Of Sleeping Well

All over the Internet I spy articles about the vital importance of sleep.

So how've you been sleeping lately?  シ

I must say, one of the many reasons I'm happy at Hobbit Cottage is that I sleep so well here. And as Internet articles (here's a short one) tell us, we all need our 7 or 8 hours of sleep. 

Rather than just complain about the changes in my body, I'm researching why I'm feeling cranky or stiff or tired or-- 

--and I'm making changes. Many. 

In fact, I've written here before about how to sleep well, but I've tweaked that list. After all, growing older is much about tweaking, making changes, so that we'll age well and stay healthy. 

So here's my new and improved list. 

1.) I eat one main meal around noon, then something small around 5 p.m. like a bowl of cereal, slice of toast, small bowl of vegetables, spoon of peanut butter or other protein, etc. After 2:00 pm I avoid foods with sugar, including fruits, pasta and rice (even brown). I also don't drink much water after that time.

2.) Shortly before bedtime I take these vitamins:

1 Melatonin (300 mcg)
1 Krill Oil  (1,000 mg)
1 Magnesium pill

After that powerful 'bedtime potion' I'm usually asleep less than ten minutes after my head hits the pillow.

3.) Tom and I sleep in separate bedrooms. Now, giggle all you want, but we both sleep sooo much better this way and I believe we're healthier and happier together as a couple for it. (When you're married, it's perfectly acceptable for couples to do anything which works for both of them, critics be darned.)

4.) I go to bed the same time (pretty much) each night. Lately, that's been between 8:00 and 8:30 which--ok--sounds ridiculous. But I love to awaken between 5:00 am and 6:00 because I'm in love with mornings.

How do I still have a social life? When Tom and I get together with friends, it's for lunch, around noonish. Has worked for us for years.

5.) Other contributing factors:

I gave up caffeine (real coffee) years ago. The littlest bit now, even early in the morning, would keep me awake all night. (Update: I occasionally have it, then double my dose of melatonin.)
Comfortable pillows (vital).
A small fan to block out things that go bump in the night.
A pitch-black room (or close). 
A window opened just a half-inch for moistened outdoor air (for sinus help). 
A comfortable bed.
I take no sleeping medications and don't plan on taking any, ever. I'll just keep tweaking this list if necessary.


If you're not sleeping well, I hope you'll keep seeking until you find what works. Is it a bit of a bother to do all this? Yes, a little. But the bigger bother is to not sleep morph into something we do not wish to be. 

Sleep. I have a feeling it's more important than any of us realize.

*******


Oh, and I always buy the vitamins when they're BuyOneGetOneFree (often using a coupon for an additional $1 or $2 off) unless they're cheaper at, say, Vitacost.com. I wrote out best prices for each on an index card and carry it with me inside my coupon wallet for quick reference.

Krill oil can be found for a sane price at Amazon and Walmart.