The Pizzazzy

I usually suffer from Insomnia, okay that’s a strong word, (rephrase) I usually suffer from lack of sleep. Sleep eludes me many nights, it could be due to any reason: fear especially when I am alone, stress, or anything that increases my anxiety level.

But I have found ways to tackle it. So the occasions when it’s difficult to get sleep around are rare now. Let me tell you how I do that:

• Reading: Since I was a kid I developed a habit of reading books while sleeping, it used to be comics when I was younger and is replaced by novels now. I picked this habit from my mom who is also an aggressive reader. Now I can not go to sleep unless I have read a few pages at least.

• Meditation: When I was in college I was put up in the hostel, and used to have sleepless nights. During those days even reading a novel wouldn’t help. If sleep came I would be restless in my sleep getting up few times in the night. So I joined the meditation classes held in our hostel. Nothing great, only saying “ Om” 21 times early in the morning and concentrating on my breathing was good enough for me. I could concentrate better and I ended up having peaceful sleep.
• Music: Listening to soft music also induces sleep. I prefer “Jagjit Singh”.
• Creating the right environment: Especially making the bedroom a place for sleeping. I make it a point that I do not carry work to bed and never let my hubby take the laptop to bed. So, we have got a room dedicated to office work and have designed our bedroom in dark colors to create a sleep inducing environment.

 These are things that I do; you can also try doing one of the following:

• Drink Warm milk: Milk when taken before sleep also helps you relax and brings sleep easily. But don’t drink in excess to avoid getting up in the night to visit the loo.

• Exercise: Early morning daily exercises are also good for making your body clock regular and regularizing sleep.

• Sometimes the iron level, especially in women are primary reason for insomnia, in my case this was true. You can choose to take iron supplement; I tried more of green leafy vegetables like spinach etc.

Do anything and everything that can make you relax and decrease your anxiety level to invite sleep, but never take the over the counter sleeping pills to counter insomnia.