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OCCASIONAL SLEEPLESSNESS? REXLAX!

There is a big difference between insomnia and sleeplessness. Insomnia is often a chronic condition that when left untreated leads to serious medical complications. Periods of "sleeplessness" are much more common and much easier to deal with.

Everyone at one time or another has had one of those nights when he or she "just couldn't get to sleep." After eight hours of tossing and turning, and watching the clock that never seems to change, they drag themselves out of bed totally exhausted and ill-prepared to face the work day ahead. However, trying to get to sleep while obsessing with the feeling fact that one "can't" accomplishes nothing but the anxiety and stress that results in the exhaustion felt at daybreak.

I have found that the best way to deal with the occasional sleepless" night is to simply accept the situation. Usually, a few deep breaths and settling in to my favorite sleeping position does the trick. But when I realize that my body is just not ready to slow down for the night, It's best to go along with it and not argue.

When my daughters were small, I would tuck them in with a whispered, "Think about bunnies." Now, when I find myself lying awake at night, instead of allowing the mistakes of the day or the anxieties about the coming morning dominate my thoughts, I try to count my blessings, not sheep. I picture the next day's potential for accomplishment and not how many things might go wrong. If after a while I still find sleep elusive, I get up and make the best of it. Sometimes I got to the kitchen for a light snack. I might catch up on my reading or email a friend. Some of my best writing has happened at 3:00 A.M. Sitting quietly and watching the sun rise is a pleasure that most people rarely get to experience.

The number of hours of sleep that the body needs is a subject of on-going debate. Conventional wisdom changes. Forty years ago, eight hours was the recommended norm. Today eight is considered over-sleeping and six is considered the healthy number. But it really depends on the individual. Thomas Alva Edison, the most prolific inventor in history, never slept at night but preferred sporadic twenty minute naps throughout the day.

If you sometimes have trouble falling asleep, don't resist the feeling. Work with it. Take it as comes. It is possible to relax even if you "can't" sleep, and relaxation sure beats anxiety.

Remember that sleeplessness is passing. A good, full-nights sleep is sure to follow.

Learn more about this author, Arthur Daniels.
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