Question by ablekominsky: My sleep habits are the worst. How do I change my life around?
Actually, I know the standard answers. Get a good routine going, go to bed at same hour and up at same hour every day, good diet, exercise, relaxation, blah blah blah. The trouble is I am now 73 and this has gone on for 11 years since my wife died. I live alone and have none of the good habits because I am always in the same rut and unable to change or, if I do change, it is for about two or three days and then I stay up to 3 AM and sleep to noon. Today, I am so mad. I stayed up ALL night and now it is sunny and 9:30 AM. I am not sleepy after being up for 22 hours, but know I need some sleep. I am afraid this is another lost day. I’ve been to the “sleep specialists” taken numerous sleep tests, got machine for sleep apnea, meds for sleeping and anxiety and depression. So why am I still up all night? Worst of all I don’t do anything productive in those night hours when I am awake. My best working times are, like most people, during the day.
Best answer:
Answer by selfirst
I am sorry to hear about your wife. It is kind of hard to answer your question because you have been to all the specialist and they have giving you everything from medicine to some form of treatment and it hasn’t helped.
I suffer with insomnia at times my doctor has giving me sleeping pills but I don’t take them to strong. What I found to help me on those really stressful sleepless days is: tea, getting a book to read, and prayer.
Also you might want to try a natural sleep aid (Melatonin) here are some facts about it, you can find it at your local vitamin or nutrition store.
Melatonin is a popular remedy to help people fall asleep when the sleep/wake cycle has been disturbed, such as in shift workers or people who with jet lag.
Melatonin is a hormone found naturally in the body. The pineal gland in the brain makes serotonin which is then converted into melatonin at night when exposure to light decreases.
Melatonin is typically taken about 30 minutes before the desired bedtime. Some experts caution that melatonin should not be used by people with depression, schizophrenia, autoimmune diseases, and other serious illness. Pregnant and nursing women should not use melatonin.
I hope things get better, I will be praying for you!
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