INSOMNIA

Recently, We a.k.a. SK, a chat buddy and die-hard Radio Pencen fan told us that he suffered from insomnia. I hope he is sleeping well now because insomnia is really something to lose sleep over.

Insomnia is a sleep disorder. You might have insomnia if you have difficulty falling asleep, waking up often during the night and having trouble going back to sleep, waking up too early in the morning and/or you had an unrefreshing sleep once too often. Insomnia , like schools, can either be primary or secondary. Primary insomnia is when your sleeplessness is not directly related to any other health condition or problem. Secondary insomnia , on the other hand is caused by depression, heartburn, cancer, asthma, athritis or pain. It might also be caused by pain, medication or alcohol. Insomnia can be acute (short-term) or chronic (long-term). I usually have short-term insomnia. Once I have paid my debts, my insomnia and the accompanying goons sent by the Friendly Neighbourhood Along disappear.

A lot has been written on and about insomnia. Some give tips on techniques to help you sleep better. Among the suggestions are:

Taking a Warm Bath (Not applicable to sleepless goats)
Get A Massage
Listen To Music
Drink Warm Milk
Eat A Bedtime Snack (Wan, kebab is not advisable)
Avoid Caffeine, Alcohol and Tobacco
Sleep In a Well-Ventilated Room
Sleep on a Good Firm Bed
Sleep On Your Back
Get Some Physical Exercise During The Day
Keep Regular Bedtime Hours
Get Up Earlier In The Morning
Keep Your Bed a Place For Sleep (heh!)
Avoid Naps

Of course, there are techniques which only true-blue and despearte insomniacs would try:

Sleep With Your Head Facing North
Toe Wiggling
Stomach Rub (yours, I guess)
Progressive Relaxation
Deep Breathing

I like the "Progressive Relaxation" because apparently it worked for one of my friends. He was an insomniac until he taught all parts of his body to relax and go to sleep, progressively beginning with his toes. By the time he got to his eyebrows, he would be snoring.

One night he was on his usual Progressive Relaxation exercise, you know, going like:
"Toes, go to sleep"
"Knees, go to sleep"
"Thighs, go to sleep.."
When he got to his belly button, his wife walked into the bedroom, wearing the sheerest nightie from Victoria's Secrets. My friend's jaws dropped and he was quiet for a bit. Then he started shouting "Hey! Everyone wake up!!!!"