Sleep! Oh How I Miss You
If you have been on Peanut Butter and Whine for a while, you know that I complain WHINE about not sleeping well. WELL, I’m here to whine some more. Is it my age? Is it the mattress? Is it the pillow? Is it The Husband? (Yes, I do like to blame him for everything. WHY not this??) All I know is I wake up tired. I wake up with my back hurting. My neck hurting, and the dog is snoring. I think the only one in the bed getting a good night’s sleep IS THE DOG!! (she does NOT look amused at the early morning photo shoot)
A doctor’s visit and a home sleep study gave me some answers. I have severe sleep apnea. Oh GOODIE. Let’s get fitted for a CPAP machine. I was absolutely dreading that. I imagined what my uncle had, a big machine with a huge pump, and a continual swooooosh sound. Thankfully, that is no longer the case. Nowadays CPAP machines are small, the mask doesn’t cover your entire face. It covers your nose. THAT’s ALL!! Now, OF COURSE, the only thing SMALL on me is my nose. So, getting fitted has proved to be a bit of a challenge. I’m on my second mask. We will get this right eventually. (I hope!) I have horrible stuffy nose problems. So, even though this thing shoots air up my nose, I still can’t breathe. You also have to keep your mouth shut for the CPAP to work. I’m a mouth breather. THIS was a hard adjustment. I had to add Mouth Tape. That seems to help, until my nose gets stuffy, then I can’t breathe at ALL. I know that once I get this remedied it will help. So far, I’m still waking up tired.
I do know that it is beyond time to replace the mattress. Between The Husband and I, we have to add Miss Bear, the 125-pound Bernese Mountain Dog. Yup, between the three of us, we NEED a new mattress. Now, can we afford a new mattress? Noooooooo we can not. Not right now.
So, I looked for other more affordable solutions. For instance, I can afford a new pillow. After a LOT of research. AND After a STACK of pillows that DON’T work for me. I have found a Buckwheat Pillow. If you’ve used a buckwheat pillow before and the noise bothers you? Well, the folks at Pine Tales fixed that with a unique designer bamboo pillowcase that helps muffle that sound by 50%. Not only that, but this pillow is fully adjustable because they over pack the pillow. How brilliant is that? PineTales buckwheat pillows has other benefits as well. For instance, this pillow uses 100% organic buckwheat hulls, which is known for enhanced air circulation. This pillow is good for all sleep positions even us side sleepers. So, much so, that this pillow was voted Best Buckwheat pillow for side sleepers by the American Sleep Foundation.
All and all a great pillow. Now…….. could I possibly convince them to create a mattress?? If a pillow works THIS well, just think what an entire bed would do?!?!
How do you sleep at night? Are you like The Husband? Close your eyes and next thing ya know it’s morning? Are you a toss and turn gal like me? Do you have any other advice for me?? I would really love to know.
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36 Comments
Shannon Mitchell
I’ve had tons of trouble sleeping for the last 6 months or more. I’ve been falling asleep on the couch and then moving to bed in the early morning hours. I think it’s my painful back.
Anonymous
Before I even knew it was a meditation technique, I was practicing what is called “body scanning” to ease my mind and/or fall asleep. I picked up the idea from a science fiction television show I used to watch all the time. Not long after watching an episode in which a super advanced body scanning machine was used to scan people for their health, I found myself randomly thinking about the scene. Soon thereafter, I began imagining the translucent light beam scanning me from my toes up. I was just imagining the beam of light like a copy machine light traveling up me very, very slowly. The thought soothed me and still does to this day. I now fall asleep by the time the light hits my knees. You can find info about body scanning meditation online, but I didn’t find anything about imagining oneself in an actual body scanner. Because the machine I imagine is so advanced, and I just concentrate on the light beam travelling up me, I feel somewhat removed from reality and can rest at ease. My imaginary machine is very open and is located in a Summery forest clearing with a view of forested hills and mountains as far as the eye can see. I suggest you build yourself a machine, and you may be able to find rest, or even sleep, wherever you may be. The mind is a powerful thing.
Teresa H.
I accidentally commented as “Anonymous” on my body scanning technique comment.
Christina moore
I have no trouble sleeping
Molli Lillian Taylor
i have had trouble sleeping my whole life
Connie: The Head Peanut
You and me both. I just received a set of Grounding Sheets. I’m anxious to see if that helps me at all.
Princess
I recently tried asmr. It works averagly well
Connie: The Head Peanut
Good to know. I’m going to google that one. Thank you
Ed
I have a resmed sleep apnea machine. This has really helped with my quality of sleep.
Connie: The Head Peanut
That’s the same machine I have. I haven’t gotten a mask that works yet. Mostly, I think for me it’s because I can’t breathe through my nose well EVEN with the machine.
Princess
Sleep? Can’t remember the last time I slept well lol.
I’m a student
Princess
Sleep? Can’t remember the last time I slept well lol.
I’m a student
Connie: The Head Peanut
You are in great company. Lot’s of us here are the same way. Sleep? What’s that?? LOL
l p
it’s amazing how much sleep affects every aspect of our lives. thanks
Connie: The Head Peanut
Isn’t that the truth? Bad sleep makes me CRANKY!!
tammy ta
Sorry I have no tips to offer as I have never had even close to good sleep in my entire life.
Connie: The Head Peanut
I’m so sorry Tammy. When I find the perfect sleep solution I’ll be sure to post it.
Elizabeth
I like the kerplunk game, which tires your brain faster than sheep counting because it uses multiplication. “One frog, two eyes, four legs, in a pond, kerplunk! Two frogs, four eyes, eight legs, in a pond, kerplunk kerplunk!” and so forth. I like to picture Kermit. If you mess up, you’re supposed to start halfway from where that happened. After a while your brain says “heck with this!” and gets snoozy. (Of course, I forgot all about this last night, so YMMV.)
Elizabeth
You’d probably get a good chuckle at the Sloan song “I Dream of Sleep” (the bassist’s wife is a children’s sleep specialist)…
Connie: The Head Peanut
Oh my gosh. That’s an awesome game to play. Thank you for the suggestion.
heather
I draw the line at not getting enough sleep! It is for the good of the group that I get at least eight hours of blissful sleep. I so need a new mattress too but need to win the lottery first. I keep a strict sleep schedule and use the alarm 7 days a week to make sure I keep on schedule. I sleep in a cool room and a wear sleep eye mask. I am going to check those pillows that you mentioned.
Connie: The Head Peanut
I’ve tried eye masks, but I get so hot under them. Maybe it’s just a matter of finding the right one. I sleep in a cool room and I use the app called CALM to help me sleep. I’m going to try your suggestion about the eye mask. I’m SO TIRED! LOL
gloria patterson
Connie
TRY — LKY DIGITAL Sleep Mask for Side Sleeper 3 Pack, 100% Blackout 3D Eye Mask for Sleeping, Night Blindfold — THE INSIDES DON’T TOUCH YOUR EYES!!
https://www.amazon.com/Upgraded-Contoured-Adjustable-Comfortable-Blindfold/dp/B07YSNNFY3/ref=sr_1_4?crid=1YCT25DT79EDS&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.e8PpwjCTXHCD7oB-8Qplty–NgnGrcq2QHbynGgGw6Gldr2DE2ixJUZhhX4cFhau8VYqmU4mmCTN7JOnzahEsLlm04lGP3xHR0Vqq8yx9uky1D30la-j9bWabOcAE8US80BEYz2Wk4DmgzfNDNACHd4H085rXuaIOSUcZ7eQDPvssHBZUPxSmecouBjASsunj7bEEe5Zw3FK2t1iiaUoOtNErz73O0Re1nmgkDhJXpm4NzZ0kDN24kR1fUMsHeTug_Kx_9P8uBlTjhNFvWjQkS8O9IMx0iCsLPFzSCx6A_g.8nMGYfugcyTRyzw5y98yw5apq52t3Oiy6-fRwAaBxm8&dib_tag=se&keywords=eye+mark+sleep&qid=1709758433&sprefix=eye+mark+sleep%2Caps%2C276&sr=8-4-spons&sp_csd=d2lkZ2V0TmFtZT1zcF9hdGY&psc=1&smid=AMN3AMI4PGN6Y
Connie: The Head Peanut
Ohhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh Thank you Gloria!! I’m ordering today.
Michele Soyer
I have no trouble sleeping thankfully. I do go to bed with music playing softly…
Connie: The Head Peanut
Michele you are truly a wonder!! In the most awesome way possible. With all the physical labor you do every day it’s no wonder you sleep.
Fredrick Pauly
I have never tried a buckwheat pillow. I can’t seem to find a good pillow, so I might have to try one.
Connie: The Head Peanut
The pile of pillows that HAVEN’T worked for me is enough to make a new mattress. LOL I believe that buckwheat is the way to go.
Tamra Phelps
I have trouble sleeping a lot. I don’t have any secrets for making it go away. Mostly I just have to wait it out. Then crash, lol.
Connie: The Head Peanut
See?? This is why I’m certain you were my twin, separated at birth.
Martha Gallo
Oh, and taking a hot bath before bed helps as well, so does stretching before bed and the smell of lavander be it dried flowers, essential oil / diffuser or however you see fit but keep it away from kitties as it’s not good for them
Connie: The Head Peanut
Martha, THANK YOU!!! Those are some very helpful tips. I do love lavender. I have a lavender spray that I use on my pillow…. it’s sitting right on my nightstand. Do I remember to use it? Noooooooo. I am going to set it on my pillow. That will work. I think.
Martha Gallo
Sleeptime tea, warm milk and a banana and/or nut butter on toast, banana tea, tart cherry juice (we like concentrate) are a few tricks but one thing that helps is to reset your circadian rythm by getting into the strong morning sun which stimulates your brain chemicals, melatonin being the sleep hormone/chemical
https://www.swansonvitamins.com/p/dynamic-health-organic-certified-tart-cherry-juice-concentrate-16-fl-oz-liquid?SourceCode=INTL4071&showPopup=f&a=1&DFA=1&utm_medium=shoppingads&utm_source=google&utm_campaign=shopping+standard+joint&utm_content=&SourceCode=INTL4071&gclsrc=aw.ds&gad_source=1&gclid=CjwKCAiA_5WvBhBAEiwAZtCU71mdcNxxnfnnW9WhIwHChd0SGhAU03g6snD516q82foLDAPDDyShbRoCp7AQAvD_BwE
Connie: The Head Peanut
Oh my gosh Martha! Thank you for all these tips. I’m going to try the Sleepytime tea and the banana and peanut butter (that’s RIGHT up my alley) I had never heard of the cherry juice. I’m headed there next to see what that’s all about.
Sunshine? Well, winter in Idaho is NOT going away so it’s gray sky and snow again. (Or still)
Thank you again for all the wonderful tips.
gloria patterson
DON’T HATE ME ……………………..
I have not slept comfortable in a bed in to many years to count. Start when I had hip (both replaced) problems and I was a SIDE sleeper. I moved to a recliner and have never gone back to the bed. I can sleep on a mattress but I don’t sleep good.
Around 10:30 I am ready to sleep. Turn the timer on for the TV usually a hour. Recliner, blanket, Lights out, FANS on, and most of the time I am out in minutes. If I wake up to potty it is usually around 2 and then usually I am awake around 6
Its just like naps I need one, set the timer on my phone then I am out
Connie: The Head Peanut
I may have to resort to the recliner. This getting older stuff is NOT for sissies.