Wednesday, August 31, 2011

Sweet Sleep

I have struggled with sleep forever. When I was a toddler my Dad came home from a business trip and I greeted him the kitchen and then went back to me baby night roaming. They started locking me into my bedroom which to this day my mom insists the doctor ordered. I have my doubts. I sleep better these days and I think it has a lot to do with exercise, overall improved health and managed anxiety.

I still do not like going to bed. I still feel like I am going to miss out on something, and hate the process of quieting my mind. Whenever I am with a group of people I have to be the last to bed otherwise I have a really hard time relaxing and falling asleep. I have no idea why I feel the need to remain on high alert, maybe I was a watch dog in a former life. For a little while I was journaling before bed and that was not helping the sleep issue. It was like lighting a match to a pool of gasoline. My mind would start racing. I would think of other things to write down, sometimes feel upset having poked the emotional beast, but it did stop the night eating. I was having crazy wackadoo dreams and just wanted off the ride so I had to figure something else out.


 I read somewhere that reading something funny or humor before bed helps sleep. This is hugely helping me!  I modified my routine now I watch my stories with dinner, have a little journal time and then it's time for my favorite part of the evening. I curl up in bed with my ipad and laugh.  I have been reading more humor slanted books before bed and it has greatly improved my falling asleep and staying asleep. I also really like yogi kava kava stress relief tea. It makes me feel pleasantly loopy and relaxed.

What are you reading? Anything good? Is everyone reading The Help? Am I literally the last person to that party? What about some sort of book related giveaway?




My summer reading list:

I have no idea why I resisted Chelsea Handler's books for so long. Genuinely funny and charming. 





LOVE Laurie Notaro I was so excited when this was finally available.  There are some great essays but I prefer some of her other books. I could have also been too excited for this to finally be released. Regardless she is damn funny. 

I wanna be besties with Sloane. 

Seriously Sloane, you're in NYC, I'm in NYC brunch? 

Loved Stefanie Wilder-Taylor's books. A mix of funny and bittersweet. 

Not humor but very good, a touch dark at times but really captivating. 

Really loved this. Took me back to early 20's. 




4 comments:

  1. Hooray for book recommendations - I've been rereading some of my old favourites this summer. Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close by Jonathan Safran Foer is fab, it's not funny but everyone should read it.

    3-6 in the morning is my new wide awake but not so wonderful time. I'm going to try and hunt out the Yogi tea.

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  2. Arrgghhh 3-6 that's a crap time to be wide awake. Not fun. Definitely check out the tea, if you can't find it let me know and I'll send you some.

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  3. I love seeing your reading list! I was actually thinking of doing something similar on my blog. So if I want to read something by Laurie Notaro, which book would you recommend that I start with?

    And PS, you're not alone -- I haven't read The Help yet, either. But it's on my list, I promise.

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  4. Phew glad I am not the only one not reading it. For Laurie Notaro I would totally suggest her first book. It's still one of my favorites. The Idiot Girls' Action-Adventure Club: True Tales from a Magnificent and Clumsy Life is the one I would suggest. SO GOOD!

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