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200 words, coffee, Diana's Enormous Book of Quotes, dreams, exercise, happy, health, sleep, sleepless, tea, unplug, water, wine
“The amount of sleep required by the average person is five minutes more.” – Wilson Mizener
We read all these articles about the best kind of sleep for optimum health.
They say you need to sleep right through the night.
They tell you that it is normal to wake up in the middle of the night; in fact, chances are this is when you were conceived.
They tell you your bedroom should be completely dark.
Sleep on down pillows.
Sleep on memory-foam pillows.
Don’t watch a scary movie before bed.
Don’t drink coffee after 2PM.
They tell you to unplug your devices by 8pm.
And don’t eat after 6pm.
Don’t exercise at night.
Drink a glass of water before bed.
Don’t drink a glass of water before bed. You’ll wake up in the middle of the night to relieve your bladder.
Do have a glass of wine.
Don’t have a glass of wine.
Drink herbal tea – chamomile.
Drink warm milk with honey.
Do sleep naked. Don’t sleep naked.
So much advice!
But I think Mizener got it right.
The best kind of sleep is five more minutes.
~ DIANA’S ENORMOUS BOOK OF QUOTES ~
What’s your advice for the best sleep?
talktodiana 
I’ve had insomnia for over a decade and have gone through dozens of sleep aids and studies and doctors and well-meaning advice, including nearly everything on your list, the do’s and the don’ts. What helped me the most was to quit my job and then to just stop worrying if I only got two hours per night. The worst that could happen is I die and go to heaven. Now I live, knowing that although 7-8 is ideal, I can live on 4. And it’s okay. Even if I don’t get 5 more minutes.
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Kerbey, I’ve known people that sleep that few hours and have done so their whole lives. Do you feel tired all day? If not, that might be the norm for you… ❤
Diana xo
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Nope, never tired but like a zombie. Unable to sleep but frozen in zombieland. Getting 6 or 7 makes me much more human–and easier to get along with!
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That’s hilarious! Actually, Mizener was close… The VERY best kind of sleep is 2 more hours! 😉
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haha there are some days where I’d absolutely agree with you on this Rachel! ❤
Diana xo
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Love this advice. I love to sleep and I especially love it now that I work from home. I love slowly waking up in the morning, lying in bed 5,15, or 30 minutes more and enjoying the morning as I greet a new day.
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That sounds heavenly! ❤
Diana xo
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Amen to five more minutes!!!
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I soooo agree! ❤
Diana xo
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I could say a lot about sleep for last few months because I ‘ve had to realign my sleep after my injury. I’m off sleeping pills because I ‘m a lot better. I’m seeing a sleep doctor locally at a sleep clinic associated with U of C. There are some techniques and yes, no computer exposure for me. : 4 hrs. Before I sleep.
My emergency medical doctor-sis also stresses no computer screen exposure. Includes iPhones. There have been recent medical studies on problem of blue light that keeps the brain too stimulated.
Mother to check doctor specialist or library for book by Judith Davidson ” Sink into sleep”. She is in Kingston and works with sleep disorders. Written for layperson.
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That all makes sense to me Jean. I’m glad you’re off sleeping pills. I don’t think one really gets a proper sleep with them anyway. ❤
Diana xo
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I don’t set my alarm every day but when I have to I always give myself that extra five minutes… it is the best!
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Problem is, I’d want another 5 minutes RMW! 😉
Diana xo
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I don’t need an alarm clock so much anymore, Diana. Ellie B aka Dogamous Pyle wakes me up every day the moment the sun rises. She wants to go out in the backyard to, you know!
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Oh so the joy of summer and longer daylight hours is rewarded by getting up really early Mark. Yikes. Ah but Ellie B is worth it. ❤
Diana xo
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Yes, she’s a peach. And I’m off to an early start every day in the summer, Diana. 🙂
By the way, I was glad to read that you get your sleep. To not sleep is no fun. I had a tough stretch after my layoff but now am pretty much a log from head down to sun-up.
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You are so right… so much advise all the time… Getting stressed out about sleep is the worst and you won’t get any. So I think just relax is the best advise.
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Yes you are so right Ute! Find a way to de-stress and hopefully get a good night’s sleep. ❤
Diana xo
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Diana we surely do live in a world where advice comes at us from all angles. I guess we take what we need and forget the rest. I have never been a great sleeper. i wake at the drop of a pin. So when I get a deep sleep it feels extra grand to me. I love that quote. As I age I always feel like I could do with a few minutes more sleep.
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Well, here’s to you having a deep sleep that lasts a few minutes longer Kath! ❤
Diana xo
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“What’s your advice for the best sleep?”
As with many things in life: Relax. And just do it. And don’t get too stressed out if, once in a while, you can’t. No one bats 1.000!
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For the most part, I get enough sleep Smitty.
For those who don’t, it seems to become a spiral of failure and some people just can’t relax. ❤
Diana xo
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Relaxation can be learned! 🙂
(Not to, in any way, belittle those with real sleep disorders.)
It’s similar with baseball players who go on a skid. Each time they strike out again, it makes them feel worse and try harder. As you say, a spiral.
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I’m going to send you to my mom’s house so you can teach her Smitty – she needs some good sleep! ❤
Diana xo
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Ha-ha, this does not apply to me because I have not used an alarm clock (except when I have a plane to catch) for well over twenty years so I always wake at just the right time, with just enough sleep, and I am also never late waking up because after the first two weeks, my body has always woken me at just the right time. It is amazing how that works, but it does. So my advice is to throw away the alarm clock!
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Ha! That’s the best advice ever, Elizabeth! Somehow I think a lot of people would be late for work though… ❤
Diana xo
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Sleep never cooperates for me. When I can sleep late, I wake up early. Or, I wake up in the middle of the night. But if I did get a full night’s rest and could sleep as late as I wanted … you’re right, Diana, I’d still want 5 minutes more. 😉
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I woke up at 5AM today, on Sunday for Pete’s sake – I totally understand what you’re saying Judy. ❤
Diana xo
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Bloody hell yes, we all have those times when we want just a tad more sleep
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Haha! Ain’t that the truth Jo-Anne! ❤
Diana xo
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In winter, 5mins more is always what you wish for! 🙂 Sleep well.
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That’s right – you’re having winter right now Karen. We’re in summer but yesterday we had hail and the temps dropped to the low teens! ❤
Diana xo
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I think we all lose a bit of sleep worrying about whether we’re getting enough sleep. ☺
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haha touché Van! ❤
Diana xo
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The best kind of sleep is to wake up to a small puppy licking your face! 🙂
and I want to sleep in that bed in your photo. Yummy!
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Especially your puppy Louise!
Isn’t it a great photo? I want to sleep in that bed too! ❤
Diana xo
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our paraphrase of sleep is stolen from Tolkien… “Sleep the sleep of the content, if logs can be content”
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Bill I like that paraphrase! ❤
Diana xo
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To sleep until I wake up on my own. Without alarm clocks. THAT is the best. 🙂
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Especially when you feel refreshed and ready and excited to take on your day Colleen! ❤
Diana xo
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Exactly. And it’s always easier to wake up when an alarm isn’t screaming at you. 😉
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Especially the annoying alarm on my Blackberry!
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I have chimes now….. on my alarm. 🙂
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Nice! I’d like the sound of the ocean lapping on the shore Colleen, but that probably wouldn’t get me out of bed. 😉
Diana xo
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Oh Diana, I’m with you. I would hear that and keep on sleeping!
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yes I am so with you – and the kind when you wake up in the morning and realise you can just stay in bed, turn over and sleep for another hour
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Love when that happens Jensine! ❤
Diana xo
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me too
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I think the real trick is getting up when you WANT to, not when you HAVE to!
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Yes, agreed! I still set my alarm though because if I sleep more than eight hours, it also has a negative affect on me Ian. ❤
Diana xo
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Loved this. Especially the close: The best kind of sleep is five more minutes.
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Isn’t that the common denominator for us all; especially during the work week David? Ironically, I woke up at 5 am today. Why? It’s Sunday! ❤
Diana xo
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🙂 Smiling.
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My best advice for everything is to read your best advice, Diana!
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You’re such a sweetheart Ann! ❤
Diana xo
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It takes one to know one, Diana! ❤
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haha! T’is true my friend!
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