5 ways to combat sleep deprivation

Raise your hand if lockdown has messed around with your sleep pattern! A few weeks ago I posted about my struggle falling asleep during this time. I would doze off at about 1am and then wake up in a crazy sweat at 3.30am Every. Single. Morning – Thanks hot flashes, you ol’ frenemy!

After tossing, turning and trying to avoid the blue light of my phone, sleep eventually came my way again at about 6.30am. It was a nightmare – pun intended.

Having a good nights’ rest aids in reducing stress, inflammation and it is believed to improve the health of your heart too. And mine was shattered!

It came to my attention that quite a few of my social media friends were going through the same thing. Not necessarily the hot flashes, but sleep deprivation seems to be a common factor during this time

What’s really going on with our sleep pattern?

According to health.com, sleep deprivation is common during quarantine because of the following  reason:

” …heightened anxiety associated with concern about our health and that of our loved ones, along with financial distress and job loss, may be major factors. “Being isolated at home can also impact on our usual routines,”

Yep , it all boils down to anxiety.

How do you know that you’re sleep deprived?

Besides the obvious lack of sleep, you can tell that you are sleep deprived if you’ve experienced a few of the following:

• A change in your mood
• Irritability
• Fatigue
• Trouble concentrating
• Lack of sex drive
• Hypertension and even
• Depression in severe cases

How I managed to overcome sleep deprivation

1. Yoga and meditation

I’ve mentioned this before of here, but let me be very honest – I am not a fan of exercise. Yoga is different though. It involves a lot of breathing, meditation, awareness of self and stretching. It’s a relaxing exercise that benefits your body and your mind. Check out Yoga with Adriene on YouTube. She has yoga for different levels. Admittedly I’ve fallen behind a little, but I’m making a comeback because yoga genuinely helped me to relax.

2. Take a bath or shower before bedtime

I always believed in taking a shower in the morning. In my mind it set me off in the right direction for a spectacular work day. However, studies have proven that people who shower or bath at night not only fall asleep faster, they also experience a much deeper sleep. I’ve gone one step further by making a ritual out of my ablutions. I’m slowly but surely turning my bathroom into a little sanctuary. Think candles, plants, soft music and yes, even a glass of wine to end off my day. Small changes to your routine can be colossal to your well-being.

3. Collagen

A few months ago this was a foreign word to me. I saw the collagen craze all over my social media and did some researching on this miracle powder. Turns out collagen is great for your skin, hair, bones, and some say even your sleep patterns. The collagen trend deserves a post all on its own. Some say its fake news, but I have to disagree. I’ve been taking it on a regular basis and, well, it has become part of my essential items list. I use it in my coffee in the mornings and tea at night.

4. CBD capsules

Having mentioned my issues with sleep on social media, I was gifted CBD capsules for sleep from a brand called Bio Med Can. Like most people, I was sceptical about taking CBD at first. These capsules have zero THC which means that there is no hallucinogenic effect and it is non-addictive.

I take these capsules on those evenings when my  anxiety levels are at an all time high and I need a little extra help to calm me down.

The Bio Med Can capsules doesn’t have the groggy after-effect most sleeping capsules leave me with the next morning. The website says the capsules will assist you in achieving a deeper, natural sleep. I can definitely attest to this.

 5. The magic of massage candles

Massage candles are made up of soy wax, essential oils and butters that burn at a lower melting point, which enables your skin to absorb it. I purchased my first massage candles through local South African brand, Femai Royale. I chose lavender which assists in improving sleep and menopause systems, as well as Ylang Ylang, which is a mood enhancer. Let me tell you, there is something magical about lighting your candle before bedtime, dropping those oils into your hand, and gently massaging your neck and shoulders. These candles make your room smell divine, and you can feel your knots melt away. Femai Royale has a special on their candles right now, but you can get an added 10%  discount by using my code AC10 when purchasing your candles. You’re welcome!

Let me know if you plan on trying any of these tips or if you have some of your own.