PSYCHOLOGICAL TREATMENT. - SLEEP HY... - Restless Legs Syn...

Restless Legs Syndrome

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PSYCHOLOGICAL TREATMENT. - SLEEP HYGIENE

Arjiji profile image
6 Replies

Regarding psychological treatment, which does not cure but makes the disease cope better, sleep hygiene, dynamic relaxation, cognitive behavioral therapy, and stretching are available.

Sleep hygiene: It consists of a part of cognitive-behavioral therapy by which certain stimuli must be linked to the action of sleeping, so that the response is as automatic as possible.

Whenever possible: the time to go to sleep should always be at the same time, without watching television or chatting until late hours, or staying up late on weekends; because the time to get up must also be the same every day of the week.

Electronic devices that emit bright blue light (mobile phones, tablets, computers) have the ability to activate neurons in the brain, which, if used late in the evening or at night and for a long time, can cause insomnia.

The bed should be used only for sleeping, not suitable for watching television or reading on it. The proper room temperature is between 20-22 degrees, night noises should be avoided. If the bed partner snores or the neighbors make noise, ear plugs can be used, if this does not work, the patient should move to another room. If light enters the room, a sleep mask can be used.

Try making the last thing you do before bedtime a relaxing activity, such as reading, listening to music, or doing relaxation practice. By doing that every night your body will know that bedtime is coming and will get ready for sleep.

Having a glass of warm milk is also a good remedy.

Avoid alcoholic beverages at night, exciting drinks (colas, tea, coffee, etc). Avoid smoking if you are not a regular smoker, if you are your body will need nicotine to avoid the deficiency syndrome that would come from not smoking and that would be worse, so smoke your last cigarette of the day.

Avoid tasks or conversations, discussions at the end of the day, that would load you with tension.

-- Sport: Going for a walk or swimming, or doing yoga have been shown to be sleep-promoting activities, provided they are done in moderation, without excessive fatigue and that their practice is before mid-afternoon. Swimming seems to be the most relaxing activity for the body.

-- Relaxation: there are many ways to practice relaxation: sitting like a monk, lying in bed or on a couch, but when you cannot keep your legs still it is difficult to practice relaxation, relaxation in a sitting or lying position should be left for when let us not have motor restlessness in the legs. But we can practice Relaxation Walking. (This technique will be explained in another post).

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Arjiji
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Madlegs1 profile image
Madlegs1

Thank you.👍😎

This might work for some, but not every one. I have found sleep hygiene, not a option when you have RLS. Sleep Hygiene works mostly for those who suffer insomnia. Some of us find drinking coffee a help to calm the RLS. I sleep with white noise, i cant sleep with no sound at all, some can. My body might know its bedtime by doing all those things, unfortunately RLS will do what it wants regardless. Sorry to disagree to some of this. I am sure others will join in in one way or another.

Joolsg profile image
Joolsg

Interesting. Thanks Arjiji.

This is great advice for insomnia sufferers but doesn’t really help those with severe RLS.

Also, alcohol and caffeine help my RLS.

I accept it may help those with occasional or very mild RLS, or those whose RLS is totally controlled by medication.

Stress definitely triggers RLS so a calming routine at night is helpful.

Thank you Arjiji.

I thought it worth clarifying that its devices like TVs, PCs tablets, smartphones etc that can be a problem in the evening. This is because they usually have a"full spectrum"display, i.e. one that produces all visible frequencies of light. This mimics sunlight. On a full spectrum display, white will appear as white.

However, it is the blue end of the spectrum that is the real problem. Some devices, I have one, allow you to filter out the blue frequencies making it safer to use at night. When it is filtered white looks pink!

Accipiter profile image
Accipiter

Remember the orange glow of the old light globes? The white light of LEDs can be an issue because of the blue spectrum.

Hakeyhoo profile image
Hakeyhoo

Thank you Arjiji for your helpful posts

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