Wednesday, September 03, 2008

Contemplating a new evening routine

As many of you know, I suffer from chronic pain and wicked insomnia. Over the years, I've tried numerous activities and chemicals to get and stay asleep each night. For the next couple of nights, I'm going to try something new.

1) At 6pm, take Tylenol (or Advil) PM in hopes that it will get me sleepy long before I would traditionally go to bed (9pm).
2) Walk away from the television and the computer by 8pm.
3) Read a novel until I get sleepy or until 9pm, which ever comes first.

The goal here is to get better at winding down, and to cut down on the number of evenings that I fallback on my mother's sleep remedy (nightcaps).

Apparently, my mother also suffered from chronic pain and insomnia. She didn't talk about it much but, looking back, I can compare some of her routines and behaviors with my own. It's kind of scary when you recognize a parent in your own behavior, no?

Wish me luck with my latest 'cunning plan' for a decent night's sleep.

3 comments:

barbie2be said...

oh, let me know how that goes for you. i have chronic pain and insomnia too. :(

RaineS said...

I hope it goes well. I'm struggling with insomnia myself. I am trying to make sure I turn off the TV half an hour or so before bedtime, and I have cut out caffeine after noon. I am also trying out (sporadically) taking a hot shower in the evening to relax.

Anonymous said...

Have U considered some yoga techniques?