What I do to help me sleep

No doubt about it, the GBS affected the sleep center of my brain, among other things. But I’ve learned a few coping strategies. For instance, if I wake up at 3 AM and can’t fall asleep again, I get up, go to the kitchen and do the odd chore or two. My muscle system is so damaged that I can only do physical activity for about an hour before feeling exhausted. Then I go back to bed, and I fall asleep. It works for me.

The second thing I do to fall asleep in the first place is to go to sleep watching a movie. Anything with the titles: Godzilla, Rodan, Mothra, etc, etc. will put me to sleep within half an hour. I have attempted to watch these movies many, many times now, and I still don’t know the ending to any of them, because I fell asleep.

The third thing I do to fall asleep is going to bed with toast, camomile tea and a good book. After a few pleasant relaxing moments, I can just switch out the light and I fall asleep within minutes.

It also helps if I turn up the heat, and wear warm pajamas and socks, if my feet are in an icy mood. I use a foam mattress since the GBS, and it helps to warm me and relax me, and has been a big help in my recovery to date.
(lullabye, and good-night…..lah,lah,lah, lah, lah, lah, laaaaah………….zzzzzz)

–Donna