SHESPEAKS Your Power to Influence

Can't Sleep? You're Probably a Woman

SS Member Image By   drodriguez
05.18.07
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Can't Sleep? You're Probably a Woman
According to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services 60 million Americans a year experience frequent or extended bouts of insomnia. Women are twice as likely to suffer from insomnia than men. There are times in a woman’s life when insomnia is more likely to strike like during menopause, pregnancy, postpartum period, or at any point when a person is feeling especially stressed.

After reading the statistics and causes of insomnia in women it’s not a stretch to say that sleepless nights affect us all at some point in our lives, some more than others. Since prescription and over-the-counter sleeping aids can be extremely habit-forming, many women try to combat insomnia naturally.

Just a quick internet search will turn up a myriad of natural remedies claiming to be able to send you off to slumber-land in no time. Some people say no television, big meals, or vigorous exercise one hour before bedtime. Others claim that herbal teas like chamomile will help relax you enough to get some shut-eye.

Since everyone is different you may have to try it all or come up with your own ways to de-stress before you hit the sack.

Do you have a no-fail nighttime routine?
What do you do when you just can’t seem to fall asleep?

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  • kristilinn By kristilinn
    05.18.07  

    I try deep breathing and relaxing all areas of my body one at a time from toes to head.

  • CarlysMommy By CarlysMommy
    05.18.07  

    I get so aggrivated sometimes. My husband is generally asleep as soon as his head hits the pillow, but I can lay there for hours trying to get to sleep. I used to be able to catch up on the weekends by sleeping in, but that's changed since I had my daughter, who is now almost 10 months old. Now, I just feel tired all the time.

    I hate taking anything to help me sleep, but once in a great while I will take a Melatonin. I have a hard time taking anything like Tylenol PM or Nyquil because I always seem to feel so groggy the next day. I also don't want to become dependent on anything. Sometimes I will drink an herbal tea like Bigelow's Sweet Dreams tea to help me relax, but then I have to get up repeatedly to go to the bathroom because I go to bed with my bladder full.

    I really wish I could fall asleep at a decent time at night so I would have more energy to play with my daughter. As it is now, I consider it very early if I can even get to bed by 11:00 pm (and I have to be at work by 7:30 am). Even if I do manage to get to bed that early, I usually don't fall asleep that quickly. It's not unusual for me to be awake until 1:30 or 2:00 am.

    There are all kinds of studies showing that lack of sleep can affect your health and can even contribute to obesity. No wonder I feel like crap most of the time. I really wish there were a way for me to get on a more regular sleep schedule (without the use of drugs) - I'm sure if I could, that most areas of my life and health would improve.

  • didama By didama
    05.18.07  

    This is an appropriate blog topic for me today! I spend hours last night trying to fall asleep. It's the worst feeling when you know it's not going to "just happen"! You can almost feel it before you get into bed.

  • indygrandma By indygrandma
    05.18.07  

    I never really had any problems with sleep until menopause. Now there are nights I'm awake for hours or wake up MANY times during the night with those lovely power surges. All the doc suggests is black cohosh or antidepressants. No thanks -- I fell frumpy, bumpy, dumpy, lumpy, and grumpy from the lack of sleep, but at least I'm not popping pills! :)

  • girvenkl By girvenkl
    05.18.07  

    Since I hit menopause, I have problems staying asleep. I have such terrible night sweats that I wake up every night absolutely soaked!! I sleep with the air on, and I only use a sheet, and a light quilt, but still suffer. Any suggestions??

  • didama By didama
    05.19.07  

    girvenkl, you should start a discussion board topic on this!

  • GRAN54 By GRAN54
    05.19.07  

    I also have night sweats. I usually lay in bed with a thousand thoughts racing through my mind. Then when I do sleep,it's not a restful sleep ususally,because I have the craziest dreams.

  • Rae_Mari By Rae_Mari
    05.19.07  

    I've always had a problem with sleep...Its hard for me to get to sleep and stay asleep once i get there. Therew all the years the things that usually help my usually resistive sleep habits are chamomile tea and candles, lights out, vanilla scent...the combo works the best....

  • momandally07 By momandally07
    05.20.07  

    I cannot seem to fall asleep at a decent hour. I get distracted with a show and do not want to turn it off, or I get so caught up in it, I lose track of time. I can't sleep when it is pitch dark, or silent, so I leave the TV on, which makes it extremely hard not to watch it.

  • rusty2rusty By rusty2rusty
    05.20.07  

    I had the problem of not sleeping for 3 to 4 days at a time. That i would crash. being married with three kids if was real hard on me. The doctor put me on Sonata to help me sleep. I haven't had a problem since.

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