BRYAN, Texas (KBTX) - A nurse practitioner at St. Joseph Health emphasizes the importance of using a sleep diary as an initial approach to managing insomnia before considering medication. D’Ann Leigh shared insights on this method during a segment of the St. Joseph Health Check series focused on sleep.
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Leigh explained that the sleep diary, recommended by the CDC, helps assess a patient's habits and environment related to insomnia. It allows healthcare providers to evaluate lifestyle factors before turning to medications. "Before we go with medication, let’s look at what’s going on with you," Leigh stated.
She noted that women often face greater challenges with sleep due to family responsibilities. "They’re waking mom up. Mom has all these things going on in her head. If she doesn’t sleep, how does she take care of the kids?" Leigh said. Men also experience insomnia and are encouraged to monitor their sleep patterns.
The sleep diary enables users to track various habits, including bedtime, food intake in the evening, and consumption of caffeine and alcohol. Leigh mentioned that individuals should also note how they unwind after work, as well as relaxation practices like taking a bath or using a dark room with candles.
Addressing nighttime awakenings, Leigh suggested, "Sometimes maybe just getting out of bed and going and doing something and then coming back instead of just laying there and staring at the ceiling." She also recommended practices like meditation or yoga to help individuals relax before returning to sleep.