Sleeping Better -- without drugs

Insomnia and irregular sleep have plagued me much of my lifetime, although I've gotten better at it in recent years. Still, I can sometimes go several nights in a row without getting at least seven hours of sleep. If I don't get at least six, my brain definitely isn't up to snuff as the day and evening wears on.
My last really bad sleep-deprivation period was last spring around the time that my mother died; she had a stroke from which the doctors said she could not recover, and lay in her deathbed for over two weeks before the end. Those weeks and for several thereafter caused me much anguish and made it hard to rest, drugs or no drugs.

Even for lesser disturbances or anxieties, getting enough sleep can be a dicey thing.
Therefore, I am pleased to share with you this informative list of "7 Ways to Get Better Sleep Without Drugs."
Click here to read more details about this helpful advice.
 1. Don't eat right before bedtime. Your body needs time to digest what you eat, and some foods (including alcoholic beverages) can interfere with your sleep cycle.
2. Read before bedtime. I almost can't get to sleep without reading before turning off the light, usually something easy like a magazine article. It's just so relaxing.
3.  Get a better pillow -- and replace it often. You shouldn't use the same pillow for years on end!
4. Consider herbal remedies. This article suggests herbal teas, although I can't really recommend them right before bed because they make me have to get up in the night to pee.
5. Listen to music; just make sure it isn't disturbing anyone else around you (partner, neighbor or otherwise). And it should be a type of music that you find relaxing, not something that causes you to jump around your room practicing dance moves.
6. Visit an acupuncturist. Their remedies might work for you.
7. Try nose strips. They work for some people!

Yes, it's Marilyn Monroe reading in bed

Help for the Sleep-Deprived (or Sleep Interrupted)

This posting isn't about food, but it's certainly on a topic that's very crucial to our health: sleeping well.
Some health-oriented folks, including doctors, believe that sleep may be the most important component in our entire health profile, above diet, exercise, vitamins, medications, and visiting doctors.
So here's some advice for those who have trouble staying asleep -- that is, you may fall asleep easily enough, but you wake in the night and can't get back.
It's from Real Age, and it's titled "Fall Back Asleep Fast with These 3 Tips"

1. Don't fight it. Tossing and turning works for salads, not sleep problems. If you can't get to sleep within 15 minutes, get out of bed and do some light activity, like a yoga pose or a short walk. Getting your mind off sleep resets and reboots your system. Then, once back in bed, invite sleep with some soft music or meditation. (Try setting the stage for sleep by doing this 7-minute evening stretch workout with Dr. Oz.)
   
   
2. Use the night. Dim your lights several hours before bed to avoid the stimulation caused by artificial-light pollution -- that stuff that emanates all around us thanks to TVs, computers, and indoor lighting. (And here's a great reason to nix midnight Web surfing, too.)
   
   
3. Treat your nose. Allergies can prevent and disrupt sleep, thanks to all the congestion they cause. Consider over-the-counter nasal strips or a nasal saline or antihistamine spray for a stuffy or runny nose. (Not sure if you have allergies? Read up on allergy testing.)