Always needing sleep

I hate bedtime.  My bedtime.  I love that my children have a routine and while they have their ways of dragging it out or prolonging it, it works for the most part.  I do not have a routine I can count on.  I dread the nighttime hours because going to sleep is especially difficult for me.  I remember this being the case as a very young child.  I would creep downstairs hoping to catch my Dad in a friendly mood so he would entertain me for a few minutes rather than shoo me right back up to bed.  Those were actually fond memories- and it isn't until now I realize those were nights like the ones I have now- hard to go to sleep.

Talking to my doctor about my issue of insomnia, especially during pain, came up at a recent appointment.  We discussed some relief for that, which includes adjusting some meds around and will probably have a week or two of adjustment which means I won't be feeling at my best, but the goal in mind is worth it.

We talked about sleep and the things she told me are things I know.  Its things I have learned through having and helping my own children getting on a good sleeping schedule:

1. Make the room a room for sleeping.  Our minds need to be trained that our bedroom is a room for one activity(or two for adults).  Not playing, watching TV, even reading in bed.  If, when trying to go to sleep, you can't.  Get up and leave the room and do something that does not include computer, TV, or other monitor/electronic light.
2. Keep your schedule consistent.  Go to bed and wake up at the same time each day.  If you go to bed late, get up at the same time.  My children are amazing with this rule.  My boy gets up within a half an hour each day.
3. Keep the noise down before bed.  Make your room dark and cool.
4. Establish a specific routine for bed- cues that its time for bed.
5. When you wake up in the morning, get the lights on quickly- this will help you wake up.
6. Do your exercise in the morning.  I am not sure about this one, but I figure if I am getting the rest I really need, I might feel up to it.  At this point I am so tired upon waking up thinking about exercising is insane.  I reserve my exercise for my "me" time at the end of the day.  I need to change this around.
7. Do not nap no matter what. This is, of course, for adults and not children.

So, nothing new learned here.  And even though "doctors orders" are generally easier for me to follow, I still have trouble.  Here is what I finding out with my new rules 
1- my room is probably the least kid friendly room in the house, so I choose to be in this room when not on duty as mom- so only using it for sleep doesn't happen.  2- I have been trying really hard to keep my schedule consistent and I can see its benefits.  3- Once the kids are down, its a pretty easy to keep things quiet and calm.  4- As far as a bedtime routine- I haven't really started this yet, except I am reading more before bed(vs. watching TV and this is helpful).  5- Turning the lights on quickly in the morning is helpful.  6 I am not able to exercise in the morning yet, so I've been exercising mid-day and it hasn't interfered with sleep.  I did a quick exercise routine the other night at about 7:30 PM and was up until after 1- it had to be the exercise.  7- I haven't napped as much since I started this, but I generally lay down with the baby and am tempted to nod off with her at her nap time.  I am working on NOT letting this happen.

I still don't love bedtime- but I don't dread it like before.  I find if I am having trouble going to sleep I will get out of bed, go downstairs and have a snack.  I am usually able to go back up to bed and fall asleep.  This is in contrast to when I would turn on the TV, or go on the computer and then try to go to sleep-- it was pretty hard to do so.  I am limiting my time on the computer and in front of the TV in the evening hours.  This means I don't watch much TV at all anymore.  And I am realizing I did a whole lot of nothing on the computer anyway(except writing, which I just do when I feel like anyway).

I often wonder though how common going-to-sleep issues are?  And upon waking I always feel like I need more rest- no matter how much I just had.  Is this normal?  I don't know.  Whats normal anyway?  But overall there has been improvement and I assume there will only be more as I continue following my rules.