irritating and contradictory sleep hygiene advice
Question:
– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – hi folks. as i have had a long standing problem with insomnia, i often read articles about sleep related issues. on the subject of sleep hygiene i keep coming across these two contradictory ideas: 1) you should go to bed at the same time every night. this will teach your body to get sleepy at that time. 2) you should not go to bed until you feel sleepy. otherwise you’ll just lay awake for ages staring at the ceiling. which of these statements strikes you as most correct? or do you think it probably depends on the individual? many thanks =) — _TJ_ Hi TJ, I’ve battled insomnia for years, read all of the advice and finally came to what works best for me. It’s more important to get up at the same time every day, not go to bed at the same time every night. If I get so sleepy during the day that I can’t stand it, I will allow myself a 20 minute nap, but not a 2 hour one! That will really mess up your sleep schedule. As for me, I go to bed when I get sleepy, but get up at the same time regardless of when I go to bed. It’s good to do relaxing things before bed. Maybe turn on some low music and read for half an hour – nothing to stimulating. And this one I cannot vouch for: it is some advice I heard on the radio, and I have not tried this, but it supposedly came from sleep experts. They said to hop on one foot, (I am not kidding) for 30 seconds. Not vigorously.. but in theory, it takes all of your attention and puts it toward your balance – and diverts it away from things that might be running through your mind and keep you awake. It is supposed to be a way to clear your mind. As I said, I have not tried this, and I’m sure, YMMV.. but I thought I’d throw it out for anyone who might want to try it.
I too will give this a shot Sally when I have one of those really restless nights and report back. Interesting… Carl Love, Sally — The charter is available at: http://readystump.algebra.com/~asapm
– The charter is available at: http://readystump.algebra.com/~asapm
Response:
For me, I have to go to bed when I am sleepy, which is not a problem too much lately. I have to get up at 4am and work 4 days, 10 hours a day. I also have to drive an hour to and from work (it’s worth it) It absolutely catches up with me. My doc did give me Ambien and it truly helps especially if I have had a long day LIKE TODAY! nite nite all, Vicki
– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – hi folks. as i have had a long standing problem with insomnia, i often read articles about sleep related issues. on the subject of sleep hygiene i keep coming across these two contradictory ideas: 1) you should go to bed at the same time every night. this will teach your body to get sleepy at that time. 2) you should not go to bed until you feel sleepy. otherwise you’ll just lay awake for ages staring at the ceiling. which of these statements strikes you as most correct? or do you think it probably depends on the individual? many thanks =) — _TJ_ — The charter is available at: http://readystump.algebra.com/~asapm
– The charter is available at: http://readystump.algebra.com/~asapm
Response:
I’ve battled insomnia for years, read all of the advice and finally came to what works best for me. It’s more important to get up at the same time every day, not go to bed at the same time every night.
thanks sally! something tells me your method is probably the one that would work for me the best. And this one I cannot vouch for: it is some advice I heard on the radio, and I have not tried this, but it supposedly came from sleep experts. They said to hop on one foot, (I am not kidding) for 30 seconds.
lol i never heard that one before. i’ll certainly have to give it a go if i have a busy mind one of these nights =) — _TJ_ — The charter is available at: http://readystump.algebra.com/~asapm
Response:
– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – hi folks. as i have had a long standing problem with insomnia, i often read articles about sleep related issues. on the subject of sleep hygiene i keep coming across these two contradictory ideas: 1) you should go to bed at the same time every night. this will teach your body to get sleepy at that time. 2) you should not go to bed until you feel sleepy. otherwise you’ll just lay awake for ages staring at the ceiling. which of these statements strikes you as most correct? or do you think it probably depends on the individual? many thanks =) — _TJ_
(grin) Good observation TJ. I’ve noticed this contradiction as well. Personally, I find myself going back and forth between the two. Sometimes one approach works best and other times the other approach works best. Best Wishes, Arthur — The charter is available at: http://readystump.algebra.com/~asapm
Response:
– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – hi folks. as i have had a long standing problem with insomnia, i often read articles about sleep related issues. on the subject of sleep hygiene i keep coming across these two contradictory ideas: 1) you should go to bed at the same time every night. this will teach your body to get sleepy at that time. 2) you should not go to bed until you feel sleepy. otherwise you’ll just lay awake for ages staring at the ceiling. which of these statements strikes you as most correct? or do you think it probably depends on the individual? many thanks =) — _TJ_
Hi TJ, I’ve battled insomnia for years, read all of the advice and finally came to what works best for me. It’s more important to get up at the same time every day, not go to bed at the same time every night. If I get so sleepy during the day that I can’t stand it, I will allow myself a 20 minute nap, but not a 2 hour one! That will really mess up your sleep schedule. As for me, I go to bed when I get sleepy, but get up at the same time regardless of when I go to bed. It’s good to do relaxing things before bed. Maybe turn on some low music and read for half an hour – nothing to stimulating. And this one I cannot vouch for: it is some advice I heard on the radio, and I have not tried this, but it supposedly came from sleep experts. They said to hop on one foot, (I am not kidding) for 30 seconds. Not vigorously.. but in theory, it takes all of your attention and puts it toward your balance – and diverts it away from things that might be running through your mind and keep you awake. It is supposed to be a way to clear your mind. As I said, I have not tried this, and I’m sure, YMMV.. but I thought I’d throw it out for anyone who might want to try it. Love, Sally — The charter is available at: http://readystump.algebra.com/~asapm
Response:
hi folks. as i have had a long standing problem with insomnia, i often read articles about sleep related issues. on the subject of sleep hygiene i keep coming across these two contradictory ideas: 1) you should go to bed at the same time every night. this will teach your body to get sleepy at that time. 2) you should not go to bed until you feel sleepy. otherwise you’ll just lay awake for ages staring at the ceiling. which of these statements strikes you as most correct? or do you think it probably depends on the individual? many thanks =) — _TJ_ — The charter is available at: http://readystump.algebra.com/~asapm
