Problems with relaxing for sleep?!
Question: My husband left on deployment last week and I have not been able to sleep well at all. I just can't seem to relax without him laying beside me. When he has duty nights, it wouldn't matter if I couldn't sleep because I knew he'd be home in the morning, but night after night of this is starting to take its toll on me because in addition to being stressed about the deployment, I am now feeling constantly tired. I think that my problem is that I just can't relax enough to fall asleep. I lay in bed with the TV on and can't sleep, but when I turn it off, I just lay there in the dark wide awake. And I hate taking sleeping pills because they make me groggy all day. Does anyone have any tips on how to really relax so I can fall asleep and not just toss and turn all night? I don't want to have problems sleeping for the next 5 months. Any suggestions would be appreciated because I really don't know what else I can try.
Answers: My husband left on deployment last week and I have not been able to sleep well at all. I just can't seem to relax without him laying beside me. When he has duty nights, it wouldn't matter if I couldn't sleep because I knew he'd be home in the morning, but night after night of this is starting to take its toll on me because in addition to being stressed about the deployment, I am now feeling constantly tired. I think that my problem is that I just can't relax enough to fall asleep. I lay in bed with the TV on and can't sleep, but when I turn it off, I just lay there in the dark wide awake. And I hate taking sleeping pills because they make me groggy all day. Does anyone have any tips on how to really relax so I can fall asleep and not just toss and turn all night? I don't want to have problems sleeping for the next 5 months. Any suggestions would be appreciated because I really don't know what else I can try.
Try a warm bath before going to bed. It will help you relax and raise your body temperature, making you feel sleepy. Don't go to bed with the TV on; watching it will just stimulate your brain and keep you awake. Also try putting a couple of pillows in the bed next to so you can curl up next to them like you would your husband. It will probably get easier to sleep as time goes on, he's only just left after all, but don't hesitate to see a doctor or therapist if the insomnia continues. Also check for support groups on message boards hosted by other spouses of deployed men/women. They would definately have ways to help you through this.
The only thing that drives me to sleep is reading. I read on my bed in my sleeping position (head on pillow), and then drift off to sleep.
It helps if it's a boring book! hehe :)
So turn on your bedside lamp, read in bed and when you feel tired, turn off the light.
Avoid the internet at night! it keeps you awake.
I hope this works for you, as it works for me!
Niquill and touch yourself thinking of your man.....you know what i mean.
do you have a large teddy bear.
if so dress it in your husbands nightwear and put it in bed beside you.
it will smell like him and that may help you to relax.
watching tv in bed is also not good as your brain is not relaxing.
good luck with the sleeping.
maybe a warm bath before you get to bed, a glass of wine, reading a book sometimes makes me sleepy, a cup of tea, listening to music, working out.
goodluck
Music makes me sleepy. Make you a list of very slow songs, that you like and put them on a cd or mp3 player. Play them while you sleep.
Reading is also a good way to make yourself sleepy.
Something I love... is simulating something beside you
Get a long pillow and lay it near you, the long ways and it's almost like someone laying next to you. I personally have a teddy bear. It sounds silly but I do. He bought it for me and I bough a bottle of his colgne and spray it on the bear. It helps out alot....
I hope it gets easier for you Darling! I couldn't imagine the one I love leaving me to go fight in a war. My prayers are with you!