April 5, 2017, by Jack Neely – Soldiers are well-known for their unmatched braveness when it comes to facing an adversary. They spend days and even months in the battlefield, and never abort their mission unless there is a serious threat to the unit. While soldiers might be warriors on the battlefield, they tend to face one major challenge when they go back home: sleeping.
How to Sleep Better When You Return from Deployment
Every soldier has their own problem that makes them have sleepless nights after returning from deployment. Nonetheless, the common causes of insomnia after returning from war include alcohol abuse, change of environment, chronic pain from injuries, as well as nightmares. So how can you solve this?
The cause of sleep disorder of a solder will determine what approach they should take to solve it. Regardless of the cause, here are some tips to help you sleep better after returning from war:
1. Make the Room Sleepable
One major factor that affects the sleepiness of a soldier is when the surrounding is not quite enough. Some army men might relate the slightest noise to what they heard in the battlefield. The sleeping environment must be as quiet as possible for you to sleep peacefully.
Whether you want to take a siesta during the day or you are sleeping at night after a long day, the room should be quiet. Sleeping in a quiet environment allows the mind to refresh, and you will wake up feeling energized.
Other than making the bedroom quiet enough, ensure that it is dark as well whenever you want to sleep. Your body will naturally switch into a sleeping mode when you try sleeping in a totally dark room. Light beams can affect your sleep patterns even when you have your eyes closed.
2. Reduce the Alcohol Intake
A lot of people misconceive that alcohol will give them a better sleep. Unfortunately, too much alcohol will disrupt your normal sleeping pattern. If you always sleep without waking up in the middle of the night, excess alcohol might change everything.
It has been studied that taking a lot of intoxicated drink might not only give you a serious headache, but it will also force you to wake up at night. This will then make you restless all night long, and even when you wake up in the morning.
3. Book an Appointment with a Vet Specialist/Therapist/Doctor
Too many soldiers have nightmares and bad memories after returning from deployment. In this case, they will have sleepless nights, even when they try sleeping in a quiet and dark room. When this happens, the best thing to do is talk to a specialist.
You can either visit your doctor, therapist, or go to your local Vet Center. Here, you will receive assistance to help you manage your bad memories and nightmares. The therapies offered can help you have a better sleep in the long run.
4. Exercise Frequently
Workouts are highly-recommended for soldiers since it helps them to maintain their fitness at all times. Other than that, physical exercises can also help to get rid of the body soreness that many soldiers experience.
Some stretches, jogging, and running can flex your muscles and allow you to have a comfortable rest. As you exercise, remember to do it after getting out of bed in the morning and throughout the day. However, do not exercise when you are about to sleep. This might also affect your sleep pattern at night.
5. Reduce the Caffeine/Nicotine Intake
Apart from the intoxicating drinks, smoking and too much coffee will give you sleepless nights. Ideally, take coffee in the morning and in between the day, but not at night. Also, quit smoking cigarette for the sake of healthy lungs and a good night sleep. You may invest in quality e-cigarettes if you are an addict.
6. Don’t Rely on Medication
While some medications can help to relieve your stress and give you a relaxing mood, they might ruin your health in the long run. Instead, try sticking to your regular sleep schedule and let your body adjust naturally. Some medication will take long to kick into your system, which will only keep you awake for hours.
7. Visit a Religious/Spiritual Adviser
For the religious soldiers out there, you know the effect of visiting your spiritual adviser whenever you have sleepless nights. Some might advise you to meditate regularly so that you can strengthen your spiritual being and overcome the nightmares. They can also pray with you, which can help you in the end.
Conclusion
It is normal to have sleepless nights when you come back from deployment. However, seek the best solution in advance to avoid serious conditions in the future. Remember also to avoid watching too much TV or using the computer at night. Eat right, exercise frequently, and stay happy to enjoy a peaceful night.