News Taffy

I usually don’t make New Year’s resolutions, but sometime in the wee hours of New Year’s day, I found a resolution worth making. I had a difficult time sleeping, mainly due to someone who must not be named's snoring. This is not unusual, but it finally dawned on me that lack of sleep is exactly why I am irritable and tired many mornings. I finally decided to do whatever it takes to get a good nights sleep, even if it means sleeping in another room. We’ll all be better for it.

Lack of sleep is a serious problem. It affects your memory, your ability to concentrate, slows your mental process, can lead to headaches or migraines, a weakened immune system or muscle aches and pains. Chronic lack of sleep can increase your risk for certain diseases such as heart disease, obesity, cancer or diabetes. Studies have indicated that people who sleep less than 7 hours a night are more likely to be overweight. Sleep deprived people may develop problems regulating their blood sugar and maintaining normal levels of the hormones that control appetite. A lack of sleep may put the body in a state of high alert, driving up blood pressure.

You may also be more prone to falling asleep at work, which could lead to serious injury depending upon what you do, or being fired for not performing your job. You might also fall asleep while driving and cause injury or death to an innocent person.

Since we have tried many things for the snoring and I don’t fancy spending time in the penitentiary for murder, it is time to try something else. I am trying ear plugs (not much success last night) and also sleeping in another room. I plan to take Melatonin more regularly. Melatonin is a hormone produced in the pineal gland in your brain that regulates sleep and waking cycles. You can buy a synthetic version in any drug or health food store to further aid sleep in a natural way.

Don’t worry if you suffer from occasional sleep problems, but if lack of sleep is a common occurrence, it is likely affecting you adversely, so take some action. A bedtime routine is just as good for adults as toddlers so set up and follow a pattern that should include no tech interference after a certain time, say 10 p.m. That means get off the computer, quit checking facebook on your phone and turn off the TV. Ban caffeine after 2 p.m. All exercise should be complete by 8 p.m. to allow your body to settle. A few yoga stretches and some deep breathing may help you relax. I like to read a few minutes before turning out the light, but keep reading short.

If you and your partner have much different sleep needs, such as one likes it cold, the other wants some white noise, perhaps you should talk about your sleeping arrangements. Plenty of marriages work just fine and probably better because the spouses don’t sleep together. My parents were married happily for 50 years because they recognized that people aren’t always good sleeping companions. If kids sleeping with you every night is a problem, grow a spine and wean them to their own bed. There are plenty of books or online help for that problem.

Happy sleeping, and to all a good night!

-Lisa