Sleep. Beautiful sleep.

in·som·ni·a  n.   Chronic inability to fall asleep or remain asleep for an adequate length of time.

I suffer frequent bouts of insomnia ... nights when I just can't sleep more than 2 hours.  And I have always had problems falling asleep ... taking well over an hour of laying in bed before that sweet unconscious state takes over.

NO MORE!  On the advice of a professional I tried something new a few months ago and it's still working, so I'd thought I'd share my new-found technique.  He said I would fall asleep easily and have a deeper refreshing sleep  (more REM time).

The solution:  Classical music. (no words allowed) 
The method:  Put on soft, relaxing classical music; turn off the light; LISTEN to the music.

First, I needed to ensure I was listening to relaxing music --  No 1812 Overture stuff!   Solution: off to iTunes where I found an album entitled "The most relaxing CLASSICAL music in the universe."  It's certainly true to its name!

 

Next, I needed to figure out how to play it just for me (Harry wasn't interested in hearing it!  But then he's asleep before his head even settles into the pillow. )  Solution:  use my iPod. 

After 2 nights of falling asleep with ear buds and finding it very uncomfortable and the iPod playing through the entire album  - 2 hours 55 minutes, I had to find a way to turn it off after 45 minutes or so. 

Back to iTunes.  Guess what!  There's a FREE app for that!  I downloaded the app "Sleep Timer with music: reverse alarm clock" ( http://itunes.apple.com/ca/app/sleep-timer-with-music-reverse/id354737783?mt=8 ).  The app allows you to choose music from your library and then set how long you want it to play.

I place the iPod beneath my pillow where I hear it, but Harry doesn't.  I let it play for 45-60 minutes.  At first I would listen to 5 or 6 pieces before I fell asleep.  Now I 'm lucky to hear all of the second song!  If I wake up in the night and need to fall asleep again, I just put it on again and within minutes I'm sound asleep.  I'm getting the best sleep I've had in YEARS and no more chemical aids to achieve it!

So I can now proclaim "Sleep.  Beautiful sleep!" 

Hmm ... I wonder if it works on kids ... ?

Solution

What do you do when Opa says he has to leave but you don't want him to go?

TACKLE HIM!!!

September Blues

Here it is.  Mid-September.  For the first time in 10 years, we are not on our annual 5-week holiday.  I have just realized this week that it seems strange to be in Calgary through the season change.  Normally we would leave Calgary in September and summer weather.  And we would return in October and fall weather.

This year I am watching the cool nights begin to affect the trees and bushes.  And, despite occasional hot days, the light during the day has subtly changed so you know it's no longer summer.  Even the air smell different.

I am harvesting roma tomatoes these days. They managed to survive all of our severe hailstorms.  My kale was obliterated by hail and by a visiting puppy who really liked to eat it!  I got one pepper and only a few carrots and parsnips.  I still have lettuce growing to my surprise.

So ... while leaves have orange and yellow hues, tomatoes take on red and the foliage is turning brown ... I have the (temporary) blues.