| Birds need safe places to nest.... just like | | | | in a cupboard to bring out at night. My Night |
| you do during wakeful nights. You can create | | | | Nest stash stays under my bed in a |
| a safe place to wait, nurture, and renew | | | | blue-and-white flowered hat box. I have all |
| until sleep returns. It's simple: make a | | | | the goodies that soothe me at 3 AM so I don't |
| night Nest.In a Night Nest, you create a | | | | have to gallivant through the house to find |
| soothing sleeping environment. You include a | | | | what I need.Make your Night Nest fit your |
| stash of items that stays by your bed (or | | | | desires and personality. Be sure to |
| wherever you have insomnia). You can reach | | | | include:Basic comfort: Hand lotion, lip balm, |
| for a pen, lip balm, or water without | | | | tissues, water, and cough drops.Soft Light |
| disturbing your relaxed state. Everything is | | | | (which keeps melatonin in your system): Book |
| right at hand to keep the night calm.Let's | | | | light, night pens, a dimmer switch on your |
| start by soothing your sleeping | | | | bedside lamp.Writing and reading: Notebook, |
| environment.Get rid of papers and dirty | | | | magazines, and comforting books--even |
| laundry on the floor (the kids call them | | | | children's books or Calvin and |
| clothes monsters--and they look ominous in | | | | Hobbes.Soothers: A good eyemask, ear plugs, |
| the shadows of night).Straighten your sheets | | | | music, aromatherapy, sexual aids, bolster |
| and blankets before bed. A new quilt might | | | | pillow, and a white noise source (a fan, |
| remind you to let go of the day.Put picture | | | | machine, or CD that sounds like |
| of your favorite nature spot on your | | | | ssshhhhhhhhhhhhhhh.....).You're creating a |
| nightstand.Next, create a stash of comforting | | | | safe place to unwind, relax, renew, and even |
| items to use if you can't fall asleep or wake | | | | sleep.Your Night Nest might not have feathers |
| at night. Do you stay in bed during insomnia? | | | | or twigs, but you can cuddle into the bed and |
| Keep your items in the nightstand or under | | | | your relaxed self during the dark hours. |
| your bed. Do you move to the guest room or | | | | Enjoy your nights! |
| the living room couch? Or hide your goodies | | | | |