24 Comments
User's avatar
Charlotte Pendragon's avatar

I prefer a very small pillow, because I feel as if smothered by any larger ones. We bought My Pillows and after using very expensive pillows these a

are the best for both of ever! I sleep so much better using one. They come in a travel size so I have three and rotate them through the night and use one between my knees. They aren’t expensive, so I highly recommend trying one out! 😴 💤 Thanks Cori!

Expand full comment
Cori Bren's avatar

I’ll have to try those! Thanks for the tip Charlotte. And thanks for reading.

Expand full comment
Charlotte Pendragon's avatar

I think you’ll like it! I don’t spent a night away from home without it now! Their towels are excellent too!

Expand full comment
Cori Bren's avatar

That’s great to hear I’m looking for some nice yellow towels.

Expand full comment
Kristi Keller 🇨🇦's avatar

I sleep like the dead nowadays. Ever since I got on prescribed migraine meds. I'm like Cinderella only I don't turn into a pumpkin, my mess turn me into a brick 😆

I'm up at the same time 7 days a week because I have a dog. First thing we do is walk every morning at 730 🌄 I also sleep/live in the basement now because I'm hot-flashing like it's my job lol. Nice and cool down here.

And I use a white noise machine (fan sound) when I sleep. This is because I live on the edge of a forest and you wouldn't believe how intrusive bird sounds can be at 5 a.m. 🐦

Expand full comment
Cori Bren's avatar

Sounds like this works awesome for you. What I’ve seen of modern sleep research states that solving insomnia requires waking up consistently the opposite of what people think. Glad your meds work. Benadryl does that to me but I don’t stay asleep. I never mentioned sleep aids but when I was low on magnesium, supplements made my sleep even better.✌️

Expand full comment
Kristi Keller 🇨🇦's avatar

Yah Magnesium is a game changer as well. I take that and prescription migraine medication daily.

Expand full comment
Philip Mollica's avatar

I love all your suggestions, Bren, and would like to add what works for me.

Retirement freedom.

I sleep when I'm tired. I get up when I wake up. 24 hours a day. Sometimes that means napping at 4pm, and getting up at 11pm for a few hours until I'm tired again. Schedules are good, but freedom and following the body's normal cycles is exquisite.

I never schedule appointments before 10am.

I do what I want, when I want, how I want.

And NOTHING is worth worrying about. When I find myself doing so, I remind myself that it has never solved anything. If it's about a loved one, their choices are their own. I will help when possible, but I do not internalize it.

Some people need structure, and that's great.

Learning to recognize and honor natural cycles is an art and takes practice. The rewards of such an acumen are life-changing.

And everything you said.

Expand full comment
Cori Bren's avatar

Lol that sounds contrary to what I said and that’s awesome. Everyone should do what works for them and this is what saved me from insanity. I’m semi-retired now and I don’t have any schedule 4 days a week except for sleep. My body is trained for my nighttime routine so it comes naturally especially since I’m a morning person. Also I didn’t mention I worked overnight for almost a year and it kilt my soul. I am NOT a good day sleeper. I also don’t nap because I end up sleeping 3+ hours and wake up mentally intoxicated, literally if I drove a car I’d be pulled over for drunk driving. Thank you for sharing!

Expand full comment
Philip Mollica's avatar

there is nothing wrong with structure.

different people respond to different things.

after a 30 year IT career, it took considerable work to allow myself to relax.

I hope you don't see my offering as contrary to yours.

your points are all valid.

Expand full comment
Cori Bren's avatar

I don’t see it that way at all. You’ve highlighted that one size doesn’t fit all and that would be a great disclaimer for the post

Expand full comment
Leaf and Stream's avatar

You were right about the cult/religious aspect. Slightly scary :) Seriously though, I absolutely agree with the exercise every morning in the fresh air, and yes to the vit D - denying properties of sunscreen. Factor 50 now seems to be the accepted "norm", which seems ridiculous when I recall the decades when I grew up. If anyone used it at all, it would factor 30 at the absolute most, and really factor 10 would be the usual "precaution". As for my evening routine, you would not approve, I fear. A couple of ales and some peanuts, followed by a late supper, then bed with a book. Seems to work for me as I am nodding within a couple of pages. I am implacable on the importance of regular meals at the same time each day as far as possible. A huge breakfast of porridge, nuts, seeds, fruits (whatever I have), made on whole milk. Then toast with home-made soda bread (I am a paddy by birth, so what else?!), with Kerrygold butter - absolutely no processed spread gunk. Then always lunch at 13.00, which is often home-made veg soup and maybe a sandwich; and dinner late-ish at 21.00. "You are what you eat" is a great motto.

Expand full comment
Cori Bren's avatar

Thank you for reading. I should have mentioned that something else might work as far as routines, as long as there is a routine. Back in the day I read in bed. I got outta the habit and now my warm tone, low-light bulbs make it a bit of a strain. Also I fell out with God during the pandemic so those last few breaths I take before la la land are for His word as I recite the verses I memorized during lent a few years ago to make my way back. I read sometimes but if I fall asleep reading, no verses. Were simple people at heart aren’t we?All that whole food you’re eating sounds amazing I’m not quite there yet. Making my own bread is next on my list of adjustments. Do you mind my mentioning you in my next post in this series How to Eat an Elephant? It’s about bite sized things that make a huge difference to health.

Expand full comment
Leaf and Stream's avatar

Haha that sounds like a post to look forward to with that title! And yes, of course you can mention, defame, libel etc to your heart's content. I look forward to it LOL.

Expand full comment
Leaf and Stream's avatar

Oh.....and it's good to hear you are making peace again with The Big Man Upstairs. Strangely enough it was during the covid "thing" that I seemed to have my belief sort of renewed, or at least woken up from its comfortable slumber, so to speak.

Expand full comment
Cori Bren's avatar

Mysterious ways indeed🙏

Expand full comment
Wendy Elizabeth Williams's avatar

Whew!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Expand full comment
Craving Ratio's avatar

All great tips! I didn't see work yourself to death on there though.

Expand full comment
Good Humor by CK Steefel's avatar

Great list. I really want to know hubby’s western story. Hehe.

Expand full comment
Cori Bren's avatar

What a great point. I’ll get it from him and publish as a guest post.

Expand full comment
Paul McCutchen's avatar

Apparently, since I retired, I am doing everything wrong. Maybe I will try a few of them.

Expand full comment
Cori Bren's avatar

I highly encourage it. The only times I’m sleep deprived now are - full moons sometimes somehow penetrate my cave of gloom, heartburn if I eat too late, and stress if I fail to wipe my brain with comedy or meditation before bed. Great sleep changed my personality and my life. Happy zzzzzzz’s to ya.

Expand full comment
Tara Deacon's avatar

Some really great suggestions Cori will definitely check out a few i haven't tried 💓💓💓 thanks for the recommendations!!

Expand full comment
Cori Bren's avatar

Thank you for reading. It’s a long read compared to a lot of my work but a life’s work for great sleep apparently takes 9 minutes to share. Lol. Sweet dreams 😴

Expand full comment