DR. CORAL ARVON: Hi, my name is Doctor Coral Arvon. I'm a licensed clinical psychotherapist with Arvon and Associates in Counseling in Aventura, Florida. How to get a better night's sleep? The first thing I suggest is put your kids to bed early. You're going to want time for yourself, for you and you spouse to have quiet time, alone time. You might take your kids out and get them all exercised and pooped, so that they will sleep. Now when it comes time for you getting rest, if you have thoughts that are going on in your mind and you can't stop them, take a few minutes, write down the thoughts and tell yourself you'll worry about them the next day. Try not to drink liquid an hour before you go to bed and try not to eat a meal for at least four hours, so your body can digest it and it won't disrupt your sleep. As far as exercise goes, you can do that an hour before. Your body will be ready, your body will be active and your body will be ready to go to sleep too. Keeping on a schedule will definitely help. Going to bed the same time every night helps promote better sleep patterns. Do not take sleeping pills because they become addictive and then you need more and more and more. If you do have a problem, you could go to your doctor and get suggestions, but you might try yoga, you might try meditating and having some of that quiet time for yourself. Before going to sleep, why don't you give your husband a massage and then he gives you one? Try a hot Jacuzzi or a steam or sauna. These are all ways to promote relaxation. Five things to remember about getting a good night's sleep are: one, don't drink anything before you go to sleep; two, eat four hours before you got to sleep; three, make sure your kids are sleeping so that you have more time; four, how about making time with your husband to give each other a massage or take a steam or a shower together; and five, breathe, meditate--maybe do some yoga and you will sleep well.
