Sleepless In America

My sleep rhythm is not that of a peaceful babe, never has been, got worse after menopause and never returned to an easy time. Exercise helps. Diet some. Vacations and no stress helps, but overall I've never been a great sleeper.

Millions of women during and after menopause suffer sleep deprivation and all too little has been written or discussed about this subject. Few realize that they go through hormone withdrawal equivalent to kicking a heroine habit. This change enters their lives, impacting them, their mates, their families and all too often remains unadvised. Undressed that is, except by the drug companies who have taken insomnia out from under the covers (so to speak) to make a huge business out of selling medications to those so desperate for what once considered a normal aspect of life.

This phenomenon starts early in America. Infants feel parental stress, are fearful not relaxed and don't feel safe enough to slumber. Life's too fast pace overstrikes young children's bio-psycho-neurological systems and we have a nation of ADD, ADHD, hyper sleepless kids whose entire beings are unable to unwind. Childhood for fun is a notion of the past and over programmed and over technologied, kids barely know how to relax, listen to themselves and play. In many ways Orwell's 1984 has come and stayed. Robot like so many of our nation, women and men alike, strive through life losing natural sleep in what has become a "normal" Nightly occurrence. No one wins, except those invested heavily in successful pill popping manufacturers.

Quiet time helps as does reading a book. Taking a quiet walk or having a loving relationship. Time outs deep breathes, yoga and making love are all known as helpful antidotes to our sleep deprived nation. Only too few take time to profit from the very non-activiteis they need. So wound up and sleepless we continue; with sleep labs, sleep doctors and sleep aids taking greater market share.

So dear friend who is also unwillingly awake, I am interested in this phenomenon. I find some small solace in Internet availablity aware that you and I across continents can communicate at any time and distantly touch during those darkest moments before the dawn. We are not alone.