Comments on: Putting menopause insomnia to rest

By: Eliza

Eliza — Sat, 27 Feb 2010 12:49:07 +0000

@Lori – it can definitely take its toll. Now, if I have too many sleepless nights I take a mental health day and catch up.

By: Lori Hoeck

Lori Hoeck — Fri, 26 Feb 2010 23:42:11 +0000

This would drive me crazy! My body and mind require to things: mega sleep and many days of sunshine. Even as a volunteer firefighter, after being called out to medical or fire scenes at all hours of the night, I could come back home and sleep.

By: Eliza

Eliza — Fri, 26 Feb 2010 18:50:55 +0000

@Army Wife – tell me about it! Then in the morning I get from him “I had a rough night”. I’m thinking “I don’t think so! I heard you sleeping all night” LOL As for exercise, yes, I sleep much better on my run days. I am going to start trying a bedtime snack to see if that helps as well.

By: Eliza

Eliza — Fri, 26 Feb 2010 18:48:10 +0000

@Betsy – I have seriously considered going downstairs and reading or writing. The problem for me is heading off to work at 6:30 a.m. and having to last until I get home at 4:30 pm. Otherwise, I think I would embrace that quiet witching hour.

By: Canadian Army Wife

Canadian Army Wife — Fri, 26 Feb 2010 14:52:14 +0000

The worst part is when the guy beside you is peacefully snoring away! I totally agree with the low blood sugar thing. I always have a bedtime snack (yogurt, peanut butter). Exercise always helps too.

I’ve found spending the last half hour before bed NOT staring at a computer or TV screen helps me get to sleep faster and sleep longer too.

By: Betsy Wuebker

Betsy Wuebker — Fri, 26 Feb 2010 13:45:33 +0000

Hi Eliza – I fought insomnia for months until I just decided to get up and get something done. Then I would look out my window and see lights on in the houses of the women up and down my street who were “of a certain age.”

I actually came to enjoy those quiet hours. With the rest of the house asleep, they are a secret “alone” time that feels different than the middle of the morning or afternoon. Fortunately, since I work from home, it didn’t matter that I felt sleepy in the middle of the afternoon. I just try to listen and embrace the different rhythms.

I did find that with more exercise, my sleep patterns settle into a more traditional 6 to 7 hours per night. But on occasion I still awaken and go down the stairs to make coffee and write, if I can. The blood sugar-related suggestion is interesting and makes sense.

By: Eliza

Eliza — Fri, 26 Feb 2010 12:43:38 +0000

@Davina – oh, well that makes sense too. I am very sensitive to my blood sugar levels. I’ll give that a try. Thanks.

By: Davina

Davina — Fri, 26 Feb 2010 06:26:23 +0000

I feel for you Eliza. I’ve had those sleepless nights. Thankfully, they come in phases and I’m able to catch up. Neither getting up and staying up, or laying in bed staring at the ceiling make any difference I’ve found. There doesn’t seem to be any right way to handle it. Though having said that, getting up and doing something would at least take the mind off it.

A tip from a naturopath friend of mine…. Sometimes we awaken during the night due to low blood sugar that causes rise and fall of cortisol. His suggestion is to have a little protein before bed; toast with peanut butter, or cheese and crackers.