Sleep issues are a standard response to grief. Lack of sleep (insomnia) saps your energy, makes it more durable to perform, and tougher to cope. You would like regular and refreshing sleep so as to pass though grief.

Bob Deits, M.Th, writes regarding sleep in his book, "Life After Loss." "There's no substitute for obtaining enough rest while handling grief," he says.

But some sleepless nights will quickly turn into many. In her book, "A way to Go On Living When Someone You Love Dies," author Therese A. Rando, Ph.d. notes that not obtaining enough sleep might cause mental and physical exhaustion and "contribute to your developing disease, and predispose you to unresolved grief."

Mayo Clinic defines insomnia as problems with falling asleep, staying asleep, and having regular or frequent non-restorative sleep. Consistent with "Insomnia," an article on the clinic's Internet website, the symptoms of insomnia embody difficulty in falling asleep, waking up in the dead of night, waking up too early, daytime sleepiness and irritability.

I had all of those symptoms after four loved ones died inside nine months. Stressful thoughts regarding my daughter's will, the probate method, guardianship of my twin grandchildren, clearing out my daughter's house, and putting it up for sale, kept me from falling asleep quickly. Once I finally fell asleep I had disturbing dreams.

I dreamed concerning my daughter when when she was a baby, a toddler, and a high faculty student. I dreamed I was drowning and attempting to stay afloat. I dreamed my loved ones hadn't extremely died which I used to be having bad dream. Crying usually awakened me from sleep. My sleep was so interrupted I felt like I had not slept at all.

Would I ever get another good night's sleep? In line with the Centers for Disease Management, chronic insomnia could result from stress and therefore the fear of being unable to sleep. While I did not have chronic insomnia, I had come close, therefore I took these proactive steps.

1. Fix lighter meals. Eating an excessive amount of within the evening can build you feel uncomfortable and build it tougher to sleep, consistent with Mayo Clinic. My husband and I had little interest in food so I fixed smaller and lighter meals.

2. Watch caffeine consumption. Caffeine will keep you awake. Soda pop typically contains caffeine, but I rarely drink it. However, I like occasional and drink [*fr1]-caf. When dinner I might have one cup of occasional or none.

3. Keep physically active. Though I had been on a walking program, losing four loved ones was such a shock I sat on the couch for weeks. I am more physically active now and sleep better.

4. Have a schedule. "Life When Loss" author Bob Deits thinks grieving individuals need to stay a calendar, have a schedule, eat on time, and set up their evening hours. My husband and I continued to eat at our regular time. When dinner I watched decorating shows or read mysteries.

5. Permission to cry. I gave myself permission to cry any time, any where, and I'm glad I did. Crying released engineered-up tension and created it easier to sleep at night.

Don't place up with insomnia. Taking a few proactive steps can facilitate your get your Zs. See your doctor if insomnia persists.