Wednesday 2 November 2016

A Good Night's Sleep ~~~

Hello Friends ~~~

I don't normally talk about these things, but this is just too useful not to share and if it helps you, then who am I to keep it to myself? I may have cracked the issue of how to get a good night's sleep ~ at last!

Now, I've never been a good sleeper. I can count the number of really good nights of sleep I've had, probably in my entire life, on one hand.  Even as a child, I seldom woke up feeling fully refreshed and restored, but have learned to live with it and adjust my life accordingly as best as I can.

I know, for some, restless nights seem to arrive with the menopause and never leave, and as we get older we seem to naturally sleep less, but for me, ever since I was a child I've struggled with falling asleep at a good and proper time. I've blamed it on a lot of things too, starting with having to share a room with my Nanna and we'd talk into the wee small hours about gardening and baking, and of all things space exploration and the Universe! So, my pattern of staying awake seems to have established at quite a young age. As I moved into my teens, many a late night was spent, snuggled under a mountain of blankets, listening to Radio Luxembourg on my tiny transistor radio with a tiny earphone so nobody knew what I was up to!  Of course, getting up for school in the morning was not easy but somehow, over the years, this lack of sleep seemed to balance out by staying in bed as late as I could manage every morning. It didn't affect my schoolwork and my academic achievements were glowing to say the least, so why bother about getting sleep if you don't need it?

Years pass, and the situation continues, until I reached breaking point as the hour I was falling asleep, after tossing and turning for hours, became five a.m. Try and get up at seven o'clock in the morning on just two hours sleep day after day after day. You just cannot. Thankfully, I living in Iceland at the time and was not working and had no responsibilities as such, so I just went with it, sleeping until midday and letting my body clock adjust accordingly. Sometimes I was out walking in the twenty four hour daylight at three in the morning out of sheer boredom. Of course, that doesn't work for ever.

Over the years I've been given so much advice and help, both informal and professional. I've tried not going to bed until I'm properly tired; working out and exercise; meditation, crystals, essential oils, massage and Reiki; diet and not eating late in the evening; reading and listening to music or meditative music; keeping a note book by the bed to clear my thoughts; drinking herbal tisanes and concoctions of every sort you can think of; switching off devices and television early; light therapy; I've even tried a course of sleeping tablet {never again!} and been to a psychiatrist! Oh, and any combination you can make of the above too!  I have been told by holistic healers that my Circadian Rhythm is all out of balance, possibly as great as 30 hours rather than the 24/25 hours it should be, and that is what is to blame.

You name it, I've tried it but ~~~

NOTHING WORKS!!!

~~~ Until now ~~~ 

Are you ready for this?

Then, a few months ago one of my Facebook online friends shared yet another link on how to cure insomnia by wearing bed socks to bed as a possible solution.  I sniffed at this, just another gimmick, but then, a few weeks ago it popped up from another source so I took a bit more notice and then thought I'd give it a go; it can't hurt, can it?

Guess what?  Well, you probably already worked it out where this is going ~~~ 

IT WORKED!!!

Since starting this about a month ago I've fallen asleep very quickly most nights {other than when I have had a snack too late in the evening to digest properly} and had a good night of restful restorative sleep each night. A couple of nights I've forgotten and guess what? Back to Square One with difficulty falling asleep.  I am amazed! Not only do I wake up refreshed and restored but I've got loads more energy, my mood has improved no end, and I'm a different person all together!

I've looked further into this and, apparently, it has to do with keeping your feet just a few degrees warmer than the rest of your body. Now, I know this is going to get some of you saying that you are already too hot in bed at night. I am, and I spend a lot of time with my legs hanging over the edge of the bed BUT trust me on this and try it. What's the worst that can happen? You end up kicking the socks off, right? But what if it works and you get that elusive night of good sleep ~ every night that you wear those socks?

WHAT IF???


Until next time ~~~
Deborah xoxo



14 comments:

  1. This is so interesting, Deb! I too have many problems sleeping. This has happened to me in the last ten years and not an always problem for me. I've tried many things and the last being taking 3mg of melatonin as prescribed by the doctor. It worked but I've had unpleasant side affects--so now I'm back to tossing and turning. I'll try anything ---what can it hurt? Hot feet? I'll let you know. xoxo ♥

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    1. Lack of sleep is a horrible thing so do try it, no nasty side effects other than warm feet! I also take a magnesium supplement which has eliminated some night time nasties too. Apparently, due to intensive farming methods we could all be magnesium deficient without knowing it! xoxo

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  2. I am having awful trouble again, and yes it is to do with the menopause, I am in despair, I have been feeling really down and depressed, I always try and keep going though. I have had sleeping pills in the past and have been tempted to have them again, but I don't like the after effects. I can't stand wearing socks, but in the winter I do, I don't really fancy wearing them to bed, I will give this a go though as I am on breaking point now, thankyou for sharing and I will let you know the verdict. x

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    1. I don't like wearing socks to bed either, but it is a small price to pay for a night of restful sleep and waking up restored and alert. I bought a pair of very soft, fluffy bed socks that are heavenly and soothing to put on and now I hardly notice them. xo

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  3. Such interesting information for those of us who suffer from insomnia. At least, it's worth a try! I have worn socks to bed on cold, frosty nights, but it never occurred to me that they would help with sleep! Going to give it a try!�� Thanks! ��

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    1. Let us know how you get on. At least we all have a pair of socks and there wont' be any nasty side effects xoxo

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  4. My insomnia started with Graves disease (a thyroid disorder). Sometimes even sleeping pills don't help, Melatonin makes me feel horrible all of the next day, headachey and exhausted. Sleeping socks do help me, as does a small mug of warm milk with vanilla extract in it. Warm milk alone does nothing for me. The vanilla added seems to make a difference. I have also tried just dabbing vanilla on my neck, right under my nose, etc., to save on calorie intake from the milk. Vanilla alone did nothing for me either. It seems the combination of the two is best for me. I have fallen asleep, waking right up when I have spilled the milk after falling asleep while holding the mug.

    May all of us reading here have a good night's sleep tonight.

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    1. I am waiting the results of thyroid testing right now, but mine has gone on for so long I think it is just my body clock. I think we all have to keep trying until we find what works for us. Good luck!

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  5. I wear my socks to bed on nights I am cold, but I shall do it nightly and watch to see what happens. I am so curious now to see what we all experience. lol

    Darlene

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    1. Let me know! I'll send you a hot water bottle if you want lol xoxo

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  6. Well you sure have my curiousity up! Most of my adult life I have slept like a log....until menopause...in my forties! Since then I still fall asleep within 2 seconds after hitting the pillow, but 4 to 5 hours later....I am awake. Depending on what is going on in my life, I may fall back to sleep, I may not. I also have claustrophobic feet!! So this should be interesting! I hope everyone who tries it reports back!
    Chris...West TX

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    1. Yes, Chris, I hope everyone will report back. I'll probably do a little thread just to ask in about a month or so.

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  7. Insomnia is not a constant problem for me, but my daughter struggles with it and I'm going to forward this info to her. I do wear socks when it's cold, and they don't really bother me. Maybe keeping a nice soft pair in my bedside table will the ticket for "those" nights. I'm so glad something (so simple!) has finally helped you, and thank you for sharing! jen

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    1. Sometimes it is the simple things that work the best. Hope it helps your daughter. Deb xo

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