The Gift Exchange

It’s 2:14 AM according to the clock on the nightstand and I’m wide awake…again. I lay there quietly  trying to figure out how to get to sleep. Actually, I’ve been trying to fall asleep for hours, but my brain won’t cooperate with me. Over the years I’ve devised many ways to tire my brain out so I can fall asleep easier, but tonight nothing is working. I took a nice long, hot bath before going to bed, completed 3 crossword puzzles, drank a gallon of camomile tea, and even tried the neck massager thingy I got for Christmas a few years back. I lay there and tell myself that if I fall asleep in the next 15 minutes, I’ll still be able to get at least 4 hours of sleep. I pull the pillow over my ears to drown out my husbands snoring, who is in a deep coma next to me and has finally, after 15 years of marriage, become immune to my kicking, jabbing, poking and pushing. I can hear a steady drip-drip-drip from the gutter outside my bedroom window, and the  beating of rain on the roof. I make a mental note to remember to pick up razor blade refills, the ones with the purple strip across the top, not the regular ones. Don’t like those. Oh yeah, and don’t forget that one air freshener refill that smells like the ocean breeze, or is it ocean mist or ocean foam? Ocean something. No wait is it botanical bliss? I give up. I know if I listen hard enough I’m sure I could hear squirrel arguments going on in the trees. I wonder what squirrels argue about anyway? “You’re friends are all nuts!” she screams at him as he slams the door to the treehouse….

And so it goes with insomnia. After much thought and careful consideration, (and a LOT of experimentation) I’ve found several things that have definitely helped me learn to relax. Here are my  favorites.

1.Reading a book is a good idea as long as it’s not a hacker/slasher, serial killer book (for reasons I need not explain!) I find that the more boring the book, the drowsier I become. Therefore, I keep the DVD manual close by just in case…

2.Crossword puzzles, or games that engage the mental faculties are wonderful ways to “work out” the stress of the day or in my case, slow the mind down. The more challenging the better. I subscribe to the New York Times Crossword Omnibus..usually 1 puzzle will completely tire me out in no time!

3.Drinking an herbal tea really does help you relax. Maybe it’s the warm liquid or the soothing steam and aroma or maybe it’s all of the above. There are so many wonderful teas out there to try but make sure you read the label as some of them can contain caffeine.

4.A nice massage..what can I say? I don’t believe I’ll find much disagreement here, but getting those aching shoulders, arms and back massaged is pure heaven. It relaxes me like nothing else can.

5.Invest in the  Aromatherapy Pup we offer here at GiftTree. I personally stick it in the microwave and get it warm & toasty, and then use it like a neck pillow when I get into bed. It’s extremely soft and cuddly and I got one for my granddaughter that she calls Snuggle-pup. We love them!

Whatever your relaxation techniques turn out to be, one thing is certain; they should be simple and easy to do and above all you should thoroughly enjoy them. That’s the whole point of it after all, to find something you enjoy that helps you unwind at the same time. Enjoy!

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