5 ways to kick insomnias butt
We all know how important sleep is when dealing with an autoimmune disease but sometimes its just not as easy as "get some rest". I don't know about anyone else but this third lockdown has really caused problems with my sleeping habits. My brain is constantly ticking yet I am always always exhausted. A simple trip to Tesco's feels like a marathon somedays. Lockdown insomnia added on top of autoimmune insomnia is just a recipe for puffy eyes, flare ups and a lot of binge watching. With a struggle to get an appointment these days and doctors not understanding I have taken matters into my own hands to try and sleep at a reasonable time, like a normal person some would say.
I have put together five ways to try and improve your sleeping habits without having to turn to sleeping pills, resulting in a horrible, groggy feeling.
What I have found really helpful lately is creating a 'bedtime routine' in a way. Without sounding like a child, having a set routine in the evenings before going to bed has really helped me to calm down before I go to bed. For example, I have been writing in a journal each night before bed to reflect on my day. This isn't really to be reflective but to give me an activity to do each night and get my body in to the habit of distressing before bed. I also have been listening to calming music, turning my main lights on and having a bath before watching a movie. Being a third year student this has really helped me to switch off from work and give my body time to calm down.
Another thing which I feel really helps and has been proven to be better for you is to not go to bed on a full stomach. Eating a few hours before going to bed helps your body to digest your food before trying to sleep, resulting in a more comfortable and restful nights sleep. You also wake up feeling much more energised.
I am always so tempted to turn to sleeping pills when I can't sleep but the feeling of grogginess the day after just isn't worth it. Sleep sprays really do help as a natural aid, especially those infused with Lavender. Cloud Cosmetic's is releasing a sleep spray as part of their 'head in the clouds' collection so stay tuned....
Personally, when I have bad pains or a flare ups in my joints, I struggle to sleep even more than normal. The best thing I can do in this situation apart from taking pain killers is to pad myself with pillows, creating a kind of nest. The temperature of the pillows and the pressure really help to relax my muscles.
And lastly, as hard as it is, I try and limit my technology exposure around the time I want to go to bed. This is a particulary hard one for me as sometimes I can be working up until the early hours of the morning, but at times when my sleep is especially bad I make the effort to turn all my devices off and it is one thing that really helps me get to sleep quicker and stay asleep longer.
These are just a few ideas that work for me but if you have any other problems or suggestions head over to our forum and start up a conversation!
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