The average caregiver is not getting enough sleep to avoid being sleep deprived. If that describes you, it’s time to take a closer look at what isn’t working right in your sleep routine.
Caregiver in Huntington NY: Sleep Deprivation
Fix Your Sleeping Environment.
Your ideal sleeping environment might be more complicated than you think. Temperature, light, and comfort all factor in. Try adjusting one or two small factors in your bedroom and see if that helps. You might want to try blackout curtains, for instance, to see if that helps you to reduce the light in your room.
Prepare for the Next Day.
When you get ready for the next day the night before, you automatically set up a pattern where your brain is ready to go. It’s much easier to relax when you know that you’ve got everything that you need already in place. If this is a new habit for you, give yourself time to adjust to getting it right.
Nix the Blue Light.
Blue light, from screens on your cell phone or tablet as well as your television, is light that interferes with your body’s production of melatonin. That’s the hormone that makes sleep happen. You can use “night mode” on your electronic devices, but it’s an even better idea to limit your use of them at least an hour before you plan to fall asleep.
Get Some Exercise During the Day.
Most people don’t make an immediate connection between sleep and exercise. But the truth is that if you exercise a little bit each day, you can start to fall asleep more readily and get better quality sleep. You do need to be careful not to exercise too close to bedtime, but that’s something that you can easily tweak.
Use a Monitor.
For some caregivers, it’s worry over what’s going on with their aging adult that’s the problem. If you’re finding yourself in that situation, consider using a monitor. Monitors can amplify the sounds from your senior’s room and allow you to check on her remotely. That way you’ll know if you need to get up or not.
If you’re still having trouble getting the sleep that you need, there may be more at play with your sleep problems. Talk to your own doctor and determine if there’s some other underlying issue. From there, you can try some specific solutions related to those problems and see if they work. Once you crack the code, you’ll be amazed at how rested you feel.
If you or an aging family member are considering professional caregiver services in Huntington, NY, please call the caring staff at A Gentle Touch Senior Home and Health Care at 631-647-7622 today.