Issues with sleep can be a challenge for many women in perimenopause and menopause. For some, more sleep is needed and others find themselves unable to sleep. Since sleep restores our energy – both mental and physical – it’s important to find a way to get the appropriate amount for your particular body.
There is no one-size-fits-all. Research shows that our most restful sleep occurs when we go with our natural biological rhythms. I haven’t used an alarm for years and that is a great gift!
There’s so much information available on this subject but here are just a few ideas to help you get better sleep…
Utilize the various resources to cool down those night sweats which is a common cause of sleep deprivation during perimenopause.
Avoid caffeine. Yes, even that one cup in the morning can have an impact on your sleep – sorry!
Avoid alcohol. It’s strange but even though it’s a sedative, it also disrupts the brain-stem sleep mechanism. You’re better off with tea!
Get in your regular exercise. There are a myriad of benefits to regular exercise and helping you get a good night’s sleep is definitely one of them.
Make sure your room is dark. I lived in Argentina for three years and all the buildings have these great shutters that block the light, just like in hotels. Eye pillow work well too!
Create a ritual for winding down. Eliminate anything stimulating for at least an hour before bedtime i.e., reading anything that energizes you, television that disturbs you, computers, etc.
Nighty night zzzzzzzzzzzz
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I Need Some Sleep!
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