To sleep...

posted about 1 year ago

"To sleep, perchance to dream - ay, there's the rub."


I know Hamlet wasn’t thinking about losing weight when he said this, but in the 10 weeks of being on the Best Life Diet there remains one challenge I face daily, um, I mean nightly. It’s even more challenging than turning down dessert or watching my food portions. Sleep. Easy, deep, peaceful, natural sleep. I envy people who slip off to dreamland the second their head hits the pillow. I honestly think I would choose this ability over winning a million dollars. In a heartbeat. How could something so simple and seemingly effortless become so elusive?

I have what is commonly referred to as sleep apnea and restless leg syndrome. After bouts of childhood insomnia, and dozing off during class lectures, a sleep study I participated in uncovered my diagnosis. Yes, I can finally go to sleep--and pretty much stay asleep--but only with the help of 2 prescription medications, not Mr. Sandman. I almost feel I'm being held hostage by little white and yellow pills. I've tried various herbs--chamomile, valerian, you name it. Exercise used to help, but I'm not sure how well it works now because not taking the meds means not going to sleep that night.

It turns out that good quality sleep, and enough of it, is essential not only for our well being, but may play a role in losing weight and keeping it off. There's stress research I've read which talks about the body producing cortisol. That’s the hormone that puts fat around our middles, and it does it when we're sleep deprived! And I've noticed that I'm hungrier, and less able to control my food intake and choices when I'm short on zzz's. A good night's sleep makes me feel happier, more energetic, and more productive. When I started working out with a trainer in the first few weeks of the Best Life program, the first thing he told us was he would be able to tell if we weren't eating properly or getting enough sleep because we wouldn't be able to do the workout! He couldn't have been more accurate! Recuperative sleep and good nutrition are necessary to build the muscle we break down in weight resistance. That's how we grow stronger, fitter, and firmer. That's why the jeans I couldn't fit in just 10 weeks ago feel tailor-made today.

Now I'm going to ask for your input. We know sleep is good. I want to know how all of you cope with insomnia and restlessness on a regular basis. Have any of you found natural, dependable methods for getting sleepy, falling asleep, staying asleep, dreaming? I'm closing my eyes and wishing one or many of you will have the answer...

Comments

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1. about 1 year ago Greenskeeper wrote:

My Sister-in-law had trouble going to sleep and she asked me how I went to sleep so qiick and I told her to think about keeping her toungue off the roof of her mouth. She tried it and couldn't thank me enough. Hope it helps.

2. about 1 year ago jlkinkona wrote:

according to Dr. Mercola, you have to have a dark room for sleeping. No night lights.

3. about 1 year ago earevette wrote:

I take 2 tablets of 3mg of melatonin, and Im off to slumberland

4. about 1 year ago albannach wrote:

Listen and think only of your breathing all the way through this:
Lie on your back and take 8 deep breaths, all the way to your belly.
Turn to your left side and take 16 similar breaths.
Turn to your right side and take 32 similar breaths.

5. about 1 year ago winner64 wrote:

My mother suffered restless leg syndrome for years and years and the only meds that came close to helping were carpidopa/levo...even with that she took tranquilizers and sleeping pills. The doctors worried she would become addicted. She didn't care and died at 95 just six weeks ago.
I've had insomnia for decades. Medicate with white wine most of the time but that only helps to fall asleep not stay alseep all night. Then at 3am I go into the sleeping pill mode. Always told myself I wouldn't follow in mom's footsteps but I've tried toughing it out night after night but that's rough when you have to get up for a job. I feel like I've been in a fog for years. The brain is definitely not as sharp as it should be. I'd like to get off this viscious cycle myself but don't know how.
Earevette...where do you get the melatonin? Is it by prescription?

6. about 1 year ago Junestone wrote:

Two days ago a lady wrote about listening to your breath and keep all other thoughts out of your mind. You have to work at it, but after a few nights it does work. Counting five exhales over and over again also works, and once you learn to keep the racing thoughts out of your mind, you will fall asleep as you count. Wear a sleep mask that keeps out the light. Serotonin needs to be replaced in the brain as you sleep, and one requires darkness to do that. The restless leg syndrome runs in my family, it seems to be inherant, however, it also seems to ease off as you age. I'm 73 and mine is gone now. That's something to look forward to, ageing has a lot of good points!!!!!!!!!!

7. about 1 year ago Billfleming wrote:

I had the same problem. My issue was that I would wake up and start thinking about stuff, most of it just things that I had been stressing out on during the day. I found that once I fully "de-stressed" during the day, I would sleep better. For me, I found a Swedish product that really helped me. It is called Arctic Root, and it is a product from a company in Sweden called "Swedish Herbal Institute." They've been taking it for one thousand years in Sweden, so there was no safety issue. Anyway, this herb every day and some relaxation breathing exercises (from "The Art of Living") made me sleep like a baby. Arctic Root is taken in the AM, and you get a nice energy boost out of it as well, but it really did remove my stress and it made my thinking clearer. You can find "The Art of Living" on the web, and the Arctic Root comes from a company called ProActive BioProducts, at 877-282-5366. They have a website too, www.proactivebio.com but I just call them. Anyway, good luck and try some deep breathing and perhaps even some Arctic Root to destress!

8. about 1 year ago rkall wrote:

I find that regular exercise of an hour or more of cardio and or weight lifting helps me sleep easy. You may want to skip the pills and take a shot of whiskey before bed. That's better than being dependent on pills!
Ron