Sleep - or more accurately...lack of!
All opinions and suggestions in this post are my own. I would strongly recommend consulting with your healthcare practitioner before starting any regimen of vitamins or minerals.
Sleep. We all need it. But what happens when your body begins changing and you’re longer drifting off into a night of blissful slumber like you once did? Or you are able to drift off successfully, but wake often during the night, once…twice…three times, until you lie on your pillow in frustration wondering what the actual fuck is happening here? Why can’t I sleep Iike I once used to.
I’ve always characterized myself as an amazing sleeper. This of course does not include the years of sleep deprivation when my boys were babies. Yes, years and I’m not exaggerating. I’m pretty sure my first (though no fault of his own) didn’t sleep through the night until he was at least six. He was plagued excema all over his wee body, which made a night with no itching and scratching virtually impossible. Hence, Mama was up too. But besides those years, which truly are becoming a distant memory, I was always a sound sleeper. Asleep by eleven and up by seven. Ok maybe that eleven has become ten in the past few years, but my point is I was always good for eight solid hours. Until recently that is…
Last Spring I had my first night time ‘hot flash’ or ‘night sweat’ as they these episodes of waking in a pool of perspiration are often called. At first I thought the room was just too warm, I had too many blankets on, or my dog was just cuddle up too close. Yes, I sleep with my dog - go ahead - judge me! I also love sleeping (besides with my dog in the bed) with blankets wrapped up around my neck for comfort. Not thinking much of it, I peeled back a layer hoping this would help. No luck. I woke again a hour later in the same sweaty situation. This continued….every. single. night - until finally I went to see my doctor, I knew something just wasn’t right. Along with some other symptoms I’ve been having, my doctor confirmed that I was likely entering that lovely time of life know as peri-menopause. The years (for some - not all) of basic hell that occur before your period finally stops. And for some women, sadly the craziness continues long after their period has faded away.
Along with the stress of knowing I’m finally losing my fertility (yes, this totally stresses me out even though I was NEVER planning on more kids), I’m an absolute bear if I don’t get my eight hours of sleep. So it was a top priority that I find some solutions to a better nights rest (let’s deal with the hot flashes) before things really got out of hand. Luckily for me, and maybe only temporarily - the solution came rather quickly; a nightly does of Magnesium Glycerinate as suggested by a Naturopath I had previously seen. You body needs the mineral magnesium to work. Without getting into an entire science and health lesson - you can read about magnesiums benefits for women here. For me, it has helped in several ways. It relaxes me, which means I fall asleep faster. It relaxes my muscles, consequently I don’t wake up in the morning with my shoulders up around my ears and neck so stiff I can’t move it. And best of all…it helps me stay asleep without waking up to any hot flashes. Magnesium is also know to be a great benefit to women who get night time leg cramping during peri-menopause and menopause. I take 400mg in powder form (mixed with a little water) right before bed. BUT as I mentioned at the top of this post…please check with your health care practitioner for interactions before starting any new minerals or vitamins.
I’ve received many great suggestions from girlfriends going through similar sleepless nights - maybe some of these might help you too:
Keep a fan on you all night, or all least in close proximity to your bed in case you wake up and need a quick cool down.
Sleep naked - not for me but a lifesaver for some.
Make sure you’re exercising regularly - regular exercise can definitely improve the quality of your seep. Even your nightly dog walk (if you have a dog) is important.
No caffeine or other stimulants after 2 p.m.
Reduce or eliminate alcohol consumption. I know, this one hurts.
Try mediation before bed or some light yoga right before bed.
Find the right bedding (blankets) for you. I’ve recently invested in a Ziegler down duvet. This is a very lightweight duvet made with Polish down.
Try not to look at your phone for fifteen minutes before bed.
Hope some of these suggestions help you to get a more restful nights sleep. Let me know if there is anything that has worked for you that’s I haven’t suggested here.
