Monday, December 11, 2017

THANK YOU JULIE CHEN


Those who have been with me for a while know I am a sucker for the easy fix.  I firmly believe most things in life can be cured or mended with either a life style change or a gadget. I feel we spend to much money and time on complex fixes. That is just me.

I have mentioned before that I don't sleep well and this has carried over from my early days. This seems to plague much of society.  When I was younger, 4 hours of sleep a night was fine. 

I was never aware of being tired. I remember smugly reading that Thomas Edison thought anyone who got 8 hours of sleep a night was a fool. He thrived on 4 hours. Difference was, he got a lot done in his extra 4 hours. Me--not so much.

When I hit retirement, I started going to sleep much earlier so a 10 PM lights out left me bright eyed at 2 AM.  Don't know if you are aware but that is a boring time of night in the confines of your home. You sure can't call anyone for a chat and infomercials stink. Kindle or the computer are  your only friends.

No longer was I energy charged for the rest of the day as I was when younger. I was tired. So I resorted to naps and sleep aids when I'd get desperate. I was on a spiral that I really didn't like.

I go to sleep quite easily, just don't stay asleep. Wide awake after those measly 4 hours. Tried every trick in the book to get back to sleep. 

If I am ever dementia tested, I can do the counting backwards test from a hundred like a champ--even by 7's. I've tried that particular trick many, many  times. Nada.

Tried reading, have black out window shades, a sleep mask, cold room, no eating after 4 PM, tried eating turkey before bed, raise the head of the bed, exercise, no exercise, warm bath--- the list goes on and on. Still nada.

Julie Chen
I tend to let the TV run when ever I am home for I use it as a white noise to drown out my tinnitus (ringing in the ears). While walking past the TV I caught a bit of the show The Talk recently when the host Julie Chen gave her solution to sleep problems. My ears perked up and I sat down to watch.

She said she had a tip and that we would thank her for later. Julie said that when you need to go to sleep, inhale deeply to the count of 4, hold your breath for the count of 7, then exhale to the count of 8.  Rinse and repeat.  She said it may take several repeats but that it will work.

Having nothing to lose, I tried her method. I can only say that for Julie and me, it works splendidly.  I am now clocking 7 hours plus almost every night. I still wake up but only very briefly and the breathing trick puts me right back to sleep. 

OMG Julie, where have you been all my life??  Oh that's right--you weren't born for most of it. 

So I am passing her tip along and hope if this is a problem for you or someone you know that the answer can be just this simple. Really hope it helps you as it has me. You're welcome.

52 comments :

  1. I will try this...zzzzzzz...tested the idea and fell asleep before I could finish my comment.

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  2. Yep, this is a great trick. I don't need it, since I manage to get eight hours of sleep every night without trying. So glad to know you've found the trick for you!! :-)

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    1. Djan,
      Oh lucky you.I so envy you easy sleepers. I guess if I walked 20 miles a week, I might sleep better also. Think I will try this first though:))

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  3. I have a similar problem and I've been doing that breathing trick for a while now. It doesn't always work for me but 80% of the time, it really, really does. Thank goodness because it's so frustrating to lie there and not be able to fall asleep again.

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    1. Kay,
      There were two nights it didn't work for me either but the over all success rate is enough for me to keep it up also. So glad it works for you too.

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  4. I just woke up so but I'm going to try this tonight. Falling asleep hasn't been as much of a problem for me since I started 10 mg of Melatonin a half hour before I want to fall asleep. I don't sleep long enough though.

    I love the time between 10 PM and midnight though. I rarely go to bed before midnight.

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    1. Jean R,
      I tried Melatonin but darn, it didn't work for me. So glad it does for you though.

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  5. I will definitely try this the next time I wake at 2:00 and can't fall back to sleep. I have tried to concentrate on my breathing while I've been awake, and that does seem to help, but this method sounds very promising. Thank you!

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    1. robin,
      A lot of people use this to combat stress and anxiety. Maybe it would help those times when the world just gets too darn scary to deal with. Can't hurt.

      Delete
  6. Here at Casa de Cuckoo, we use this technique for anxiety. Works like a charm. I had never contemplated it for sleep. I'll give it a try. Thanks.

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    1. Linda W,
      Thanks, I think I will give it a shot also when things get prickly. Good to know it works for that also.

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  7. That is amazing! Who would have guessed that something that simple would work?! So glad you're getting enough shuteye now. Being sleep deprived is no fun, plus it's not good for our health. Bring on the zzzzzzzz's....

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    1. Carole,
      We do need our sleep don't we if we want to give our bodies a chance? I'm hoping to form a good habit here.

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  8. Dear Patti, how wonderful. Truly. This is like an early Christmas gift from the Julie and the Universe. You just happened to overheard the words about sleeping, you stopped, you listened, and now you are sleeping at night.

    My catching the plane in Salt Lake City after my Idaho visit for Thanksgiving was called a "Christmas miracle" by a Minnesota friend. I'd say this is your "Christmas miracle"!!!! Peace and good sleeping!

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    1. Dee,
      It was a wonderful and surprising gift I didn't ask for but was delighted to get.
      I really enjoyed reading about your Christmas miracle.

      Delete
  9. Like everyone else that commented I am definitely going to try it tonight. However, I don't understand where you said if it doesn't work "Rinse and repeat". What am I missing? I have your same problem ... 4 hours sleep and I am wide awake and can't get back to sleep.

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    1. Ginnie,
      I so hope it works for you as well. 4 hours may have served Edison but I think it is proven that the rest of us need more.
      Rinse and repeat is a play on the directions on shampoo bottles. It has become a slang expression that implies that if something doesn't give you the results you wish, just redo till it does.

      Delete
  10. Hi, Until about a year ago, I never ever had trouble sleeping... BUT--for this past year, it has been HELL for me.... I actually had read Julie Chen's suggestion and tried it to no avail.... I've tried everything....My doctor finally put me on a sleep aid (Trazadone) --which is not habit-forming. I still don't sleep great but at least I am sleeping some better. (Getting 6 hours now instead of 4)..... Still frustrating for me since I never had this problem before and always got about 7-8 hours... Oh Well...

    Hugs,
    Betsy

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    1. Betsy,
      You have had a year that would keep anyone awake. I am glad you have found something that works foe you We need our rest to deal.

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  11. I sometimes have trouble getting to sleep, but now that i am retired I just don't fight it and read or turn on the tv then just sleep later in the day, but there are times where this trick could come in handy and will have to give it a try.

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    1. Joeh,
      I was doing that with naps but I really hate burning daylight. Hope it works for you on those times when
      you need an early start.

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  12. You are way more on the up and up than I am. I've never heard that play on words. Thanks and I'll try it tonight.

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    1. Ginnie,
      Don't know about that but I really hope it works for you.

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  13. Patti, I started using this when going through radiation years ago. It diminished anxiety. Works for sleeping too... maybe not 100%, but a lot.Glad it's working for you!

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    1. Rian,
      I can see where it would be helpful through radiation or Chemo. Some nights I don't think it is going to work but I keep at it and the next thing I know it is morning.

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  14. It's worth a try & if I'm not satisfied I can always get a refund--oh, wait a minute, it's FREE!!

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    1. Fran,
      Good point. Tell you what, I'll double your money back if not satisfied:))

      Delete
  15. I'm so glad you got some help. I ordered Britbox on my Kindle and started to watch reruns of Keeping Up Appearances. After giggling at all the silliness for a few minutes, I'm out cold. Some mornings, I wake up with five episodes gone by while I was sleeping. Weird but it works for me. When I'm done with all seasons of the show, I will try Julie's free trick.

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    1. Inger,
      Sounds like a fun remedy. Wish my Kindle was a Fire. I would love to watch reruns of As Time Goes By (my favorite British comedy) on Britbox while in bed.

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  16. Thanks for that tip on falling asleep. My wife has trouble dozing off so I'll share this with her.

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    1. Stephen,
      Hope it works as well for her as it did me. Good luck.

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  17. I've known that slowed breathing trick for ages, haven't a clue where I learned it though. It does work, but may take a few nights for your body to recognise it, then after a while just one or two deep slow breaths will have you sleeping.
    If I'm wide awake in the very early hours though, I often don't bother trying to get back to sleep, I'll get coffee and my current book, climb back into bed and read and read and read. If I fall asleep at 5am, it doesn't matter now that I'm not working, I can sleep in until 9 or 10 am. Unless I have to be somewhere, then I'll cut the reading short and get back to sleep.

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    1. River,
      I've had that happen when I've had a really good book to read but my pets want fed, watered and walked so I can't do it often. They don't care if I am sleepy:))

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  18. Thanks, I will give this a try. I can go to sleep at the drop of a hat, but don't stay asleep. This might help. Worth a shot!

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    1. Brig,
      Me too. No trouble at all going to sleep, but wake up after 4 hours. I sure hope this works as well for you as it did me.
      7.5 hours last night. Ahhh.

      Delete
  19. Some nights I can't go to sleep. Other nights I wake up and can't get back to sleep. I will try to remember to try this.

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    1. Linda R,
      Haven't tried it to get to sleep but see no reason why it wouldn't work then also. Hey, the price is right.

      Delete
  20. Plain and simple Patti we are soul mates cause we think much alike. Simple is best. Actually somedays I carry that though that except for expensive cancer curse and the like I'd rather join the Amish and live in the 18th century...:)

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    1. TB,
      It is possible. I know I have the greatest respect and admiration for the Amish. Not sure I could pull it off but would like to try.

      Delete
  21. I always have to get up a time or two at night and go to the bathroom. Ugh. I hate interrupted sleep.
    Btw, I've read that geniuses only need about 4 hours of sleep a night. That counts me out because I need more than that! :)
    Thanks for passing along the tip. If I have trouble getting back to sleep, I'll certainly try this.

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    1. Cheryl,
      I suspect people thinking they were geniuses started that rumor:)) Hope this works for you. Lately, I haven't even been getting up for a potty break. Straight through. YES.

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  22. I have heard that tip before but never tried it. Amazing that it works. I'll have to try it too.

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    1. Barbara,
      If you have one bad night here or there, don't give up. It just seems to get better and better for me. Seven hours and 56 minutes last night with no waking up.

      Delete
  23. WOW...and I will pass this on to my eldest daughter. Magic indeed. Thank both of you.

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    1. Mage,
      Sure hope it works for your daughter. Sleepless nights are not fun.

      Delete
  24. Nothng like a good nights sleep. Glad you are experiencing it and thank you Julie Chen.

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    1. Belva,
      It is one of those things you don't really appreciate till you finally get to enjoy it.

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  25. Sound like it’s worth a try. When I retired my nite owl tendencies expanded — even to all niters, sometimes. Can’t cut that mustard anymore without feeling like a zombie the next day. Also, set me up for medical issues, I’m convinced. Trying to go to bed at a decent hour now. Don’t usually fall asleep right away unless I’ve had lots of physical activity during the day, ideally outside, but don’t do much like that any more.

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    1. joared,
      Sadly when youth leaves us, so does our bounce back. Know what you mean about the activity. Cold rainy days put the kibosh on that.

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  26. I also recommend two different approaches to deal with the awake in the middle of your sleep.

    My paternal grandmother who lived three months shy of 100 with a mind sharp as tack would pull out poetry books when she couldn't sleep. She would put her mind to memorizing long poems. When she had one to memory she would go back to sleep.

    The other method more to my style. Pick a letter of the alphabet and think of all the words that start with that letter. You will be asleep soon enough.

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    1. newwaytowrite,
      Thank you so much for stopping by and commenting and your tips came in handy. My 4-7-8 didn't work the other night so I tried your alphabet trick and it worked perfectly--plus was fun. Thanks for that additional weapon for my sleep tool box.

      Delete

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