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it’s not just for when you’re sleepy—it actually helps balance your nervous system by stimulating the vagus nerve, which calms you down. i yawn when i’m anxious or to prevent anxiety in social situations, and it’s been a game changer for me these few months. give it a shot next time you need to reset
Aug 26, 2024
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Maybe it’s just a placebo but it helps me wind down. Also don’t bring screens into bed, that blue light robs you of the sleepy feels
May 9, 2024
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a shower or bath, some hot tea or warm milk. gentle warmth welcomes the body back into the parasympathetic nervous state you want to be in—waking up in the middle of the night is sympathetic nervous activation.
also, counting backwards from 100 helps wind my brain down. sometimes also picturing yourself on an elevator going down or gentle walking into a body of water.
Oct 4, 2024
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Ok here are some things that work ok for me, but they have not fixed my overall fatigue so ymmv:
-if I wake up anytime after 5.45am or so, I do my best to stay awake. If I fall back asleep I feel way groggier and worse when my alarm does go off and wake me up.
-anxiety meds, allergy meds, mouthguard have all helped me stay asleep instead of waking up in a panic or in pain. Use as appropriate to you.
-no evening naps!!! If I’m really tired I just have to make it to 8pm and then I can sleep.
-reading or journaling before bed would keep my brain a little too wired to shut off easily. I have had way more luck listening to a silly podcast with white noise on in the background and playing solitaire (such a low brain-engagement game) on my phone. It’s like a scalp massage but for my mind.
-my old neighborhood could be very loud at night, I hadn’t thought before abt using earplugs but now I don’t hesitate. I recommend the weird wax ones that you can shape to fit your ear.
-make sure you’re the right temperature. I have lain awake many nights for too long without realizing I was simply too cold to fall asleep. somehow my brain wasn’t registering that fully. now I keep a sweatshirt next to the bed so I can add a layer if needed.
-sorry to say but being well hydrated and truly tired from your day (esp if you’ve exercised) does help falling asleep a lot.
EDIT TO ADD also I quit coffee for unrelated health stuff but that also seems to have helped falling asleep so much, i wish it weren’t true bc i miss it but don’t think i can go back
Nov 13, 2024
Top Recs from @okra
I usually can’t bear documentaries where people just sit and tell stories on camera, so this one was such a gem for me. it’s entirely made up of footage from Bowie’s speeches and performances, much of which had never been seen before. the editing is boldly creative, and the overall experience feels like a trip
Aug 26, 2024