporary basis.

Then, get more exercise, outdoors if possible. Breathe deeply.

Read more. Watch TV less.

A glass of warm milk an hour before bed helps.
These are just a few ideas. I hope they help.
Sleepless
by: Joani

Settle down before bed....stay off the computer at least 2 hours prior to bedtime....read a nice novel instead.....AND, have a bowl of Oatmeal just before turning in....Works!

Click here to add your own comments

Join in and write your own page! It's easy to do. How? Simply click here to return to Aging.



Wendy's other site... because Aging Matters!