Been through this before, so I know it gets better eventually, but what do you folks generally do to optimize beddy-bye time? To the insomniacs, what are some things you do in the wee hours/early morning for a relaxing start to your day?
This morning’s choice is checking out the music of Casiopea - saw them mentioned in a meme here recently, then later on saw one of my favourite gig spaces has a great local fusion jazz band doing a show covering them at the end of the month. Very chill, feels like menu music of a mid-90s Japanese 3D game in a very good way, lol. Funny how these things happen sometimes, kinda like seeing the car model you just bought everywhere on the road shortly after purchase.
If I’m taking a T break, I still need to manage my pain before bed. So I try to do some stretches to keep my muscles loose. It works sort of. I use a heating pad if the pain is too much.
I also try to make sure my bedding is just right. It needs to be clean and the right weight for the temperature. My pajamas need to be the right amount of comfy as well.
Lastly, I need to make sure the light level is good. Curtains drawn, charging lights covered, phone not polluting with light, HEPA filter light out.
T makes it easier to sleep even when something is off. Without it, I need to address those things.
Man … between your comment and some of the others, I really need to get my sleeping space in order. It’s, uh, not good. Bit untidy (my wife has more clothes than we have space at the moment), my usual comforter has been downstairs waiting to be washed for a while now (using another blanket which has been fine until recently), etc.
I like the idea of doing some light stretching before bed, just to kind of relax the muscles. May try that tonight. Actually been thinking about taking up/taking advantage of a newbie deal for hot yoga in general during the quit - if nothing else, a nice hot space to spend some time during the cold winters :).
Appreciate this! I know T breaks can be particularly challenging if you’re actively using cannabis for pain management, so much respect to you.
seconding the lighting stuff!
turn on that blue-light filter on your phone, be mindful of screen usage before bed, and ELIMINATE any lights (specifically blue ones) in your bedroom.
sometimes full dark can also be a little offputting, personally i’ve had a weird amount of luck with really low level warm lighting. just being in a dimly lit room will put me OUT way quicker than pitch black will.
i also do a podcast or something on a barely audible speaker with a 45 minute sleep timer. but that’s mostly a tinnitus thing for me, your mileage may vary.