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Today's cleaning assignment is to steam clean carpets or area rugs and mop wood floors.
Here it is 4 am and I can't sleep again. I think it is because I've been feeling a migraine coming on for the past several hours.
But, a friend once told me that when she had trouble sleeping, she would just get up and clean something.
I think that is great advice for several reasons.
- Instead of tossing and turning and getting frustrated over not being able to sleep, you are accomplishing something.
- You can get much more accomplished when you don't have distractions i.e., little ones clamoring for your attention.
- I love little feet and their little foot prints, but it is easier to mop floors when little people (sometimes big people, too!) don't keep making tracks!
That being said, I am, most likely, going to be dealing with some fatigue as the day progresses.
This makes today's reading very relevant to me since it is all about fighting fatigue.
Sarah Mae lists out some really great tips for fighting fatigue. Some I've tried and some I haven't but intend too. I'll let ya know how those work out for me.
- Get Moving - I can attest that when I'm inactive I feel more sluggish and lazy and if I'm battling a migraine it exaggerates the queasy feelings. I also get more irritable with those around me if I haven't felt like I've accomplished much. (Who doesn't hate that feeling though.)
You can CLEAN, exercise or even play with your kids...the key is move! - Only Get the Sleep You Need - This one I haven't really tried. I've always tried to follow the advice of the experts to get roughly 8 hours of sleep each night. Most nights it doesn't work. Maybe that is why I battle with insomnia. I do know that if I get a lot of sleep, I still wake up tired and sluggish, but sometimes if I get a lot less sleep I seem to function better. Sarah Mae encouraged to keep notes of when you lay down and when you get up and also how you feel. Doing so might lead you to discover a pattern about how YOU handle sleep and what amount leaves you feeling the most vibrant. (This is one I need to try.)
- Increase Your Magnesium - This is one tip, that I'm actually currently working on. Evidently, most people have low levels of magnesium. Symptoms of a low level of magnesium may include: "agitation and anxiety,
restless leg syndrome (RLS), sleep disorders, irritability, nausea and
vomiting, abnormal heart rhythms, low blood pressure, confusion, muscle
spasm and weakness, hyperventilation, insomnia, poor nail growth, and
even seizures." Read more about this here.
- Have a Snack - Most people know that having a snack sometimes helps with their energy level. It certainly does with mine. I know though that I need to make sure my snacks are ones that help to provide sustained energy so that I don't crash and burn later. Good suggestions are: Nuts like almonds or cashews, and whole grains. I like a nice slice of whole grain wheat bread with real butter. Healthy fats and proteins are good sources of energy.
- Caffeine - I probably drink more of this than I should (I drink a LOT of coffee.) But, if you aren't pregnant or nursing some caffeine may help to energize you. By the way, not everyone can or should consume caffeine while they are pregnant or nursing, but I did (not a ton) throughout my pregnancies and nursing and all my kids came out fine and do not have issues with consuming caffeine. Some people definitely cannot consume it though. You just have to know your body and what is right for you.
Sources:
http://umm.edu/health/medical/altmed/supplement/magnesium
http://www.dreamstime.com/old-mop-hanging-by-door-stock-images-rimagefree70024-resi6415763
These are great ideas. I've also heard of using a sleep/dream journal to help record the happenings surrounding your sleep schedule to help identify areas that might be affecting your quality of sleep. :)
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