Janetti Spaghetti

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The Search for Sleep

May 17, 2021 By Janetti Spaghetti

I must confess … this is not a post that I ever thought that *I* would be writing!

My whole life I have struggled with being tired all the time (thanks to glandular fever, depression, severe anemia and sleep apnea). I’ve never had any problems with falling asleep!

And now? I find myself struggling with insomnia.

Best and Less robe and sleepwear
It might look like I’m in sleepwear, but actually I’m ready for the nightly battle with insomnia!

No matter how tired I am, it takes me hours to go to sleep at night (the husbear is the exact opposite – falls asleep pretty much straight away, only to wake in the wee hours. About the time I actually go to sleep, LOL).

It’s almost as if once I lay down, my brain goes into over-drive. How I wish I could take it out (like dentures!) and put it in a glass of water on my bedside table, until the next morning!

It’s true that I work long hours and am pretty much always on the go, so perhaps my mind doesn’t get a chance to wander freely during the day – and has to make up for lost time once I go to bed.

I have a notepad and pen by my bed so I can write down any magnificent ideas, or things that I’m worried about forgetting. But I still can’t go to sleep.

Sometimes we listen to relaxation music; and sometimes that helps. And sometimes it doesn’t.

Ditto with leaving the fan on for white noise, or the air con to make it a comfortable temperature.

I’ve tried cutting out weekend nanna naps – no dice. I still can’t go to sleep.

It doesn’t matter if I go to bed at 8.30, 10.30, or 12.30. I still can’t go to sleep.

I try to practice good sleep hygiene – ie no caffeine after lunch, making the bedroom a welcoming space, blockout curtains, regular bedtime routine, try not to use my phone/computer immediately before bed etc.

But I still can’t go to sleep.

I snuggle up to the husbear and/or to Sophie – my toy puppy. But I still can’t go to sleep.

in search of sleep

I’ve given mindfulness techniques a try – breathe in for four, out for four. Relaxing my body one part at a time, starting with my feet and working up to my head (or vice versa). If anything, my body just fights me even harder when I do this. No matter what I do I cannot get comfortable. I literally cannot keep still, and have to wiggle or twitch, or get up and go to the toilet AGAIN.

I worry that I’m annoying the husbear, but he assures me that he doesn’t notice. Much like once I’m finally asleep, I rarely register that it’s his turn to start tossing and turning!

I’m not sure why this has become such an issue for me lately. My best guess is that it is a symptom of menopause (I also suffer from the occasional hot flush, or night sweats).

Fleur loves our blankie
Miss Fleur shows us how it’s done …

Sometimes in desperation I will take a paracetamol or even an antihistamine an hour or so before bed, though it’s not a habit I really want to get into. It might just be the placebo effect but it does seem to help.

I’m not sure what to try next. A couple of people have suggested certain natural remedies to help with sleep; ; reatments, such as magnesium supplements; melatonin; using lavender or another calming essential oil in a diffuser; or Bach flower remedies.

Fleur working hard
Reminds me of a poem I learned at primary school: “Cats sleep, anywhere, any table, any chair …” HALF THEIR LUCK!

As I write this it’s around 9pm and I’m feeling tired, but I’m starting to dread bedtime because I know the battle that lies ahead.

I look back on those days when I was permanently exhausted, and how my head would literally hit the pillow and I would sink into sleep almost immediately, and almost wish it was like that again (believe me it had plenty of downsides).

So over to you dear reader: Do you have any suggestions that might help me in the search for sleep?!

Filed Under: Everything That Doesn't Fit a Category

About Janetti Spaghetti

My real name is Janet Camilleri, and I love to write. Janetti Spaghetti is my third or maybe fourth blog ... but who's counting?

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Comments

  1. Julia says

    May 17, 2021 at 1:13 pm

    I reckon you should try listening to ASMR! Works wonders for me when my mind is racing. Or maybe some herbal sleeping tablets? Check with your doctor first of course!

    • Janetti Spaghetti says

      May 18, 2021 at 8:51 am

      Ok, please explain: what is ASMR?!!! Thanks for the tips 🙂

  2. Julia says

    May 17, 2021 at 1:14 pm

    And also a warm shower right before bed!!

  3. June says

    May 19, 2021 at 2:27 pm

    I’ve had similar problems with sleep for years so I can sympathise Janet. The Calm app has good resources to help with sleep, including soothing sleep stories read by well known actors. I find that Valarian Complex tablets help and counting breaths (one on the inhale, two on exhale, till 10 then start again). If you have a lot on your mind, writing down your thoughts in a ‘stream of consciousness’ way (I.e. without any filter) can help a lot. Hope these ideas help!

  4. Denise says

    May 19, 2021 at 11:00 pm

    Yes, a warm shower because your body “cools down” for sleep so a shower may help. Also, if you can’t sleep, get up. Tossing and turning is frustrating, as you know. Get up and read, no screens. Also, maybe a meditation sleep app? We have one here in the US called HeadSpace and now I see they are even streaming on Netflix. I’ve found that listening to something gets my brain to turn off. And melatonin does help me as well.

  5. Mondy says

    May 21, 2021 at 2:00 am

    Just do what I do and stay up until you’re ready to drop. Otherwise I toss and turn for hours, so at least this way you’re productive with the time.
    Set air-con to minimum temperature and I betcha as soon as you hit the hay at 2am (as I write this), you’ll be snoozin’ in about 3 minutes.

Janet Camilleri Welcome to the world of Janetti Spaghetti! Perhaps we've already met - after all, I've been blogging for over ten years now. You may remember me from such blogs as Middle Aged Mama, Redland City Living or Footprints. I must be the master (mistress) of re-invention because here I am again! Here at Janetti Spaghetti, I'm blogging purely for the love of it - and I hope you enjoy reading, as much as I enjoy the writing. So grab a cuppa, get comfy, and come join me on the journey. Who knows where we will end up?!

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