Another restless night for me (thanks to my hot apartment, the bar goers outside at all hours, and the NYC garbage truck outside my apartment at 5am) and I am feeling exhausted.  In between my classes I can barely keep awake and I'm counting the minutes until I walk out the door to head home to recharge before seeing a show tonight.  Count it be.....

Obstructive sleep disorder?? Check out this new device (looking almost like a mouth guard) which helps to keep your jaw from moving back into a position which would restrict your air flow, causing you to wake up while inhibiting REM sleep -- important for keeping you healthy.  Impaired sleeping can cause:

• High blood pressure
• Depression
• Diabetes 
• Stroke.... and the list goes on.   

If it's not a sleep disorder.... how can I help sleep better anyway?

Some nice tips from the Mayo Clinic: 

• Create a bedtime ritual (preferably in dim lights) of listening to soft music, reading, taking a bath, etc. 
• Get on a schedule.  This seems IMPOSSIBLE for holidays and weekends, but I do know how effective it can be to regulate your body's natural cycle. 
• Nicotine, alcohol, caffeine are no good before bed!  
• If you can't fall asleep after a while, go do something, then try again -- it's not worth the stress and agonizing feelings of waiting. 
• Get comfy!  Cool, dark, and quiet are a great place to start, then consider your sheets, pillow, and mattress. 

Tomorrow morning (IT'S SATURDAY!) I'm already planning for a HUGE sleep in so I'll try to use some of these to get me ready for it! Cool, dark, quiet.... here I come!