How well are you sleeping?

SSG Carlos Madden — Tue, 09 Apr 2024 11:20:03 -0400

Sleep is often cited by the most important thing to help improve our overall physical and mental health. Think about it, in the last few months how have you been sleeping? What strategies can you offer to those who are struggling?

Personally I sleep pretty poorly. I try to go to bed by 11. I wake up every night at 3am and can't go back to bed for at least and hour. Half the nights I move between the bed and the couch, or just stay on the couch, because I sleep better there. Wake up in the middle of the night slightly sweaty. Than the family is up and getting ready for school by 6am. By 3pm I feel like I've been hit by a truck.

Response by MSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 9 at 2024 11:23 AM

MSgt Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 09 Apr 2024 11:23:21 -0400

Retirement works wonders for my sleep cycle!

Response by Maj Robert Thornton made Apr 9 at 2024 12:19 PM

Maj Robert Thornton — Tue, 09 Apr 2024 12:19:53 -0400

None of the above. I sleep well for 6.5 hours in a sleep number bed.

Response by Sgt Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 9 at 2024 12:29 PM

Sgt Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 09 Apr 2024 12:29:03 -0400

SSG Carlos Madden I also wake up at night slightly sweaty and will get up and go sleep in a chair. To try and get better sleep, I eat my bigger meals at lunch. Even then, fried catfish/shrimp will sometimes make me sweat at night. I do not have any food or drink after 7 p.m. and that helps with not having to get up as often to use the restroom. Trying to remain calm when I go to bed is important, otherwise I can lay awake all night. Staying extremely busy is my method to keep my mind occupied. When I can walk half an hour a day, I usually sleep better.

https://www.maketheconnection.net/symptoms/trouble-sleeping?utm_source=google&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=search-trouble-sleeping&utm_term=sleep%20deprivation&utm_content=headterms&gclid=Cj0KCQjwztOwBhD7ARIsAPDKnkD_KS5GgYcKnDkrVBcazY5GMkooZXNfXFBnt9rNaCN5wv4JjS8bgecaAtThEALw_wcB

Trouble sleeping? Treatment & support for Veterans

Some Veterans may experience trouble sleeping, which can be a symptom of a larger problem. Take action: hear Veterans' stories & find treatment options.

Response by Lt Col Charlie Brown made Apr 9 at 2024 1:29 PM

Lt Col Charlie Brown — Tue, 09 Apr 2024 13:29:51 -0400

I work with a sleep coach and she's been very helpful.
1. Cool room, temps between 62-65
2. Dark (might need a sleep mask
3 Quiet or use a fan for white noise

Response by SSG Laurie Mullen made Apr 9 at 2024 7:46 PM

SSG Laurie Mullen — Tue, 09 Apr 2024 19:46:50 -0400

I still toss and turn. If I have trouble falling asleep for a couple of days in a row then I put my pillow at the foot of the bed. Sometimes just changing where I sleep on the bed helps.

Response by SGM Erik Marquez made Apr 10 at 2024 9:16 AM

SGM Erik Marquez — Wed, 10 Apr 2024 09:16:22 -0400

3-4 hours uninterrupted on average, awake about 0300, and lay in bed hoping for another 10-30 min at a time naps until I get out of bed at 5:30

Response by Cpl Vic Burk made Apr 10 at 2024 1:45 PM

Cpl Vic Burk — Wed, 10 Apr 2024 13:45:15 -0400

Job stress is my biggest problem getting to and staying asleep. I wake up many times during the night and the first thing that pops into my head is how I'm going to present todays lesson in the most effective manner. This time of the year is the worst due to the upcoming state End of Course exams.

To help me get back to sleep I have headphones next to my bed with recording of sounds of nature, birds, rain falling with thunder, water running, wolves in the background, etc. at a low level. It doesn't always work but it helps. Regardless of when I go to bed I'm up before the 0530 alarm 99% of the time.

Response by LT Mark Schreiner made Apr 17 at 2024 10:52 PM

LT Mark Schreiner — Wed, 17 Apr 2024 22:52:11 -0400

I rarely sleep at night. If I lay down I can't breathe and that keeps me awake. Plus my legs hurt all the time. After several days of no sleep at all I usually fall asleep in a chair and sleep for 15 min up to 3 hrs. But then I have a stiff neck and headache. And even sleeping upright it's hard to breathe. I've never smoked but spent a year or so with the Marines in the Gulf War. Docs tell me the sand I took into my lungs along with the oil well smoke is likely why I cannot breather and sleep. This has been going on since 1991.

Response by MAJ Montgomery Granger made Apr 19 at 2024 7:41 AM

MAJ Montgomery Granger — Fri, 19 Apr 2024 07:41:58 -0400

Funny you should ask!
Hey, everyone, I was just like our friend here, SSG Madden, waking up 2-3 times per night, not able to return to sleep consistently and then never reaching that deep sleep that releases the natural elements that help heal and refresh the mind and body. Until I finally went to my local VA and signed up for a sleep study. If you've never done this I HIGHLY recommend it! It's free for veterans, and can be done at home! They sign out very expensive gov't equipment to you, show you how to use it, and then you perform your own sleep study at home. When you return with the equipment, including a monitor, they download and then analyze the data, then have a physician look it over for diagnosis. It's painless, quick and easy! I was diagnosed with "severe sleep apnea." The doctor ordered an "APAP" (like a CPAP, but a little more sophisticated) machine and peripherals for me, and in less than two weeks I was up and running with a system that monitors my sleep status and provides feedback in the form of graphic reports. Yes, there is a smart phone app, touch display controls on the machine, and which is quieter than a mouse. There is a water reservoir and heated hose to prevent dry mouth and throat, and instead of a mask, I have something called "pillows," two ultra soft rubber inserts that gently fit around and slightly into my nostrils. I was afraid of wearing a mask, as that triggers my claustrophobia, the pillows do not! I sleep with my mouth closed, as the machine gently increases the air pressure with moist, filtered air. It does take some getting use to, both the feelings and sensations generated by the machine, and I am still adjusting five weeks into the therapy, but I am making steady progress. The app generates a graphic report on all aspects of the treatment system, giving you an overall rating based on your prescription and performance. Two nights ago I earned a 100 percent rating! Although not profound (yet, I hope), the changes and difference in how I feel are improving, I rarely get up in the middle of the night at all anymore, in fact, I have slept through the night several times in the past five weeks, and I can't tell you the last time I did that before starting my therapy. Run, don't walk to your local VA after calling and then making an appointment with the Sleep Study Center - in my VA, co-located with the cardiac center. All of the equipment was FREE, and I own the APAP and peripherals and am entitled to replacements and supplies. The home sleep study is easy and painless and could lead to relief that could extend your life! Hooah!

Response by SMSgt Lawrence McCarter made Apr 19 at 2024 8:29 AM

SMSgt Lawrence McCarter — Fri, 19 Apr 2024 08:29:33 -0400

I certainly can relate to exactly what You describe about the poor sleep quality and waking up during the night. Sleeping more than five hours seems pretty rare for Me now when sleeping soundly for 8 hours or more used to be the norm. Getting up to use the restroom seems to be a big factor and clearing My mind of a though process that seems to also keep Me awake and occupied when i should be sleeping instead of thinking.

Response by CSM Charles Hayden made Apr 19 at 2024 8:42 AM

CSM Charles Hayden — Fri, 19 Apr 2024 08:42:21 -0400

SSG Carlos Madden I seem to toss around in bed, it may be old creaks and squeaks adjusting in my ancient body. Nevertheless, my Apple watch normally credits me with over 80% of ‘Core Sleep’,

Response by SFC William Stephens A. Jr., 3 MSM, JSCM made Apr 27 at 2024 8:16 PM

SFC William Stephens A. Jr., 3 MSM, JSCM — Sat, 27 Apr 2024 20:16:31 -0400

I sleep with a weighted blanket. The best sleep I have ever gotten, some of them are cooler. the weight releases stress. I also have a ice beanie, It is like a cap you can pull it over you entire face and it is a cooling feeling as well.

sleep tight....