Here we go again...four bootcamps and Zumba started last week. MY bootcamp session starts tomorrow, another starts next week. Yoga is coming back next month. I have to work on payroll, pay my rent. My sister's wedding shower is coming up and I have to get the invitations out. My 9-yr old son with Asperger's is a closet chocolate eater and I have to deal with it sooner rather then later.....AHHHHHHH! All of this and the laundry, bills, another snow storm, etc. is putting me into another viscious cycle of insomnia. I was doing so well. Two months of sleeping through the night. Then all of sudden, the sleepless nights return again from nowhere. I have gotten about 4 hours the past two nights and I am one that needs at least 7 hours to function. When I can't sleep, I become extremely irritable, short-tempered, cranky and overwhelmed. I also drink so much coffee to try to function that I slack on my water intake and my workouts drag due to lack of energy. Oh the viscious cycle. I know everyone that is reading this, can commiserate with me. We all go through cycles of insomnia and lack of sleep. However, we must address the issue and do something about it before our health takes a turn for the worst. I know that once my class starts tomorrow and my stress decreases over the next few weeks, my sleep will regulate again. I must however, help it along. This morning when I awoke at 4:00 a.m. and laid there for 45 minutes thinking of EVERYTHING that I have to do including cleaning the old clementines out of the fridge, I decided to get up and make a to-do list of everything floating around in my head. Though my list is about 4 pages long, I now have everything written down and somehow it seems much more "doable". Some other tips to get a good night's sleep (7-8 hrs):
1. Ease up on the caffeine after the noon hour
2. Though alcohol can help you fall asleep, it can also disrupt your sleep pattern, stirring you up a few hours after catching a few zzzzs. No alcohol if you are having trouble sleeping
3. Get in your bed ONLY when you are ready to go to sleep. laptops and TV in bed can lead to insomnia!
Remember..lack of sleep can also mess with your metabolism, prevent weight loss and contribute to weight gain. Therefore, get your recommended 7-8 hours. If you try these tips and you still cannot sleep, see your doctor. This is not a matter to be taken lightly.
Happy Sleeping :)
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Hey Melissa. I almost never have trouble sleeping. I think it has to do with giving myself permission not to have to get to everything immediately that is not absolutely crucial. For instance, I would pay the couple of bills with imminent due dates, let the clementines sit a little longer, and wait until I'm well-rested and not irritable to tackle your son's closet chocolate addiction. Incidentally, my son is a living room chocolate addict. I say, why not let it all be out in the open? As for the laundry, why not have your son do it and reward him with chocolate? Lastly, breathe, baby, breathe. I can show you a breathing technique that will know your socks off.
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