Pajamas and Lavender ~ About Sleep ~ Part Two ~ Trouble Getting to Sleep?

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I bet we all have trouble getting to sleep. Some more than others. We have tried and tried to find ways to relax and shut off for the night. It can be frustrating, and after a few days, we may think it's a lost cause. In this part, I have compiled some ideas that might help you get relaxed and sleep a restful and rejuvenating sleep. 1. Most of us have had certain bed sheets or comforters when we were children. My grandson still has a square of the comforter he had when a small boy. But think about two comforters. One light, one heavy. Two separate layers can help you fine-tune your options. One over your feet and one over your shoulders. As we age, we become more sensitive to breezes and materials against our skin. And, having a comforter to cuddle up to is nice sometimes as well. 2. The light we use. It's surprising the brain confusion one color light can bring on. Blue and white lights make our brains think it's time to get up instead of just making our usual midnight trip to the bathroom. Using red or amber lights lets you float off to the bathroom and back to bed without the jarring to the brain that the blue and white lights cause. No brain confusion. The red or amber lights don't suppress melatonin, which is the hormone your body needs to start winding down. 3. Lavender is an age-old elixir used to relax the tired mind. Many of us have tried the sachets we took to bed and sniffed at the setting next to us. Or we spray lavender room freshener. You get the idea. But, for many, this is too strong and is actually bothersome to many. But, how about placing that sachet in your pillow case so you get a wafting of that lovely lavender scent into your nose instead of a stampede of the stuff? Or put some dry buds in a clean sock and tie the end. Tuck it under the sheet right where your shoulder rests. The scent lowers the heart rate, reduces anxiety, and lulls you into rest mode. 4. How about changing the position of your bed? Place it where you wake up, facing the window. Your body and brain are wired to respond to light. That soft, golden light first thing in the morning gives a signal to your brain to quit producing melatonin and start producing serotonin, which lifts your mood and helps you wake up gently. Your eyes catch the light just as you open them, and this starts a calm and gentle rhythm. After a while, this trains your brain to know when it is time to sleep and when it is time to meet the day. 5. Do you have cold feet, and it's hard to get them warm at night? Warm feet help your blood vessels dilate, and that tells your brain that your body is relaxed and is ready for rest. Cold feet keep your body in a state of wakefulness. Set a heating pad under your sheets and set it for 30 minutes. Turn it on 15 minutes before you head to bed. I hope at least one of these five ideas will help you if you have some problems getting to bed at night. The picture is from Webstockreview.net