As I get older my struggles with insomnia seem to be getting worse. The definition of insomnia by webterms.com is “the perception or complaint of inadequate or poor-quality sleep because of one or more of the following: difficulty falling asleep; waking up frequently during the night with difficulty returning to sleep; waking up too early in the morning; or unrefreshing sleep. A video on WebMD entitled “Women and Sleep” claims that 50% of women suffer from a sleep disorder and usually it’s insomnia.
Are you a woman? Do you suffer from insomnia? What do you think are the causes?
For me, the number one reason is worry. I know I’ve probably talked about my bad habit of worrying; it wreaks havoc in my life. I know there’s no sense in worrying about things I have little control over. But still… How do you deal with worry? I could use some suggestions!
WebMD lists the following causes for insomnia in women:
- Major life change
- Worrying at night
- Using the night to plan their next day
- Obsessing about not sleeping
- Putting life (family, career, social events, etc.) before sleep
4 out of 5 of these described me. Do you have more to add to the list and how did you score?
Some suggestions to combat insomnia:
- Keep a sleep log
- Relax before bed; find some time to wind down
- Practice sleep restriction therapy
- Spend no more than 10-20 minutes lying in bed awake
- Lack of sleep is not something to be afraid of; there is help
- Self-disipline – go to bed earlier instead of staying out late with friends.
- Keep pets out of the bed
Last but not least, one article on WebMD addresses Wonder Women. These are the hardest women to convince to help themselves, but they are the ones who need it most. Wonder Women (married, working full time, with school aged kids): take care of yourselves so you can take care of those you love. Do yourself and your family a favor and schedule in a little extra time for you. During the “you” time, try to keep exercise, sex, and relaxation part of the “you” schedule. You’ll feel better and get better sleep.
My family labels me “overcommitted”. I always seem to push through to keep fulfilling my committments no matter how tired I am. I use to feel guilty for taking time for myself. No more!
The more I understand the impact sleep has on my life, the more I have let go of the feeling I’m being selfish by taking time for myself. It’s not true! I am a much happier, more productive, and successful person when I take a little time to invest in me —- so that I can continue to give to others.
By Emily S.
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