< previous page | page_69 | next page >
Page 69
| If you notice you are suddenly not sleeping well for several days in a row, look for recent stressful events or conflicts in your life. When you identify them, try to resolve them quickly. Don't ignore them, put off dealing with them or simply "hope" they will go away. Address them vigorously and successfully and your insomnia will usually resolve. Your major goal should always be to restore your previous sleep pattern just as quickly as you can. The longer insomnia lasts, the more bad habits and negative associations tend to form. |
| Chronic Insomnia |
| The best way to deal with chronic insomnia is to prevent it from becoming established in the first place. If you already have a problem that's lasted more than a month, there are some strategies most experts recommend. |
| Make Your Sleep Environment Safe, Quiet and Comfortable |
| Noise. Some people need absolute silence to sleep. You may be one of them, so try eliminating as much noise as possible by using carpeting, drapes or other sound-proofing and see if that helps. If your children are the problem, get them to modify their behavior. If neighbors are the problem, see what you can do to enlist their cooperation and support. If the telephone rings late at night, try to muffle the sound, turn off the ringer or instruct friends and relatives not to call after certain hours. |
< previous page | page_69 | next page >

If you like this book, buy it!