Sleepless in Atlanta

The worst part of the sleep test-getting the electrode "goo" out of my hair after both of my sleep tests. However, this was a small price to pay for now being able to sleep through the night.
I use a CPAP machine for about 6 hours each night. Ususally, sometime in the early hours of the morning I wake up, remove my nasal mask, roll over and go right back to sleep for thenext hour or so.
I have gone from waking every few hours, late night trips to the bathroom and having my wife worry about my snoring to getting sound, quality sleep – every night. I now have more energy, an improved temprament (according to my sons) and feel better overall.

1. Take a dose of calcium and magnesium at bedtime

2. Drink a cup of water with 1/4 to 1/2 tsp of sea salt at bedtime.

3. Eliminate ALL light sources in your sleep area.

4. Use a small fan in your bedroom for some low-level white noise.

5. Don't watch any television within 3 hours of going to bed. Don't use the computer within 1 hour of bedtime. Use low level lighting in the evening. Reading with low-level lighting does not hurt your eyes.

6. The right kind of exercise at the right time improves sleep. This internet article boils it down to the following: 1) Time your exercise five to six hours before bedtime, 2) Make your exercise vigorous enough to make you sweat a little. Previous studies have shown that non-aerobic stretching and concentration exercises alone did not impart sleep, 3) Stick with it! Participants in this study did not report improved sleep until they had been exercising for 16 weeks.

7. Get yourself checked for a thyroid disorder with possible adrenal stress.

Prior to taking a very important exam, I had a very hard time falling asleep. While in college, I'd be sleepy around 12am-1am. But when the test date was coming up, I'd be sleepless for nights on end. I remember one night telling myself I will take a practice exam the next day. I didn't fall asleep at all. This kept on until I took the test. I gradually got back to my regular sleeping cycle but before that, I'd have to take sleeping pills (Tylenol PM, non-addictive) in order to fall asleep. Now, I'm "sleeping" but dreaming about things I will have to do the next day. It's annoying for me, since I love sleeping, and I'm trying to get back to where I can sleep on my own. Now, I read books and clean before going to bed. It helps me settle down a bit so I can catch some Zzz's later on.