Mr. Fleez' Agony Session #10: Suggestions for the Sleepless.

Dear Mr. Fleez,

I lay in bed at night thinking about things that happened years ago. These things have no impact on my life now, but I still bash myself over them. What can I do to settle my mind and rest at night?

Yours Purringly,

Restless.


Dear Restless,

Firstly, I'd like to assure you that you're not alone. What you've described is something that many humans experience. It's often accompanied by a sense of helplessness, excessive (and generally unrealistic) feelings of guilt, or a lack of confidence in one's self. Such disruptive, negative thinking is indicative of depression, and in some cases can be symptomatic of Post Traumatic Stress Disorder or Bipolar Disorder.

Since I'm a housecat and not a psychiatrist, I can't counsel you on how to diagnose or treat depression or other mental illnesses. If your problem is serious and persistent, you should seek professional advice soon. Nevertheless, if there's one area in which cats excel, it's sleep. Therefore, as a feline, I'm well within my rights to offer a few pointers on getting a better night's sleep, which, in turn, may help you in the long run.

• Get on a schedule. Sleeping and waking at the same time each day will help your mind and body recognise when it's time to stop and rest. Unfortunately, this means no sleeping in on days off, as it disrupts a body's schedule. (It may also cause tardiness in feline feedings, therefore subjecting you to a chomp on the toe, which is of itself disruptive to sleep.)
• Relaxing before bed is always a good idea. This means putting away the video games and turning off the TV. Contrary to human belief, playing video games or watching the television are not prime relaxation activities. They are designed to stimulate the mind, not relax it. Engaging in stimulating activities before bed is likely to keep you awake.
• Exercise daily, but not before bed. It's a fact that those who live a sedentary life have more difficulty sleeping. Beginning an exercise routine can help you burn off excess energy and manage stress, but if you're active too late in the day, it may be difficult to unwind by bedtime.
• Don't lie about awake. If you can't sleep, don't toss around worrying or rehashing old mistakes, failures, or wounds. Read a book (page turners aren't recommended,) start a journal, or engage in another relaxing activity until you feel tired enough to sleep.
• Of course, this one may seem a rather pointless tip, but it's one that humans often overlook: Go to bed. When you are tired, don't keep working, watching, or playing. When your body says it's time to sleep, go to bed. Working through or fighting against your sleepiness may cause you to become wakeful, wired, or in more sever situations, manic. Once you've reached your so-called second wind you're less likely to fall asleep. Moreover, going to bed later will disrupt your schedule and cause a recurrence of sleeplessness.

Remember, Restless, no one suggestion will magically cure insomnia. A good sleep routine is something that must be worked at. It's highly individualised, and in some cases may require one to seek professional advice. Whatever your situation, however, sleep is vital, and the lack of it should not be looked on lightly.

Yours Purringly,

W.C. Humphries II (Mr. Fleez for short.)

READERS REMEMBER! You may now ask Mr. Fleez for his jaded opinion* on your personal situations. Please send your enquiries to: housecatwisdom@yahoo.co.uk.

*DISCLAIMER: By contacting Housecat Wisdom you're asking a housecat for his personal opinion. If you require serious advice, please, write Ann Landers, Dear Abby, or consult a professional psychiatrist.