Seniors Sleep Serenity

SENIORS SLEEP SERENITY
© ARC - Sunday, December 8, 2019

I used to do some of the following before attack December 15, 2005.
However, it was after two month coma that I realized how blessed I was to know what to do so miracle blessed saved life could recover, regenerate/renew.
I am now 78: blind in one eye. According to the initial prognosis fourteen years ago, I was destined to live out `few remaining years’ in convalescent home. Instead here I am, walking normally one half to one mile a day, line dancing, writing, working `behind the scenes’ with nonprofit I founded five decades ago.
I have been blessed on my below poverty combined SS/SSI income to learn the phenomenal mental stimulating/social game of Bridge. I play regularly with seniors who celebrate advanced age juxtaposed with lamenting trials that befall each one of us.
We all joke and shake our heads in bewilderment as we realize we go in one room for something and halfway there have no clue what for. We are on high alert not to repeat medication that we may have taken less than three minutes prior then forgot; and/or dangerous habits like leaving stove gas burners lit.
Sleep, however, is biggest bugaboo. I am plagued with nightmares ala posttraumatic stress wherein anything can `trigger’ – especially sight of a kitchen knife. The normal disturbance is `racing minds’ that will not turn off.
The following helpful psychological and experiential experiences have helped me heal, function, renew, and get a good nights sleep.
Plan your following day the morning before. Having your `mind’ ready to ease into slumber is one of the biggest factors to cultivate rest. Turn radio to classical station in whisper volume. Turn lights off except for bathroom needs night light. Use fan on low, coupled with humidifier, to keep room cool and air circulating so that breathing is easier. These are crucial for me as stab wounds punctured my face and throat and deviated septum diminishes ability to breathe through nose. The consequence is mouth breathing resulting in ongoing dryness necessitating on the hour water to quench thirst followed by bathroom requirements. This though resulted in unexpected blessings for advanced age affliction is muscle cramps. By constant night use of legs, walking barefoot, strain alleviated. This also interrupts nightmares due to PTSD and sleep apnea.
I sleep on cotton sheet covered couch made firm by foam under-layers. I switch sides often. This also gives comforting `hold’ feeling enveloped by slim cotton coverings enabling therapeutic swaddling weight feeling yet keeping feet uncovered reinforcing freedom of movement, psychological flight, if necessary.
I use nature sound machine: thunderstorm, rain, ocean, singing rain forest, babbling brook, wind…or ALEXA: `Play Thunderstorm’ after each bathroom visit: has the ability to call 911, daughter or son if in need.
Close your eyes `tuning’ into the Magic, Moments, and Memory kaleidoscope of your life featuring one for ever salient image of Survival, Security, Symbiosis, Sense Stimulation, Self Actualization, Self Esteem, Synthesis.
Following are my pictures that were carefully selected, revolve in endless loop repeatedly around a spiritual blessing prayer: Thank you Father, Jesus, Holy Spirit for YOUR WILL/WAY – increasing your Holy Response in me, family, friends, neighbors, associates, connections, citizens, peers, universal kith & kin.
Survival: Walking in beautiful tree lined Neighborhood Park.
Security: Safe with son, in daughter’s beautiful home with emotional support animals: canine dog, feline cats.
Symbiosis: Family/Friend holy/holiday celebrations.
Sense-Stimulation: Reading, TV, Movie, TED, Playing Bridge, Dancing.
Self-Actualization: Writing, Stage Presentations, and In Vivo: phone, email, one on one – group caring/sharing – giving to others.
Self-Esteem: Mirror Reflection Smiling/Part of Circular Folk Dance.
Synthesis: Rainbow, Nature, Birds, Plants, Animals, Heaven Home.
Rainbow Collage is coupled with favorite pictures of family members, loved ones, close friends, good neighbors, divine inspirational holy saints/souls.###