Is Sleep Possible During This Crises? Part II

Challenge to wake our mind

Dealing with the craziness of staying healthy during a pandemic is a real challenge. One important thing we can do is to get a good night’s sleep. However, so many women struggle with making this happen on a regular and repeated basis. We need to understand how serious this health issue can become.  

Are we dragging through each day? Is it more and more difficult to handle children who are out of school now? We may even find ourselves dozing off at inappropriate times. Or we may be unable to look our best because we have no energy to get ready for the day ahead. Believe it or not, all these annoying experiences are part of insomnia.  

Last week we discussed in depth how we got to this point in the first place. If you missed that post on 3/23/20, please go ahead and check it out to see where we can continue today. And be sure to click on these links for background information:

Women's Health 

Better Sleep   

Tips to Try at Home
There are many things we can try for lack of sleep before we see our doctor. Women's Health hits the nail on the head with these suggestions. [See their link above for more ideas]: 

Spring is on its way - Get outside!

• Try to go to sleep at the same time each night and get up at the same time each morning. 
• Do not nap longer than 30 minutes during the day (nor after 3pm)
• Get outside every day for some natural light.
• One or two hours before bedtime, avoid computer screens, mobile phones, or televisions. No electronic devices in the bedroom. [Hard to break the habit but it really works!]
• Follow a regular, relaxing routine at the same time each night.
• Go to bed only after winding down when ready to sleep. Do not read in bed, listen to music (except white noise which really helps), or do other activities that engage the mind.
• Keep the bedroom dark, quiet, and cool for sleeping. Use a sleep mask or light-blocking curtains. Use earplugs, a fan, or a white noise machine or app on your phone to block out sounds. [Love this one!]
• Do not drink alcohol, caffeine, or use nicotine for at least five hours before bedtime.
• Get regular physical activity during the daytime. Caution: exercise close to bedtime, or anytime in the five or six hours before sleeping, can make it harder to fall asleep.
• Do not eat heavy meals or drink a lot of liquids two to three hours before bed.
• If sleep still does not come after about 20 minutes of getting into bed and turning out the light, get out of bed and do something relaxing until sleepy (no electronics!).
• See a doctor or sleep specialist for insomnia if nothing else is working.

Where's the Switch?

It seems like our minds are like little machines that someone forgot to turn off the switch. So, we have to ask, WHO created and controls our mind? You may or may not know that the One and Only true God created every little piece of us inside and out. 

So, it is obvious that our very first suggestion or tip for improving our sleep habits have to do with speaking to the One who knows us completely--our Creator! He understands our difficulties with this problem. God is just waiting for us to open a conversation with Him. He only requires that we ask for His help. Let's try that tonight and every night. We might really be surprised how soon God will react in our favor!

"In peace I will lie down and sleep, for you alone, O Lord, will keep me safe" (Psalm 4:8 NLT).

Is Sleep Possible During This Crises? Part I

Cozy Time

Especially this month and perhaps several more months ahead, dealing with the craziness of staying healthy during a pandemic is a real challenge. But our days must go on. One important thing we can do is to get a good night’s sleep.

Nothing is more relaxing for most people than getting into our own bed between cool, clean sheets and a super soft pillow (or two or three). Cuddling up inside a cozy blanket and closing our eyes to block out the world while we drift away into dreamland intending to enjoy seven or eight hours of calm and quiet. Perfect serenity!

That is one version of the ideal night so we can wake up refreshed and ready to go in the morning. But so many women struggle with making this happen on a regular and repeated basis including this blog writer! Aside from the aggravation of not being able to fall asleep or stay asleep, there are some serious health issues we should understand. 

If we drag through our day working from home now and struggle to handle children who are out of school, we may tend to doze off at inappropriate times. Or we may be unable to look our best because we had no energy to get ready for the day ahead. We might recognize some of these many symptoms of insomnia.     

What's the Big Deal About Sleep? 
We may conclude four hours of restless sleep is adequate because we've been doing that for weeks or months! But a good night's sleep of seven to eight hours provides restoration and healing for our body. If we can't remember anything about the conversation we had with a friend just two hours ago or we forget to pick up anything for dinner, our lack of sleep may be on its way to becoming our own personal health crisis.

The Women's Health organization puts this issue into a "nutshell" for us: "Sleep is essential for good health. During sleep, our bodies and brains repair themselves. Some research suggests our brains use the time during sleep to clear away toxins that build up during the day. Sleep is also important for our ability to learn and form memories. Not getting enough sleep puts people at risk for health problems, including high blood pressure, obesity, and depression." Click on the following link to learn more: Women's Health 

Seven Warning Signs

Focus on what's important

Maybe a more comprehensive symptom list would help us determine if insomnia is something to speak to our physician about getting a diagnosis. Let's try and honestly check off any of these warning signs:

·   Difficulty falling asleep at night

·   Waking up during the night or too early

·   Not feeling well-rested after a night's sleep

·   Daytime tiredness or sleepiness

·   Irritability, depression or anxiety

·   Difficulty paying attention, focusing on tasks or remembering

·   Increased errors or accidents

Now click on the following Mayo Clinic link for more information: Better Sleep   

One Minute Idea

There is one Person who knows us better than anyone else. God knows what we are dealing with and He knows what we can do about it if we ask. Let’s never try and go to sleep without checking in with the Lord God Almighty who created this entire world and everyone in it. Ask Him to calm your mind and body and be sure to thank Him for His love and care!

"In peace I will lie down and sleep, for you alone, O Lord, will keep me safe" (Psalm 4:8 NLT).