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