Lack of Sleep is Keeping Me Awake

Pressure to get enough sleep keeps me awake.

They say lack of sleep can kill you.

If it doesn’t kill you, it gives you heart disease, stroke, cancer, dementia, or diabetes. If those worries don’t keep you awake, you’re also more likely to gain weight, have bad skin and car accidents.

Technically, lack of sleep doesn’t cause the maladies listed above. It makes them more likely.

Insomnia

Pressure to get enough sleep keeps me awake.

Sleep tips:

I have a brain that turns on when the lights turn off. In the past I tried falling asleep watching TV. But I’ve learned that I sleep better if I turn off TV and computer screens.

It took some discipline to not turn on the tube while in bed, but it’s worth it.

I have a friend who reads fiction before bed. Another person keeps a notepad on the bed stand to record those nagging thoughts or great ideas. (Even though sometimes those great ideas seem stupid in the morning.)

A little physical activity seems to help my sleep patterns as well.

The best thing I’ve done for my busy brain is listen to an audio book. Business and leadership books keep me awake, but biographies and fiction put me to sleep, even good ones. Thank goodness for Harry Potter.

I thought it took me a long time to fall asleep, but when I turn on Truman by David McCullough I’m out. When I wake up in the night I set the timer for 15 minutes. I don’t usually remember when the timer runs down.

If you’re worried about disturbing the person beside you, buy some earbuds for sleeping.

I’m proud to say I’m averaging a little over 7 hours a night. I’d like to get up to 8 hours, but I don’t want to worry too much about it.

What helps you get enough sleep?