I am going to be a little un-PC right now, and say that there are a number of us out there that don't always think things through. I will euphemistically call them the Fast Ones, for doing everything so fast that they often miss important things in front of them. I can say this because I am one of the elite many.
OK, all joking aside, this checklist is something I had to prepare for myself and a number of my loved ones and clients to help us sleep. Why I needed to do this is because as a health/wellness coach, I like to find ways that can help people do things naturally. Too often I see people feeling like they need to take medication when they don't need to. And when I looked at a number of the reasons why some people can't sleep, it was pretty obvious that simpler solutions were warranted.
Here are a few things to check off the list:
• Did I drink caffeine or alcohol too soon to bed time?
• Did I eat too much?
• Did I go to bed upset, angry or anxious?
There are many more than these, but this short list is something all of us can remember and they comprise some of the main reasons for having trouble falling asleep.
The first is the most obvious, and you'd be surprised at how many people move too quickly to notice it before it is too late. Now each person is different, but for the most part, everyone is affected by these chemicals in their systems. For some it is just a matter of degree. Some people can drink a cup of coffee right up until they go to bed and will be fine, and some might have had a cup of decaf a couple of hours ago and be affected. The important thing is to understand your tolerance and act accordingly. My mother can't have coffee or decaf even 6 hours before sleeping, as this will keep her up, and I am sure that is true for some of you as well. A general rule of thumb is to stop taking these stimulants at least 4-6 hours before you want to go to sleep.
Eating too much also has an adverse effect on people's sleep. This has to do with digestion, gases, even pressure in the stomach and intestines that could lead to discomfort or just having too many chemicals running about in the system for sleep to happen. The rule here is to stop eating 3-4 hours before sleeping, and add a few more if it is a big meal like Thanksgiving.
Finally, it is important to look at getting upset, angry or anxious. This can happen through obsession over things or having a heavy conversation or argument. Either way, these should be seen in the same light as taking in alcohol or coffee since these emotions can rile people up, raise their blood pressure and increase the rush of adrenaline. Like the stimulants above, the effects take time to be processed through a person's system, so the timing of such inquiry or conversation is key. If one is very sensitive, then it is best to begin 6-8 hours before bedtime, with a proviso that one could continue the following day.
If you can be aware of these three danger areas and adhere to the guidelines that I have shared, you will be able to slow things down enough to get a good night sleep, and live to play another day. Sometimes it does not pay to be so fast.
FREE LIFE CONSULTATION Looking for ways to transform your life? Have you been doing your best and feeling that it might not be enough? Why work so hard to make things happen and not get the results you want. Whether it's weight, kids, relationships, complex problems, or health issues, we all can use support in making life easier and more elegant. Emailjulio@bigpixenterprises.com to schedule your free Life Consultation so we can talk about building the life you've been dreaming about. Who says you have to wait until something happens to start? Don't you deserve to have things easier/better? You can have it now!
I look forward to hearing from you!
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Julio_Cortes
No comments