So, insomnia. Nearly every human being suffers from sleeplessness at one time or another. Most of us ignore it unless it becomes a chronic problem. I did not used to think my occasional–about once a month–bouts of insomnia were chronic. However, currently I’m having one or two sleepless nights per week. I think I’ve passed into the area of chronic insomnia, although I do not believe I suffer sleep deprivation in any great degree. After a sleepless night, I usually nap a lot during the day and sleep much better the following night.
As I understand it, insomnia is most frequently caused by either stress or some physical problem. For example, I’m often aware that pain from my scoliosis or heart burn is keeping me from sleep. I’m certain there are other causes, but we’re talking most common causes here. My stress level is much lower since I retired, at least I thought it was. However, I have a home blood pressure (BP) cuff and according to that, my blood pressure is elevated. That’s an indication that something, either with stress or with my body, is wrong. I’m also diabetic, and stress tends to elevate blood sugar (BG) levels. I’ve seen no increase in my blood glucose testing results. I’m at a bit of a loss as to what might be causing my increasing number of sleepless nights.
What am I doing about it? I’m avoiding salt and sodium. I’m drinking more water (clear water not coffee, tea, or soda). I’ve restarted my morning walks–which seems to help lower the blood pressure for an hour or two. Because my days are taken up with writing, which is sedentary, I try to get up and move every hour or so–even if it’s just to refill my water glass. I dislike taking medication for any reason, unless it’s essential to keeping in me alive. For the time being, I won’t take OTC sleep aids. I probably should see a doctor (and take all my BG and BP records with me as well as a log of my sleepless nights and what was going on surrounding those). However, where we live, seeing a doctor is not always easy. We already have appointments with our personal physician in the states for mid-October when we go back to get our vaccinations. Until then I will maintain careful records and continue to exercise as much as I can. When you cannot sleep do you know why? What do you do about insomnia when it strikes you?
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