“All my life,” I explained / complained, “except for a few golden teenaged years when sleeping was all I wanted to do, insomnia has been my nightime companion.”
26% of women report trouble sleeping at least once a week compared to only 16% of men!
That was way back in February, when I wrote about a relaxation technique that seemed to be helping me to get to sleep at night. Well, it did help… but it wasn’t the total cure for insomnia of which I had dreamed (ha ha).
So, I’m still feeling a bit sleep-deprived — it’s a chronic state for so many of us — and seeking solutions.
Thanks to an out-of-the-blue email, today I discovered the Better Sleep Council. That’s a non-profit organization that’s supported by all the fine people who make non-lumpy mattresses, I gather,
Kids need at least nine hours of sleep each night to be star students.31% of suburban moms are likely to make sleep a priority.
“devoted to educating the public about the importance of sleep to good health and quality of life and about the value of the sleep system and sleep environment in pursuit of a good night’s sleep.”
According to the Better Sleep Council, the top three factors that rob women of our well-deserved shut-eye are:
- Work- and/or family-related stress
- Ailments such as an allergy or cold
- Uncomfortable mattress or pillows
I’m just astonished that the list doesn’t include “freezing cold feet of bed partner” and “snoring dog”… but maybe that’s just me?
“The quality and quantity of your sleep can make all the difference in how productive you’ll be the next day,” they say, and offer Ten Tips for Better Sleep that tap into the kind of common sense we commonly ignore — avoid caffeine before bedtime, maintain a relaxing bedtime routine, and so on.
One surprise I found here, however — you know that little “nightcap” of sherry before putting out the lights? Turns out it’s not a good idea for people who have trouble sleeping. Rats!