What Are The Best Strategies To Manage Insomnia?

Published on: 30 March 2021 Last Updated on: 27 December 2024

Do you know why insomnia takes place?

This can happen for many reasons, including unnecessary stress, work pressure, bad health habits, and otherworldly affairs.

Not only that, specific life trauma or incidents like the death or the illness of someone close, married life complications, or even job loss. All these can lead to insomnia.

Sleep plays a vital role in developing your brain and body. It also helps to repair any damaged cells or blood vessels. On the other hand, insomnia or sleeping disorders can deteriorate your body and increase heart attack and stroke risks.

So, insomnia is a condition where people suffer from inadequate or insufficient sleep. And it can turn out to be a real problem if not treated well.

In this article, I’ll illustrate the five magical ways you can deal with insomnia.

Ways To Defeat Insomnia- THE 5 GOLDEN RULES

When life throws you problems, don’t waste your time focusing on the issues. Instead, put your complete attention on achieving the solutions.

Insomnia is a challenge that might try to kneel you down, but through this article, you’ll be getting all the tactics to deal with it in a more innovative and more effective way.

1. Don’t Change Your “Wake Up” Routine

If you are reading this article now, make sure to follow this step. NO MATTER WHAT!!!!!

I know many of you might be wondering, “Do I have to wake up early even during my desired weekends?”

-The answer is ‘YES” if only you want to get rid of insomnia!!!

It can be a tough job, I know, but you need to go through cuts and burns if you want to achieve something.

The reason you must sacrifice your habit of staying late in bed even during your weekends is because you must bring yourself to a routine where you will always have a consistent sleep and waking time.

When you have mastered this technique, you’ll notice that your sleeping disruptions just magically vanished.

2. Wave Goodbyes To Nicotine And Caffeine

If you love smoking cigarettes and drinking deliciously hot and strong midnight coffee, you just must quit it!!!

To heed goodbyes to insomnia, you first must learn to say goodbye to your smoking and caffeine intake addictions.

Caffeine can keep you up late for several hours, and trust me, it’s more than enough to disrupt the “complete sleeping cycle” yours.

It can also awaken you frequently from sleep, resulting in “poor quality sleep.”

Nicotine is also on the same side as caffeine. These, too, result in sleep deprivation!!!

When you smoke a cigarette, it stimulates the effect of nicotine. And this addictive drug can be highly responsible for insomnia. Most smokers take at least one cigarette before going to bed.

And this can have a significant impact on your sleep. So, it will the “golden achievement” of your life if you can quit these habits for good!!!!

3. Cut Down Unnecessary Naps And Increase Exercise

I know naps can refresh your mood. And a few hours of extra sleep can make you feel more energetic. But these naps are also one of the main reasons for sleep disorders.

And do you know why?

This is because napping affects your sleeping patterns. For instance, you are habituated to sleeping at night when the lights are turned off, and it’s quiet. Therefore, your mind knows it’s nighttime, and you have to sleep.

On the other hand, while taking naps, there are no such scenarios where it’s dark and quiet, and even the place where you sleep might be different like you are taking a nap on a couch or sofa. So, the mind eventually disrupts your sleeping pattern because it’s not your regular bedtime.

Undoubtedly, exercise keeps you fit and healthy. But did you know that it also helps you to restore the proper balance of your sleep?

-Yes, exercises help you to get rid of insomnia!!!

But you need to make sure not to perform any exercise immediately before you go to bed. Instead, try to finish it at least two to three hours before going to bed.

4. Make Sure To Be Comfortable And Discard All The Worries When Going To Bed

The environment you are in has a tremendous impact on your sleep. By environment, I mean to say the “place your sleep.”

To have a good sleep, you need to have a mild temperature, a comfortable bed, and no lights should be turned on while you are sleeping. If you have pets, don’t keep them in your room if they make noises at night.

And one of the most essential “golden rules” that you need to keep in mind is “not to sleep with loads of stress in your head.” Stress is temporary, but it can make insomnia permanent.

When you are in bed, discard all the negative thoughts out of your mind. Sleep is like a prayer, and you don’t want any distractions while praying!!!

Stress therapies and methods you can use to have a quality sleep include taking deep breaths, meditating, and many more.

5. Light Therapy Combats Insomnia

LED light therapy or Bright light therapy can also be a cure for sleeping disorders.

This therapy is famous for its ability to reduce depression, stress, and also insomnia.

If you are not getting enough natural light (which is very common among people nowadays), sleep deprivation can occur.

What light therapy does is imitate the light of the sun and helps to improve the circadian rhythm of your body. This light comes out of a box, and different light therapy boxes have additional features.

Make sure to use it for at least 15 to 30 minutes every morning and maintain this routine, and you’ll see drastic results.

Whenever you take a light therapy device, always seek the assistance of a professional doctor as he knows the suitable device for you.

I hope this article will help you know the ins and outs of the 5 ways you can deal with insomnia.

When Do You Need Therapy?

There’s a difference between a bad couple of nights and chronic insomnia. If you can’t seem to get yourself sleeping better even after trying all of the tweaks, then you need some medical intervention.

Especially when you are changing your routine (waking up at the same time every day), eating the right food (no caffeine), exercising, etc.

It is therapy that will be key for getting at the root causes if your sleep issues are more related to stress, trauma, or anxiety in nature. So when does that cross from having an unrewarding few days into something bigger where you should consider this?

Be More Self-Aware

First, ask yourself this question.

Just how long has insomnia been a problem for you?

If it’s been longer than a few weeks and you see no signs of improvement in your sleep quality, that’s not a good sign. Also, pay attention to the overall effect on your daily functioning.

Are you perpetually tired all day, unable to concentrate, or becoming easily irritated?

If so, then it’s no doubt starting to affect your mental and physical health; don’t deny it, embrace it.

Dealing With Constant Stress & Anxiety

Another good indicator is how much stress, worry, or anxiety you have about sleep.

Afterall, it is not just during the sleep time that you think about your insomnia. It is always!

Do you get worked up just thinking about going to bed because you believe ‘tonight is going to be another awful night of no sleep!’ – or are your thoughts such as…

‘If I don’t get to sleep in the next 10 minutes, the whole day tomorrow is going to be absolutely horrible’.

Mental exertion alone can be exhausting and only adds fuel to the insomnia fire.

That’s when short-term therapy may be helpful, breaking that mental cycle and having someone who understands what you’re going through, a patient.

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Insomnia (CBT-I) is one of the most effective treatments. With medication, you get a temporary fix, but CBT-I works to change the thoughts and behaviors that lead to insomnia. It helps you think about sleep differently and gives you tools to help with anxiety or stress that might be keeping you up.

Your Emotional Relationships

Let’s not forget the emotional side of things. In some cases, insomnia is tied to unprocessed trauma or grief. If you find that your sleep troubles seem to have begun after a traumatic life event or during a time of increased emotional turmoil, that could be a clue that talk therapy might help.

A therapist can guide you through the process of identifying and safely processing those emotions, so they stop interfering with your sleep and with your life in general.

In other words? If your insomnia is starting to cause secondary problems in your life, do yourself a favor.

Read Also:

Benefits of a Daily At-Home Yoga Practice

Soumava Goswami

A passionate writer and an avid reader, Soumava is academically inclined and loves writing on topics requiring deep research. Having 3+ years of experience, Soumava also loves writing blogs in other domains, including digital marketing, business, technology, travel, and sports.

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Self-Care Deficit Nursing Theory In Adult Gerontology Nursing

Any Adult Gerontology Nurse Practitioner (AGNP), or individual considering moving into this booming area, will probably be aware that it involves more than supporting patients through short term illnesses or meeting their needs in a hospital or nursing home. As a rule, the older a patient gets, the more likely they are to experience chronic health complications which interfere with their day-to-day tasks. For much of history, such patients were written off, encouraged to take to their beds and be supported entirely by others, doing very little. They often didn’t live very long. But all that changed on account of one remarkable nurse, Dorothea Orem, whose legacy continues to shape the nursing profession today. This article examines her groundbreaking self-care deficit theory and looks at how AGNPs might use it for their nursing career. Dorothea Orem Dorothea Orem was born in Baltimore in 1914 and studied nursing in the late 1930s. This was a time when nursing schools were still a new phenomenon and there was a lot of experimental thinking in the nascent profession. Though she spent time on the wards as a staff nurse, she also worked as an administrator and consultant over the course of her career, spending her later years focusing on theory. A naturally focused and attentive person, she soon began recording observations about the patients she worked with, leading to her self-care deficit theory of nursing, for which she strongly advocated for her entire life. It was theory which, in its early years, transformed the way nurses thought about patients and their duties. It laid the foundations for nursing today. Universal Self-Care Requisites Orem’s theory recognizes eight universal self-care requisites, or SCRs. Here, universal refers to things every human needs, regardless of circumstance. Air is needed for respiration. Water is needed to maintain a healthy level of hydration. Food is needed to maintain healthy energy levels and prevent starvation. Elimination or toileting, a polite way of referring to the expulsion of urine and feces from the body, is required too. In addition to these four things, Orem posits that every patient needs a balance of physical activity and rest. Everyone needs social interaction, but also some alone time. People need to manage their lives to avoid or remove hazards, and, finally, they need to promote normality. This means that they need to achieve and maintain a way of living and relating to the world which is normal for them as individuals and does not involve psychosis. Health Deviation Self-Care Requisites When patients are recovering from injury or illness, or living with a chronic illness or disability, they can be described as experiencing a health deviation. This is not pejorative – it simply establishes that they differ from the norm. Health deviations are more common in older demographics, as they have additional self-care requisites. These requisites include following doctors’ instructions (taking medicine on time), identifying problems caused by their conditions and attending to them effectively (sitting down until a dizzy spell passes), and knowing when and how to seek help from a caregiver or healthcare professional. It is also important that these patients can understand and accept that their bodies have changed and can adjust psychologically to cope with it. What Is A Self-Care Deficit? A self-care deficit occurs when people are no longer able to carry out basic tasks. This can be because a disability makes them physically impossible to perform, or a number of other reasons. For example, some people get so overwhelmed by the way their bodies have changed that they stop trying to live. This doesn’t mean that they don’t deserve sympathy – it is an understandable response to an extreme situation – but it might mean that there is potential for improvement. For some people, self-care deficits are permanent or are likely to worsen due to progressive illnesses. For others, however, they can be temporary, even in extreme old age. Self-care deficits stemming from a broken arm, for example, will normally dissipate after the arm heals, but this is less likely if the patient has learned to feel helpless in the meantime. Assessment, Diagnosis, And Implementation When using Orem’s theory, nurses have three steps to work through. The first is undertaken during the initial assessment of a new patient and involves identifying any self-care deficits. These are not always obvious from looking at a patient and the process may require gentle but persistent questioning. Some people may be embarrassed and hesitant to talk if they are unable to care for themselves. The second involves full diagnosis of the deficits, including establishing causes. The third step is to draw up a treatment plan based on these diagnoses. In her work, Orem stressed the importance of recognizing that every patient is a unique individual, so there is no one-size-fits-all approach to this type of planning. In each case, AGNPs will need to work with the patient to establish the most effective way forward. Five Ways Nurses Can Help There are five strategies nurses can use to address self-care deficits when establishing patient care plans: For the most severely incapacitated patients, it may be necessary to perform actions on their behalf, such as washing or dressing them. Patients struggling mentally or who lack confidence can be guided through actions, ideally to the point of independence. Patients can be taught new ways of approaching day to day tasks which make them easier to accomplish, such as taking a break to have a shower in the afternoon if it is too hard to find the energy at other times. AGNPs can focus on the patient’s environment, making it easier for them to carry out self-care activities, such as suggesting kitchen gadgets to reduce the physical effort involved in preparing meals. Finally, AGNPs can train a family caregiver to provide appropriate support. These five strategies involve numerous actions, skills, and tools that nurses can use. Patients may need particular assistance with the following tasks. Helping With Eating Patients should always be encouraged to do as much for themselves as is reasonably possible. When it comes to eating, nurses should start with encouragement. Many older people lose their appetite and don’t feel motivated to eat, especially when it requires effort. So, an AGNP can point out that they have more energy when they manage to eat regular meals. If the patient can get food to their mouth by themselves, nurses should resist the temptation to assist, even if they sometimes drop the food. Instead, nurses can reassure them that this is not uncommon and all they need to do is take a little more time. Nurses should also be alert to the possibility of choking issues and arrange X-rays if concerned. If some food proves difficult to eat, they can discuss the possibility of dietary adjustments. Helping With Toileting Nurses should reassure patients that, awkward as they may feel, there is nothing to be embarrassed about. The nurse must ensure they can transfer on and off the toilet safely and consider options like raising the height of the seat or installing grab. If there is a risk of falling, AGNPs may suggest bedpans for use when no caregiver is present. If adult diapers are needed, nurses should ensure that patients know how and when to change them (even if they are not soiled) and how to protect their skin against rashes or bruises caused by wearing them. Finally, nurses can also discuss medical options for softening stools or speeding up or slowing down digestive transit. Helping With Dressing And Grooming A balance must be struck between helping patients be more independent in dressing and grooming themselves and enabling them to maintain a style or standard of appearance that is natural for them. Some older men prefer to be clean shaven but end up growing beards because it is easier to trim a beard than it is to shave safely and neatly, for example. Some clothing options can be easier to get into than others, depending on a patient’s particular mobility difficulties. Simple devices such as a stick with a hook on the end can make adjusting the back of a garment or doing up a zip much easier. Nurses should pay particular attention to footwear to make sure patients can stand or walk safely. Reducing Hazards Whether a nurse is helping a patient to move around and complete self-care tasks in a hospital ward, a care home, or their own home, they must always pay attention to hazard prevention. Hazards can include mess, a layout created without regard for disability, or other people or pets moving around. Nurses can start by ensuring that the patient is aware of the risks and can recognize dangerous situations. They should discuss simple measures like installing handrails or changing routines to make it easier to keep the area tidy. Nurses can also ensure that the patient can summon help if something goes wrong, by persuading them to install an alarm system or carry a charged mobile phone at all times, for example. Care With Communication Often, older patients who have self-care deficits also have difficulty with communication, whether due to physical or cognitive disability. Depending on their lifestyle in recent years, they may also be unfamiliar with modern technologies, but shy about admitting this. It is important for nurses to make sure that when they are addressing issues around essential needs, the patient understand them properly and vice versa. It can be helpful to use pictures in communication, which are often available in support materials. When meeting a patient in the place they are going to be living, the nurse and patient can explore it together (in stages, if necessary) so both parties can directly identify issues. Seeing Each Patient As An Individual An essential tenet of Orem’s theory is that patients must be treated as individuals. This increases the chance that they will stick to treatment plans, as well as directly improving their psychological wellbeing. Any nurse that’s interested in Orem’s theory and is considering joining this field will be looking into gerontology nurse practitioner programs online. The best courses place a lot of emphasis on adaptability and on learning how to manage different types of patients in different environments. The program at the University of Indianapolis, for example, encourages students to develop the patience and listening skills essential to getting to know patients and making them a part of the process. This communication and relationship building is essential to developing plans which will really benefit patients over the long term. The course at the University of Indianapolis is an eight-semester program designed for working nurses, involving part-time study and an intensive clinical placement. The Nursing Profession Continues To Benefit Thanks to Orem and her self-care deficit theory, patients are no longer left to waste away as they begin to struggle with old age. Generations of nurses who have practiced this theory have observed that, even in later life, patients can often improve and regain their self- care abilities with the right support. Advances in assistive technologies continue to make this even easier. The right support, focused on facilitating and encouraging independence, enables seniors to go on living satisfying lives on their own terms for much longer. Even when they need extensive practical support, giving them more control helps to maintain their morale and ability to navigate the final chapter of their lives. In the process of providing this support, AGNPs also get what they really want; to see their patients thrive, no matter what they must overcome to achieve it. Additionals: 8 Awesome Health Benefits Of Dark Chocolate Psychedelic Therapy for Mental Health Conditions How Does Children’s Health Impact Parental Lifestyle?

Best Mattress for Back Pain

It's estimated that 80% of adults in Canada have chronic back pain problems and experience frequent sleep distractions occasioned by the constant discomfort. Back pain can disrupt your life, including your sleep. If you suffer from excruciating back pain, it is vital to get a comfortable and supportive mattress. You are likely to exacerbate your back pain problem along with its repercussions upon sleeping on the wrong mattress. A comfortable, supportive mattress dramatically reduces aches and pains during the night. Ultimately, it leaves you well-rested and very alerts the next morning. There are many issues to consider when you visit the best Mattress Ottawa for a suitable mattress for Back Pain. These include the following: The material used for construction The thickness of the mattress The firmness of the mattress Your body weight Your preferred sleep position Price What to Look For in the Mattress for Back Pain: Whenever you want to buy the best mattress designed for back pain, there are things we thought would be useful: Spinal Support: Although the lower neck commonly experiences back pain, you can as well feel it in other areas of your body. Hence, you should look for a pressure-relieving mattress that offers continuous support for your body. A good mattress will evenly distribute your body's weight to alleviate the stress on your spine. Avoid mattresses that can result in gaps between your body and the mattress. When there is a gap between your mattress and your body, it means you lack the necessary support. This could eventually cause joint pain when you wake up. Spinal Alignment: Your spine is comprised of three (3) natural curvatures: The C-shaped cervical spine of the neck The inverse C-shaped thoracic spine of the mid-upper back The c-shaped lumbar spine of the lower back It's critical to put these curvatures into consideration when buying a mattress for back pain. Maintaining these natural curvatures is essential when lying in bed. Your Weight: Bodyweight determines the ideal firmness of a mattress. Individuals who weigh 130 pounds or less—especially those fond of sleeping on their sides—can feel comfortable on medium (5) or softer mattresses. They tend to experience better pressure relief and close conforming courtesy of less-firm surfaces. On the other hand, people who weigh 230 pounds or less are better off with firmer mattresses—medium-firm or firmer. The reason is that firmer mattresses do not sink too far. Your Sleep Position: A softer mattress that conforms to your figure is suitable for individuals who prefer sleeping on their sides. Such a mattress is better equipped to align your spine. On the same token, firmer mattresses are suited to stomach sleepers as they do not sink too profoundly below their stomachs. Temperature: Temperature is also critical when shopping for the best mattress for back pain. You are recommended to get a mattress that is breathable. A breathable mattress proves handy when it comes to allowing for a more relaxed and more comfortable sleeping temperature. Comfort: Finding a comfortable mattress is as important as buying one that is supportive. Before you invest in any mattress, make sure that it is entirely comfortable, never buy a mattress that would need you to frequently turn and toss in bed trying to locate a more comfortable position. Read Also: Natural Latex Mattress Vs Foam Mattress What You Need To Know About Electric Mattress Pad Which One Of The Memory Foam Mattresses Out There Worth Your Money

3 Reasons To Fall In Love With CBD And Yoga

Holistic healing leads to wonders in the medicine world and promotes the top-notch functioning of the vital organs. Yoga is one of the ancient healing techniques that incorporates spiritual well-being and mindfulness. CBD Therapy makes the perfect pair for Yoga due to innumerable reasons. Cannabidiol interacts and induces spiritual effects in the same manner as Yoga does. These include better concentration, improved quality of life, relief from muscle aches, enhancement of mental space, and faster healing. Experts suggest that Yoga, coupled with CBD, might turn out to be miraculous for the human body. Keep reading to know the top benefits of combining your yoga sessions with some CBD supplements. 1. Instant Body To Mind Connection The secret to awareness lies in achieving consciousness in every aspect. Yoga instills mental awareness and allows you to be conscious of your movements. You are likely to undergo enhancement in the cognitive processes and spiritual well-being with regular yoga practices. What amplifies this process is the consumption of Cannabidiol. With the effective CBD oil tincture, one can make the most out of the yoga asanas and practices. It is because CBD targets mainly the endocannabinoid system of the brain. ECS, according to experts, is the gateway towards consciousness, which enhances the cognitive abilities, emotional state, as well as helps in spiritual awakening. 2. Controls Inflammation Regular Yoga and meditation control excessive inflammatory responses that might harm the body. While some amount of inflammation is fruitful and improves the immune response, too much of the same tends to be a hassle. Another top-notch reason to combine Yoga and CBD is the anti-inflammatory benefits. CBD, just like Yoga, helps in controlling inflammation and decreases painful sensations. It interacts with the brain receptors concerned with pain and blocks the perception by limiting the release of inflammatory cytokines and free radicals, mainly in the brain, joints, and muscles. 3. Relieves Daily Stress Busy work life and long working hours tend to impart stress on your body after a significant time. This increases the secretion of the stress hormone, i.e., cortisol. Further, the entire physiological system goes into a tension-like state. Yoga helps in reducing the release of stress hormones, which causes you to feel anxious, depressed, and sad. Similarly, CBD might enhance the emotional state of humans as well. It is because of its action on the endocannabinoid system. Experts suggest that the ECS system controls almost every aspect of the body, including the mental state. How To Consume CBD? CBD products are available in various forms in the market. This can be very tricky if you’re new in the CBD field as your lack of knowledge and experience with CBD may cause troubles for you. CBD is legal in the U.S but you should check the legal status of CBD before buying it. Here are the best ways to consume your CBD products: 1. Direct Ingestion: You can directly ingest CBD in the form of CBD edibles such as tasty CBD gummies and capsules. You can also take CBD oil sublingually by placing it under your tongue with the help of a dropper. 2. Mixing with Food: You can also consume your CBD products by mixing them with your favorite food or beverages to change their taste. If you don’t like to take CBD directly, then this method is best for you. 3. Topicals: CBD products are also available in the form of topicals such as creams, balms, salves, and bath bombs. You can consume it by applying it to your skin or any other part of the body. It‘ll provide you with similar results to other methods. Conclusion: CBD has managed to gain the limelight in recent years and many people are taking it as a natural alternative for its recreational health benefits. You can give CBD a try for sure but it is recommended that you should consult your doctor or any medical expert before taking any CBD to get the best results. Read Also: 4 Advantages of Using CBD Oils Is CBD Oil & Edible Treats Safe for Pets – Dogs & Cats 5 Important Things You Did Not Know About Hemp Oils

What Are The Best Strategies To Manage Insomnia?

Ways To Defeat Insomnia- THE 5 GOLDEN RULES

1. Don’t Change Your “Wake Up” Routine

2. Wave Goodbyes To Nicotine And Caffeine

3. Cut Down Unnecessary Naps And Increase Exercise

4. Make Sure To Be Comfortable And Discard All The Worries When Going To Bed

5. Light Therapy Combats Insomnia

When Do You Need Therapy?

Be More Self-Aware

Dealing With Constant Stress & Anxiety

Your Emotional Relationships

Available Treatment Options for Cocaine Addiction

7 Benefits of a Daily At-Home Yoga Practice

Soumava Goswami

A passionate writer and an avid reader, Soumava is academically inclined and loves writing on topics requiring deep research. Having 3+ years of experience, Soumava also loves writing blogs in other domains, including digital marketing, business, technology, travel, and sports.

Leave a Reply

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Self-Care Deficit Nursing Theory In Adult Gerontology Nursing

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What Are The Best Strategies To Manage Insomnia?

Ways To Defeat Insomnia- THE 5 GOLDEN RULES

1. Don’t Change Your “Wake Up” Routine

2. Wave Goodbyes To Nicotine And Caffeine

3. Cut Down Unnecessary Naps And Increase Exercise

4. Make Sure To Be Comfortable And Discard All The Worries When Going To Bed

5. Light Therapy Combats Insomnia

When Do You Need Therapy?

Be More Self-Aware

Dealing With Constant Stress & Anxiety

Your Emotional Relationships

Share this Article

Available Treatment Options for Cocaine Addiction

7 Benefits of a Daily At-Home Yoga Practice

A passionate writer and an avid reader, Soumava is academically inclined and loves writing on topics requiring deep research. Having 3+ years of experience, Soumava also loves writing blogs in other domains, including digital marketing, business, technology, travel, and sports.

Leave a Reply

Popular

Follow Us

Recent

Related