Dear MS readers, raters, rockers, rollers and reviewers,
Ashi * is writing about a health issue. Me. The person who has everything against doctors and blood and hospitals… I’m writing about a health issue! And before you begin to think I’m trying to be Nikhil Arora’s soul mate(not that I would mind that:P), let me tell you exactly why I chose this topic:
Sleeplessness is a common problem. And it can affect your life in a bad way. I can hardly ever sleep at night, always searching for the off button but hardly ever seeming to find it. And so I decided to tell all you gorgeous MS members how you could battle against it. After all you know what they say: “Fools learn from their own mistakes; wise people learn from other people’s mistakes”:)
•Stress – such an overused word…
It is 5 a.m. All the worse things come stalking in
and stand icily about the bed looking worse and worse and worse.
- Fleur Adcock
Does this sound familiar? Tossing and turning around in your bed just because you’re worried about something you have to do the next day, or something that you have already done it probably the main problem for sleeplessness. It is a psychological trick that makes your mind magnify matters during the night…I presume, ironically, that is due to the lack of sleep! Chances are that in the light of the day(when you and your mind are functioning properly) all these BIG stressful things will seem so petty.
That is not always the case…if it is something major, like you’re going to audition for a role in a Kekta soap, then I suggest you take a good look at what exactly you’re doing(i.e. look in the mirror and end up in hysterics). And if it is something really important that is stressing you out(like a job interview or exam), then make sure all your preparations are finished and problems are dealt with well in advance. Trust me, you ain’t gonna get full marks if you faint in the middle of the exam; you wont create the best impression if you walk in half dead to the interview. So say to yourself firmly before you turn off the lights “I am the best, I have done my best and I will do the best.” Then go to sleep thinking about something totally different and relaxing(like rainbows and waterfalls, the sea at sunset time, Saif’s smile…;)
•Lying on the truth;)
Sometimes the solution lies in the problem. What is your bedroom like? Taffeta curtains, silk bedspreads, embroidered pillow covers all look nice, but if it’s making the room too crowded and stuffy then that may be the problem! Take time out to clear the room and keep it well-ventilated. Having a proper bed is also really important. Make sure you have a good mattress and pillow(s).
And this is a news breaking khabar which I just discovered off the internet: did you know that it’s better to sleep on your back? Apparently, you should never sleep on your stomach because it causes your internal muscles to squash up against each other and this results in shallow breathing. Um.I always sleep like that…Oh dear…
•Food glorious food!
Do you ever think about what you eat before going to sleep? Well I don’t;) But what you eat before you go to sleep will affect your rest. Spicy foods, caffeine and alcohol should all be avoided. And I’m afraid that means no chocolate as a bedtime snack! sob sob(I think I’ve been haunted by the spirit of the chocolate, considering I mention it in every single revu)!
If you are feeling hungry/ thirsty, then try alternatives such as fruit, water, warm milk, herbal tea, biscuits, and other low calorie high carbohydrate snacks. Not only are these more refreshing, but they are better for your health as well. So swap that black forest cake for a slice of melon… I can’t even bare thinking about doing that, but I’ll cheer you on for sure!:P
•Early to bed, early to rise
You probably learnt a rhyme like this when you were in prep school, but shock horror did you know you actually learnt it for a reason? Its all a cycle which is straight forward – you go to sleep early means you get up early, you get up early means you feel better than you would if you have slept in, you feel better means you work harder and better, you work more efficiently means you feel more tired by the end of the day, and you are ready to go to bed early again! Simple as you ABC…
But if your strange lifestyle does not allow you to go to bed early, then fikar not…science has all the answers(that’s why I am not a big fan of it:P). The solution lies in setting up a daily routine, and not breaking the pattern. Go to sleep at a fixed time very night. Wake up at roughly the same time very morning. But make sure you get your recommended 8 hours of sleep!
•Get the party started
To get really good sleep you should be really tired. Then you can automatically switch off. The best way to become tired is to exercise! Sleep is essential for good health, and so is exercise. And now we’ve found out the link in the middle!
Exercise can be of any sort and size – be it playing tennis in the afternoon or a brisk walk in the evening. I think dance is a fun way of exercising – and you don’t even have to go anywhere to do it. Just switch on the music and dance like no ones looking(not that anyone’s actually going to be there…)!
Ok so apparently you are meant to NOT do vigorous exercise just before going to sleep, but a couple of hours before.although doing some small exercises just before bed could help.
•And finally…
Just relax! Do anything which you find helps you feel more calm and care-free. Listen to your favourite music, have a warm bath, read a good book, burn some scented candles, and prepare yourself for the final destination of the day: the land of sweet dreams:)
Hope you find this information useful…I’d love to know what your solutions are!
C ya
Ashi:D