Dear LPG

I used to have no problems getting to sleep and staying asleep during the small hours, but stories I have heard from so many of my friends about similar problems have taught me that more older people than I ever thought are likely to suffer in this way. As we get older, so many of us have recurring and similar stories to tell when it comes to being wide awake and unable to sleep during the early hours. 

As a member of the world’s workforce, I could not get my head on the pillow fast enough to slip into the land of nod, but more recently, I have tried so many ways to get back to sleep. It is a topic of conversation that comes up all too often when a gathering of my 80-something-year-old friends gets together. We are now a close-knit group and have learned to talk about even the very personal aspects of this subject quite freely.

Of course, loo interruptions are inevitable as our ageing bladders lose strength, and the night can be ruined entirely once that happens. However, even after we have taken that away, many of us seem to tell each other about sleepless nights.  

Many of us are now used to accepting a telephone call from another group member who can’t sleep and feels the need for an early morning chat (if we can find a friend who is also awake enough to hear the phone ring).

One night recently, instead of just staring at my bedroom ceiling, I took a look at what the internet had to say. I found a few of the more predictable bits of advice, and not taking phones and having televisions in your bedroom is pretty near the top of that list. However, having taken a look at what the internet has to offer, I have to wonder if that is really the biggest part of the problem. 

But I did find a few more unconventional suggestions, and for anyone still battling with sleeping at night rather than far too much during the day, I felt it worth asking LPG to share them… 

GJ, Penge.  

GJ offers some getting back-to-sleep ideas that you may have yet to try.

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