Dear Sarah
I assume you mean that lately, you are having trouble sleeping. (Not that you are sleeping late!)
It's no big deal if you are having trouble sleeping every once in a while. Now and then, every one has a bad night. But if this is happening a lot then something needs to be done about it. Try the things I recommend below first. If they don't work, then go and see a doctor.
Here's my advice:
- Get plenty of exercise. If you are tired your body usually make sure you get plenty of sleep.
- Don't watch exciting stuff on television immediately before you go to
- bed. Likewise, don't play computer games before bed.
- Drink some warm milk before bed.
- Don't drink anything with caffeine in it after your evening meal. Coffee or coke will tend to keep you awake for hours after you have drunk it.
- Most importantly, don't get too hot in bed. If you can, keep a window open for fresh air and have a couple of blankets on your bed rather than a doona. (Of course it's easier for people in cool climates to be cool at night than for people in hot climates. But if you give your body a chance to get used to it, most people can sleep well, no matter what the weather.)
- If the weather is cold, still don't use an electric blanket or, preferrably, even a hot water bottle. If your feet are too cold then heat a towel on a towel rail or in a microwave (check with your parents first) then put it on your feet when you get into bed. It will keep them warm while the rest of your body heats up the bed. But by then the towel will have cooled off and won't over-heat you later in the night.
What else?
- Don't worry about going to sleep straight away. If you still feel wide awake then think calm thoughts, imagine peaceful things, have some quiet music on a tape or CD...you'll nod off sooner or later.
- And remember that bed is for sleep. Go at the same time every night (when possible) and look forward to it.
Oh, yes...and try to have enough sleep. Most kids need heaps of sleep. Even adults need up to ten hours a night! (Which means I'm permanently sleep-deprived, like most doctors.)
Yours sincerely