I am not getting enough sleep. It's been going on since I retired 8 years ago at age 72. I meditate daily. It's been a practice since I have been 39. I am an avid reader. I read an hour before putting the light out to sleep. I take Relaxium nightly. Yet, sleep alludes me 3 out of 4 night a week. Any suggestions?
I have a white noise device to hide annoying noises that keep me awake, and if I wake in the night, I usually do deep breathing. I slowly inhale, filling my lungs, then slowly exhale, and repeat a few times. Other "tricks" I use are: think of a totally random four-letter word, then see how many words you can find beginning with each letter in turn, of your word. This keeps your mind from wandering onto issues that keep you awake. Another is: start counting up from 1, at the same time, down from 15. So, 1, 15, 2, 14, 3, 13 - and so on. Again, it's about keeping your mind busy and off troublesome thoughts, hopefully boring you into sleep! I hope any of this is a help to you, Jean.
Thank you for your suggestions to help with sleep. I shall try them as the issue comes up. I pray quietly. Prayers I learned as a child. That does help. Thank you again. Jean
I am not getting enough sleep. It's been going on since I retired 8 years ago at age 72. I meditate daily. It's been a practice since I have been 39. I am an avid reader. I read an hour before putting the light out to sleep. I take Relaxium nightly. Yet, sleep alludes me 3 out of 4 night a week. Any suggestions?
I have a white noise device to hide annoying noises that keep me awake, and if I wake in the night, I usually do deep breathing. I slowly inhale, filling my lungs, then slowly exhale, and repeat a few times. Other "tricks" I use are: think of a totally random four-letter word, then see how many words you can find beginning with each letter in turn, of your word. This keeps your mind from wandering onto issues that keep you awake. Another is: start counting up from 1, at the same time, down from 15. So, 1, 15, 2, 14, 3, 13 - and so on. Again, it's about keeping your mind busy and off troublesome thoughts, hopefully boring you into sleep! I hope any of this is a help to you, Jean.
Thank you for your suggestions to help with sleep. I shall try them as the issue comes up. I pray quietly. Prayers I learned as a child. That does help. Thank you again. Jean