Sleep is something we don’t always think about; we just take sleep for granted until we don’t have it. It’s something we all need, but don’t always get. Some of us need more sleep than others, but whether we sleep or not, there are good health reasons why we need to sleep.
Sleep slows down the ageing process, keeps the immune system healthy, cuts down our cravings of unhealthy food, helps prevents Type 2 Diabetes and helps prevent Hypertension and Heart Disease. Research has shown that the more we stay asleep, the more information we retain and the better we’ll perform on memory tasks.
Our bodies require long periods of sleep to restore and rejuvenate, to repair tissue and help muscle growth.
I am aware of the benefits of sleep, but the problem I have is that I struggle to fall asleep. Daily stresses sometimes make it difficult for me to unwind my mind at night.
I know it's not healthy, but I came to rely on a sleeping aid most of the time. Once in a while, reading before bed helps me to relax.
I know how you feel. I usually have to sort out various issues in my day otherwise I have trouble falling asleep too, but luckily through experience, I am able to sort out my issues most of the time.
I find something every now and again wakes me up, which isn't usually down to me, but down to issues others are dealing with, where they have brought me in. When other people's issues are brought in and involve us in some way, it can make our life more stressful and their stress can interfere with our sleep.
I may take herbal remedies to get me through those stressful times, but it's always better to go without sleeping aids, particularly if they're conventional, doctor meds.
As you rightly point out, we come to rely on them too much and they have too many side effects too. I'd rather do without.
Does having Cerebral Palsy require our bodies to sleep more than the average person? I know my body does to the point of ridiculousness. I've always been exhausted after performing the smallest of tasks.
Just getting my kids off to school or running a few errands makes me feel like I've run a marathon, then gone shopping afterwards.
I know at 33 I shouldn't feel like this. Any thoughts Ilana?
Thanks Bonnie. Yes, people like us with cerebral palsy, will use 3 to 5 times more energy than someone without the condition, so you dropping your children off to school and shopping afterwards would absolutely make you tired.
I'm not sure whether there are answers to the patterns of someone with Cerebral Palsy and sleep. I would also be interested to know how a Cerebral Palsy brain works around sleep.
Wow thank you for the information Ilana! My mom used to call me the marathon napper, because I didn't have much energy and would sleep after playing.
Now I want to sleep after doing small errands. It's a bit irritating especially with loved ones that don't understand or choose not to.
Or choose not to... yes, the sad reality is that happens too and made harder because there is little information out there to help us understand what we deal with and how our symptoms will impact our lives.
Like you, I am also still learning about my symptoms and will blog more as I go.
You do the very best any therapist could accomplish. I mean that from the bottom of my heart and soul.
Awww thanks Bonnie. I appreciate the sentiment.
You're welcome. Your diary has helped so many people that have been singled out because of their disabilities. I want to thank you for that. My mom even understands better now because of the diary.
I'm so pleased Bonnie. Thank you so much! And your mum...