Have you ever experienced a sleepless night?  It can be very hard to function the next day if you can't get the necessary slut eye.  If prolonged insomnia-induced nights add up, you run the risk of getting in to a car accident or some serious medical conditions.

Sleep deprivation can contribute to depression, heart disease, high blood pressure, stroke and diabetes.  If you have a lot of sleepless nights, it's important to call your doctor and seek some advice.

Usually there's a reason for it and if it has something to do with having a lot on your mind, it's important you try to turn off your mind.  While I've had sleepless nights from time-to-time, usually I can solve it by turning on a fan in my room or any of the proven solutions that have worked for me:

  • Make a meal plan.  Try not to do a big meal or drink alcohol after 8pm weeknights.  You need to give your body time to digest and if you keep your evening meal light or don't eat after 8, you stand a much better chance to get to sleep easier.
  • Turn off all electronic devices.  That includes TV, games, your ipad and phone.  There's something about electronics and the brain that slumber does not like.
  • Keep your room clutter-free.  I know this sounds silly but if you have a lot of clutter in your room, your brain works overtime for some reason.
  • Warm milk.  this is something my Grandmother swore by, it worked for me as a kid and it works still to this day.  Warm the milk, sip it and this should work.  Camomile teas like Sleepy Time, also work well.
  • Frozen sheets.  I mentioned this on my show today.  Sometimes we get some hot nights in the Southern Tier and if you're like me and you don't have or want air-conditioning, try putting your pillow cases (or sheets) in a plastic bag and popping them in the freezer for 30 minutes.  Then make up your bed and slide between the cool sheets. That is if you like your sheets cold!  Hey, it's worth a try.

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