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Imagine taking on all the responsibilities of a military spouse while struggling to get even a few hours of rest a night. Unfortunately, the additional stress makes insomnia a common problem among military spouses during deployment.
Insomnia is an all to common problem for military spouses during deployment.
Because the sleeplessness experienced by military spouses during deployment can be caused by a number of different things, there are several ways to combat it depending on why you think you’re losing sleep. Check out these tips to help you get a good night’s sleep during deployment and wake up ready to tackle even the busiest day.
Safety can become a big concern for military spouses staying on their own or with children during deployment. Rather than tossing and turning all night wondering if you’ve double-checked all of the locks, consider adopting a dog. Not only will the fun companionship be great to take the family’s mind off deployment, but an alert pet can help you rest easier at night. If a pet isn’t an option due to allergies or living restrictions but you’re still worried about safety, look into security systems. There is a wide range of security products to fit any budget that will help you feel safer.
Limiting your caffeinated beverages to only a couple in the morning can help you feel relaxed and ready for bed at night.
Sometimes not being able to get enough sleep can turn into a vicious cycle. The caffeine you drink to wake up after a bad night can be the same caffeine keeping you buzzed at night. Cutting off caffeine cold turkey can be difficult and cause headaches, so try simply drinking one or two less caffeinated drinks a day and make sure to have them before the afternoon and never in the evening.
Your body’s sleep schedule is in constant regulation by two main hormones. Serotonin helps you feel positive and energized while melatonin regulates a healthy sleep cycle. If you feel your circadian rhythm is out of whack, check out melatonin supplements that can help get back into a set sleep schedule. Melatonin is available at a variety of drug and supplement stores and shouldn’t cost much more than a normal bottle of multivitamins.
Sometimes it seems the hardest part of getting a good night’s sleep during deployment is learning to sleep in your bed alone. The bedroom is a very intimate space for a couple and going for months alone can cause serious insomnia. While many spouses may find themselves sleeping on the couch more often than they’d like, consider moving to the guest bedroom or somewhere a little more comfortable to get sleep where you won’t be surrounded by things reminding you of your loved one’s absence.
Taking a minute to clear your mind each day can ease the worries keeping you up at night.
One of the biggest things holding military spouses and most of the country back from having a good night’s rest is stress. Running through all of the things you’ve got to get through the next day can keep you up for hours. Right before you’re ready for bed, try sitting down somewhere you won’t be disturbed and clearing your mind of those worries. Stopping your racing mind can be difficult, but setting an attainable schedule for the next day can calm your nerves and give you a solid plan of how to get things accomplished the next day too.
Identifying if your sleeplessness is caused by safety concerns, too much caffeine, avoiding your bed or just plain stress can point you in the right direction as to how to solve it and get back into the habit of getting good rest.
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