What do you do to improve your sleep?

[WillowTheWhisp]

I notice that I have some nights when my sleep is very disturbed and I wake up still feeling tired. Other mornings I wake up full of the joys of spring and raring to go but then feel drowsy by early evening. I need to stay awake and alert as much as I can especially when I am teaching a class. This next academic year my timetable has changed a lot and I'm in Uni until about 8pm one evening. I'm wondering how on earth I'll be able to cope with that without starting to yawn in class!

I have used lavender oil to help me sleep but still don't seem to get a very efficient reading from fitbit.

[SaffireNinja]

No. I had suggested doing one to my last doctor and he said there was no need to get one done. I probably will soon though. 

[WillowTheWhisp]

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@EddieDeOro wrote:

Hi Willow, Great news! What do you attribute your good night of sleep to?

Also, if you don't need an alarm do use it. If it's for work well I guess it's better to be safe than sorry. If you are sleeping through the alarm that means you aren't getting the sleep your body needs. I have yet to have a night when I sleep through out the night without waking up.

Your efficiency is great 99 percent. How did you feel after that night of sleep?  The only thing I noticed is that you took quite a while to fall asleep. It takes me about 10 to 15 minutes.

I have low cortisol levels which probably affect my waking up early on a daily basis.

Regards

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The reason why it looks like it took me a long time to fall asleep was because I set my fitbit to sleep before I actually attempted to sleep. It was probably quicker than that in reality. I do need an alarm unfortunately as I need to be up by a specific time each day, things to do, places to go. 

Even though I slept well I still ended up feeling tired later today and giving in to an early evening nap.

[EddieDeOro]

Good luck!

[EddieDeOro]

Thanks. I am sure if you continue to get quality sleep  you will feel much better in due time.

[tinkerone]

Anyone thinking about taking Melatonin should be cautious with it.  If you take to much you can have very vivid dreams, to little and it doesn't work at all.  I find if I take 1/2 of a 3mg tablet I'm okay.  Take any more than three and little devily things are flying all around me.  lol.  Seriously, you really need to make sure you don't over dose on the stuff, it does effect your sleep in a negative way.

Anyone having issues getting to sleep?  I use a Spoonk Mat and that helps me.  Not sure why, it may have something to do with the fact if I move around it pokes me so I lay still and I drift off.  Works great for me.

[WillowTheWhisp]

You don't actually sleep on the spoonk mat do you? I have one but wouldn't like to try sleeping on it. What happens when you roll over in the night?

I decided against melatonin and went in favour of lavender which seems to be having the desired effect. I've also cut out liquids late in the evening as that was causing me to make trips to the bathroom in the night.

[EddieDeOro]

In regards to melatonin, it's recommended to start with 1mg and work your way upwards until you find a dose that works for you. Men should not go over 5mg a night, for women 3mg is max. If you're groggy in the morning you are probably taking too much or your cortisol levels are too low. A saliva test will determine if your cortisol is too low. I know mine cortisol levels are low. Best regards.

[tinkerone]

I don't sleep on it all night but I do start by using it when I first go to bed.  I remove it the first time I wake up.  I don't know if its the spoonk mat itself that allows me to have a better sleep or if it is just that I can't toss and turn, I have to lay still that allows my body to rest, puts me to sleep.  

I use it every night now and I have never slept better.  

[TGMadsen]

If anyone had given me the following advice for just a month ago, I would have called them plain silly but after I have bought a new router where WiFi can be scheduled to be turned off (an on again) automatically, I have had a much deeper and better sleep during the night. Not only can I feel, that I have more energy when awake. My Fitbit Surge shows, that I have fewer restless minutes during the night too. Maybe it sounds strange and maybe not all people would benefit from turning WiFi off, but I sure have 🙂

Best regards

TGMadsen

[EddieDeOro]

You are correct. I have been turning off my router for a couple of months. I may have to order one of those that turn off automatically. Do you mind sharing the make and model? Thanks

[TGMadsen]

It's an Asus RT-AC68U. Lots of nice features ☺

[EddieDeOro]

Thanks TGMadsen! Much appreciated.

[TGMadsen]

You are welcome 🙂

[Ray94903]

LOL

[Yusri]

Good to know you get better sleeps now

[CallieM]

@WillowTheWhisp this is such a great thread that you started, and I'm glad your sleep has improved as a result of the advice on this thread (:

[paulminors]

This may be a bit out there for some people, but something my wife and I have found works well is - sleeping naked. When you're not wearing restrictive clothing you don't toss and turn in your sleep as much. It's also great for your relationship and feeling closer to the person you're with.