Getting A Good Night's Sleep Is Good For The Body

This year, as we march towards the Chinese Year of the Tiger, I pledge to give myself just the right amount of sleep.

Too much sleep, I feel tired the next day. Too little sleep often robs me of the ability to do tasks the next day.

Over the past few months, I have identified a few things that have robbed me of getting a good night's sleep. 

Too Much Thinking

Yes, thinking too much and going over the day's issues and events have robbed me of precious time to snooze and relax. I tell myself to stop the midnight mindless banter and most days it works.

My best sleep aide is a cold glass of milk. Milk somehow relaxes me and I have fallen asleep usually within 30 minutes.

Too Much Alchohol

During the holiday season, I spent many sleepless nights enjoying a glass or two of wine or beer. I figured that this was indeed the culprit and stopped me from entering dreamland.

Now, I have adopted an alcohol-free agenda past 8 pm. Apparently, my practical research is backed by science. The stimulating effects of alcohol do prevent sleep, according to a study. Since I have stopped adding a cocktail past 8 pm, it seems to have done the trick - I am happy to report. I still enjoy the occasional beer or wine, but I just drink it earlier during the day.

Now I hope that my sleep agenda will become routine and one that incorporates a few things experts agree will help people suffering from insomnia.

Sleep Schedule

My sleep schedule involves going to sleep at approximately the same time every evening. So far, so good. This does mean I skip the late evening news and any Friday night horror classic movies. But the best thing is that there is always the record button which allows me to play the movie on another night.

Shut Off Electronics

Sometimes my chatty friends and family members have kept me up with their late-night text messages. Even after I advise them of my need to retire for the evening, I have continued to receive text messages. This has annoyed me and also prevented me from entering slumberland. 

Like clockwork, I have had to turn off all notifications on my cellphones to prevent me from hearing any more text messages. This has helped me tremendously. 

This also goes for TV and other audio, such as Youtube. 

Keeping to my sleep schedule involves me turning off all electronics.

I often look at my cats and gain inspiration from them. My cat, Marcia, seems to have no trouble at all falling asleep. 

But people apparently have had a heck of a time falling asleep. Over the centuries, writers like the poet, Wordsworth, have written about the subject matter.

Wordsworth writes about "FOND words have oft been spoken to thee, Sleep! And thou hast had thy store of tenderest names; The very sweetest, Fancy culls or frames, When thankfulness of heart is strong and deep!"

I feel for the people from long ago. It must have been a heck of a night for them. 

For me, when I have a sleepless night, the last thing on my mind is to write a poem. I get up, look out the window, and admire the night sky, or open the fridge and grab a snack. One night when I couldn't sleep, I ended up trying to read but couldn't stay focused enough to catch the plot. I also became more frustrated the more I couldn't sleep and dawn seemed to fast approach.

The best way for me to fall asleep is to slow, down, relax and tune out. I prefer to tune out the drug-free way, without psychedelics like magic mushrooms.

Turning out lights also helps. I have also heard the advice given by older couples who have been married for a long time. They also say the secret to their longevity is to avoid fights. That's also good advice for couples: resolve any differences before bedtime. Kiss and make-up. Good thinking. I think I will drink a glass of milk to applaud this sage advice.

My goal this year is to enjoy a good night's sleep without the use of sleep aids that are no stronger than a glass of cow's milk. A good mattress also helps.

Til next time:) Please follow me for more articles like this.