How I Finally Got a Great Night's Sleep

For a very long time, my restless and sleepless nights have been my

pattern.  There are days when I just felt like I was dragging myself 

around.  I know I am not alone because I have read the stats on how

poorly we all are sleeping.  

One thing that has started to improve my nightly rest is my FitBit.

I have been wearing a FitBit for over a year, but it has just been 

recently (the past five weeks) that I have been faithful about getting 

in my 10,000 steps per day, seven days per week.  I have noticed that

I fall asleep more quickly and sleep more soundly.  However, I was

still waking up in the middle of the night.  Sometimes I fall 

back asleep, but other times I would be awake for a while.

The second thing that has helped me to sleep better is I have

been practicing Dry January.  I have not had a glass of wine or

any other alcohol since New Year's Day.  So, now I am on day

23 of no wine or spirits, and you know what ~ I don't miss it one

little bit.  I am drinking more water and I am feeling great!  In

fact, I am wondering if I should go another month.  David 

has been also practicing Dry January too, and he's doing great

as well.  One thing he mentioned, when we go out for lunch

or dinner on the weekends, the bill is much cheaper!

I have read all about the healthy sleep habits we should be practicing,

but do I really practice them .... well, to be honest, no, I do not.

Since I have adhered to the 10,000 steps per day, and no alcohol,

why not add another element to my regime.  

My new goal is to establish a regular bedtime.  No more 11:30,

midnight or later.  If I am going to wake up at 7:00 am, I need to

be sleeping at 11:00 pm.  In order to slow myself down and get

ready for a sound sleep, I will get the pj's on by 10:00pm,

turn off the TV in our bedroom, and (this is the hard one for me)

turn off my cell and move it away from the bed.  It can't even be on

my nightstand in the picture above.  It needs to be across the room

where any notices from Facebook, texts, Instagram, etc will not

arouse me.  

So last night I implemented this new schedule.  I was in bed

by 10:00 pm, read until 10:45 and turned out my light.  I 

slept until 7:00 am!  I feel so good this morning and I know

for sure that I have been missing the boat on this routine for

far too long.  This falls into the category of you know you 

should do something, but you don't and when you finally 

do it, you have your ah ha moment!

Give these tips a try and let me know if they help you.

Until then ~ may all your dreams be happy ones.

Big Texas Hugs,

Susan and Bentley