Friday, January 04, 2013

Friday Loose Bloggers Consortium: Relaxation

It's a good thing that this is a "loose" consortium, because I can never seem to get my post written at the right  time.  :)  Part of that is because I keep forgetting the day of the week.  Seeing everyone's posts on my follow list reminds me...

When I was a child, I had this thing I would do where I would relax every part of my body while I was trying to fall asleep.  I would start at my toes, and work my way up.  I would shift myself if needed to make sure that I was as totally comfortable as possible.  I think that developed a good skill in me, because even as an adult, if I focus my mind on a certain part of my body, I can usually relax it.  But here in China there is a kink in my method.  The beds here in China are VERY firm.  Actually, most of them feel like you are sleeping on the floor.  The bed I sleep on here is a tiny bit more comfortable than the floor, but not much.  We found a comforter blanket in the house and put that underneath us, so now it is more tolerable.  The kids have put blankets and pads under them too.  I've been here 5 months, and I'm just now starting to get used to the bed, but I'll be honest, it's still not comfortable.

The hard part about relaxing my body now is that everything aches from sleeping on the hard bed.  Surprisingly, my hips don't hurt as much as my shoulders and neck.  We have tried to find a pad to buy, but they just don't sell anything that would even remotely help.  But I do think with time we will become more accustom.

Actually though, I don't think my biggest problem is not enough relaxation.  I think my biggest problem is too much relaxation.  I took a friend to get a massage the other day.  The masseuse repeatedly told her that she sits too much and doesn't get enough exercise.  I do think that if my muscles were stronger, the beds wouldn't hurt so much.  Hmmm...maybe this should have been a "new year resolutions" post.

I wonder if the other consortium members are able to relax.  Check out their posts this week:
RummuserAnuAshkokGaelikkaGrannymarPadmumMagpie11, andAkanksha,Will KnotMaria the Silver FoxAnkiNema Noor Paul Plain Joe, and RohitBlack watertownThe Old Fossil, our newest member MAXI! and last, but not least SHACKMAN! :)

5 comments:

Rummuser said...

Way back in 1976, I was advised to change over to sleeping on hard beds to prevent recurrence of a slipped disc in my spine. Since then, even in hotels, I ask for a board to be put beneath the mattress. By and large, just about everyone that has heard my story have shifted to hard beds to good effect.

While initially it may be tough to get used to that, the benefits far outweigh the discomfort experienced the first few weeks.

You are also right in that inadequate activity could affect sleep patterns. I am willing to bet however that before long you will be sleeping like a baby!

Grannymar said...

My old bones like a little softness under them at night. The bed is firm but with a good layer of padding and the deep mattress has a warm and a cool side to it - one good way to make me turn it over at least once a year. ;)

All I need now is to re-learn how to sleep for at least 5 consecutive hours.

Maria said...

I have an old mattress that sags in the middle and rolls Bob and me closer together at night. Not a bad deal.
For me, exercise keeps the muscle tone up and the pain at bay. As Grannynar says getting consecutive sleep is the problem.

Maxi said...

You have my sympathy, D. My mattress is firm but not hard, that would make me so uncomfortable. Hope you get used to it soon.
Blessings ~ Maxi

Amber said...

Next time you go back to the states by a queen (or king) size air mattress, it will fit compactly in your luggage and you can blow it up a little (not all the way) and put it under your sheet, I think that would provide a lot of relief in an inexpensive and easily packable way.