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How come pets never have insomnia?
By Gina Spadafori
August 28, 2007
These last few days I’ve been having my occasional back issues again, and the discomfort — OK, the pain — make it difficult to sleep.
I have a problem sleeping anyway, and I frequently have bouts chronic insomnia that last for days. As I sit up half the night, reading, trying to sleep, checking e-mail, trying to sleep, wandering the house, trying to sleep, I look over at four dogs and a cat who all seem to fall asleep the instant they put their heads down.
Doesn’t seem fair, does it?
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I’d ask my cats, but they’re sleeping.
Comment by Andrea 2CatMom — August 28, 2007 @ 10:54 am
I’ve got a spouse who does the same thing.
He won’t tell me the secret either!
Comment by MaineMom — August 28, 2007 @ 4:57 pm
Gina why not try a health food store. There is a homeopathic formula for insomnia. 2-3 capsules under the tongue and you’ll fall asleep shortly after without any abnormal effects in the morning.
Or try spraying lavender in the air or use lavender scented cream on your wrists and it will aid in falling asleep.
Comment by VJ — August 28, 2007 @ 5:54 pm
The Beckers sent me some lavender spray. It definitely helps … but the pets look at me funny when I spritz the bedding. I don’t think they like the smell!
Comment by Gina Spadafori — August 28, 2007 @ 6:01 pm
Do i remember right Clara is short for Claratin? Just on the off chance you are taking any “non-drowsy” allergy meds — stop! I can be sneezeless and sleepless, dopey and just stuffy, of sneezy but able to sleep.
Comment by Schnauzer — August 28, 2007 @ 9:25 pm
Insomnia: I’m one of those people blessed with “fall off to sleep the minute my head I put the book down” syndrome. [Please don’t hate me.] In the absence of certain drugs causing insomnia, I truly believe that if you simply learn how to divorce ALL your thoughts at the bedroom door, save for an image of a tropical beach where you’re playing with your pet, you won’t have a problem with falling asleep and staying asleep.
If you are plagued with the “I” monster, I suggest you consider all the things that are weighing heavily on your mind and rationalize why it’s simply stupid to dwell on them in bed. If you can come to terms with this, great. If this doesn’t work, then consider some deep rooted issue that probably needs to be addressed with a psychotherapist.
Regarding the recommendation involving a health food store - many of those items are from China. And almost none have been tested. Enough said?
Comment by Lynn — August 29, 2007 @ 5:03 pm
The homeopathic remedy for insomnia is made right here in this country. Most homeopathic remedies are.
Comment by VJ — August 30, 2007 @ 5:41 am
Another suggestion - if you have trouble sleeping don’t read or watch TV in bed before you go to sleep. This gets your brain cells going and its harder to relax.
You might want to try some meditation or other relaxation exercises before you go to sleep.
About 80% of the time I sleep pretty well, but I find it hard to get to sleep unless my kitties are all snuggled in their proper places. The other 20% is generally when the kitties are hogging the bed or decide to wake me up at 3 AM by dropping toys on my head.
I’d ask them why they do this, but…..they’re still sleeping!
Comment by Andrea 2CatMom — August 30, 2007 @ 6:56 am
All these suggestions are spot on. But … I simply can’t turn off my mind when I go to bed! Too much on it. (Or too little room in it, some would say.)
I guess our pets have untroubled minds because they know they are well cared for by us. No worries for them. :)
Comment by Gina Spadafori — August 30, 2007 @ 7:14 am
I call that brain spinning. Its really a form of anxiety often experienced by people who have unrealistically high expectations for themselves.
I used to have it all the time when I was younger. I’ve never handled stress all that well. Fortunately, I was able to simplify a lot of things in my life and accept my many, many imperfections - which eliminated the spinning.
I know, life doesn’t always allow for this.
To some degree its also a habit - some short term behavioral counseling could help. If you’re hesitant to explore that route, be assured the therapist won’t use a shock collar on you!
My mantra now is ‘what’s the worst that can happen?” Most problems have a way of resolving themselves - and generally a lot less painfully than we expect.
Comment by Andrea 2CatMom — August 30, 2007 @ 10:16 am