DO YOU SLEEP WELL?

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXIX, Issue 21224, 2 July 1932, Page 7 (Supplement)

DO YOU SLEEP WELL?

Sleeplessness can often be relieved by timple measures available in tho home (wntes a doctor in an exchange). Try to find out what is giving rise to your insomnia. Apart from some organic trouble, such a3 heart disea.se or high blood pressure, or some physical pain or distress cali.ng for medical attention, common causes of "insomnia are flatulence »nd indigestion, constipation, and anxiety of any nata.-e.

A purge taken before tho mid-day meal will usually ease an over-loaded bowel by nightfall. But it is better to prevent constipation by tho judicious use of light morning salines. flatulence may be relieved by an alkaline carminative draught, such as a halftea3poonful of bi-carbonate of soda at bedtime. It should be swallowed dry and washed down with a wineglass of tepid water. Those who have digestive weakness ileep best on their right side. They must •void heavy and late suppers, including aerated drinks, tea, or coffee. It is inadvisable to do supper, as tn •mpty stomach is not conducive to sleep. The supper, however, should bo light, and should be taken at least three hours More retiring. . Good last-thing snacks comprise warm soup, cocoa, arrowroot, W not gruel. Weak alcohol is sleepinducing, but it is unwise to make a habit of such a nightcap. Hot milk is a flatulent drink, but it suits many people. Sleep on a fairly hard bed. A too d°wny bed i:j as bad as a too-sagging one. A spring mattress is best. The bedclothes should be of medium weight, Except in cases of heart disease or fp blood pressure, the lower the pillow the better. A " hop " pillow is claimed to he most lie'pful to sleep. Tho bedroom 'hould be well ventilated, with one or ®ore windows partly open, taking care, however, that the bed is not exposed to fraught. There seems to bo some virtue ja the belief that sleep is easier if the bed is placed due north or south. A hot bath taken just before. turning 5n is a great help to sleep. Never let ®°ld feet keep you, awake. If you cannot them by dipping them into lukewarm water and rubbing them wn't be ashamed to indulge in a rubber hot-water bottle. ' Tho average adult »Ns at least .eight hours' sleep. Ohildfen require more.;