Speaking of Amazon
In my life, there have been several life-changing things come about. You know, like the internet, smart phones, the Amazon Echo. There’s more I’m sure but I’m going to tell you the latest.
I have trouble sleeping. More to the point, staying asleep. I often get up two or three times a night. Sometimes I get up at 3 in the morning and just stay up because it’s pointless. Well, that’s not the case anymore. I bought a weighted blanket. Not certain exactly why it works (though I have a theory*) but, for me, it does. I’ve slept through the night every time since I started using it. YMMV.
* I think it gets back to your lizard brain from when you were swaddled by your mom when you were but a pup.
November 6th, 2019 at 6:16 pm
Interesting…
November 6th, 2019 at 7:14 pm
Cue gun controllers engaging confirmation biases: “see, gun owners are mental children who should not have access to dangerous weapons!!!!”
Way to feed them ammo.
November 7th, 2019 at 12:44 am
If it works for you, it is good.
I have slept poorly for years. I recently discovered that taking two ibuprofen before going to bed makes a huge difference. My own theory is that the pills quiet the background noise from various joint and muscle aches (high-mileage guy) and I wind up sleeping more deeply. At least, that’s my story and I am sticking to it.
November 7th, 2019 at 3:00 am
This is consistent with the wisdom of Temple Grandin’s teachings. Read her wisdom. After all, we are all animals!
I was profoundly impressed with her.
November 7th, 2019 at 8:25 am
Have you tried alcohol?
J/K.. but my problem has been I wake up and then my mind is racing and I cannot get back to sleep. I find that mild sleep aids help.. like Nyquil, zzquil, or benydryl.
Also I stop drinking liquids several hours before bed so that I don’t have a reason to get up in the middle of the night.
November 7th, 2019 at 10:30 am
Whatever works. Room temperature makes a big difference to me. My best sleeping weather is spring and fall, when there’s no HVAC, and the room is light-blanket cool.
November 7th, 2019 at 10:57 am
Melatonin works extremely well, and is much safer than taking OTC drugs. I only need the 1 mg tablets to get a much deeper sleep. I also use it when traveling across time zones to get better sleep when my sleep cycle is off.
November 7th, 2019 at 11:38 am
This whole Mom-swaddling “blankie” thing is mildly disturbing in this context.
November 7th, 2019 at 5:54 pm
I agree with Joe about Melatonin. Safe and very natural. But, if insomnia persists …
Camomile and/or Lavender herbal scents.
Increase physical exercise during the day.
Anxiety/stress? Alprozalam (trade name: Xanax).
Effective at dosages as low as 0.10mg.
Muscle tension? Tizanidine (trade name: Zanaflex).
Muscle relaxant. 2-4mg.
Ibuprofen: Taken regularly, can damage kidneys over time. Recommend lowest dosage Tylenol, instead.
Diphenhydramine: Ttaken regularly, can deplete Brain neurotransmitter chemicals, lead to cognitive decline.
CBD Oil (legal at federal level) or Marijuana(illegal).
Note: I am not a doctor, nor do I play one on TV. This is not necessarily medical advice. One has to pay for that.
November 7th, 2019 at 10:23 pm
Saved the best for last there Expat…for what ails Unc, just smoke a joint on the patio after the kids go to bed. Don’t raid the fridge. Sleep.
November 8th, 2019 at 3:06 am
ExpatNJ:
Had a Stanford research Doc, back in the 70’s, warn that he was seeing Liver damage from Tylenol in normal dosage levels. This was showing up in V.A. patients he was using in some studies. He suspected that their military service was a factor, but it was not followed up.
November 10th, 2019 at 10:44 am
Supplement with magnesium and vitamin D, both of which are deficient in the typical American diet and Both critical to optimum health and good sleep. Don’t use the cheap mag oxide, but something like mag glycinate. Unless you’re getting some significant sun exposure daily, use 5000 I.U.’s daily. RDA is a joke.
@ ExpatNJ, yes you have to pay doctor’s for medical advice which is often different and even contradictory to health advice.