In the resurrection from our Covid Nightmare many things have lingered in its aftermath. A person at work the other day was discussing the realization that we were actually no longer in a Covid pandemic but a Negativity pandemic. In all honesty it does seem like as a society there is a great deal of frustration circulating out there. From gas prices, to grocery prices, to work shortages, to diesel shortages and the list goes on from day to day.
Having said this, one of the leading issues remaining now that society has emerged from the shadows is a chronic problem with rest. More sleep disorders are being reported than ever. I am not sure if it is the chicken or the egg situation. Reports state that insomnia is a hangover of actually having the virus. Many patients who heal from Covid are left with disturbed sleep patterns lingering for months.
I have a deeper suspicion that the culprit of disrupted sleep has more to do with the big picture of the pandemic rather than just the physical after effects of the virus. My husband and I thought maybe the problem was our pillows. So, for our anniversary I went out and bought two new king size pillows that were all kind of fancy things dealing with allergens and dust mites and neck support. Well over one hundred dollars later and several nights of agitated sleep we thought, "Maybe it is the mattress instead." I asked a friend of mine about this who is a doctor and he told me the number of patients and friends he had complaining of sleep problems was unbelievable.
This had me researching the topic and an interesting article was sent my way. It is called "revenge bedtime procrastination". People living in high stress times or have high-stress jobs that takes up a great deal of their day stay up longer than the norm as a way to make up for this time even though it leads to insufficient sleep hours. I can definitely say this was a chronic problem when my sons were babies. Even though I was going to be getting up during the night to nurse and up first thing with the sun to change a diaper, I still stayed up after everyone was asleep just to have that extra time of quiet enjoyment either watching mindless television or reading a good book.
Regardless if the sleep problems hitting us all deal with such a procrastination issue or just a problem with letting the mind and body finally relax, the remedy seems to be the same in everything I researched.
1. Develop a sleep schedule and be consistent in going to bed the same time every night and getting up the same time every morning.
2. Make sure that your sleep space is quiet and dark and relaxing and comfortable.
3. Turn off your cell phone at a designated time and turn off the computer as well. Unhook from the outside world including the television and news.
4. Do not eat a large meal, drink caffeine or alcohol shortly before bedtime.
5. Exercise each day in some way by simply taking a brisk walk or trying yoga.
These suggestions were considered good "Sleep Hygiene" and also kind of seemed like "No Brainers." When I read through these suggestions, I had to laugh at myself. It is like reading about how to lose weight and you are doing all the things you are not supposed to do which you knew all along. Maybe in our middle aged years a brand new pillow is not the quick fix needed. The art of good rest is not in the mattress but in the mind.
