This is a sponsored post - all text is my honest opinion.
I recently received this gift box,The Ultimate Dream Kit, from TENA Lady to help with a sound night's sleep and very welcome it was too. Like a lot of women I'm trying to re-establish a sleep pattern after emerging from the menopause. The night sweats from those years have taken their toll, disrupting the deep REM sleep we need to process the workings of the mind and rejuvenate the body.
According to TENA 61% of women in the UK admit to experiencing bladder weakness at some point in their lives which certainly applied to me years ago. I wonder how many in that survey declined to admit they did? It's not an easy subject to discuss, but I thought it's the least I could do to be honest with my readers. Childbirth left me with stress incontinence - coughing, sneezing and even just carrying a bag of heavy shopping caused me to leak; I felt at my least feminine and painfully embarrassed too. While I was waiting for an operation to repair what was actually a prolapse, I relied on TENA pads to allow me to carry on with my everyday life. And now they've introduced a range of night time pads which offer all night protection allowing you to have a dry and comfortable night's sleep.
I'm already a fan of This Works as a brand that actually delivers on its promises. After a warm bedtime bath, I've been using the Deep Sleep Night Oil to give myself a lovely massage before bundling up my cosy pj's. My bedtime ritual is to read until I'm drowsy and just before I switch off the light I waft a couple of pumps of the Deep Sleep Pillow Spray across the entire pillow. It has the most delicious aroma of Lavender, Vetivert and Wild Camomile that combine to give an incredibly relaxing effect. I've used it for the past week and it really does work. Previously I'd read until sleepy and then somehow the minute my head would hit the pillow all sorts of unfinished business would start zooming around my brain. No more tossing and turning for me now! Click on the highlighted link below or above to be taken to the Sleep Solutions page of This Works.
The Night Time Pukka tea delivers the same dreamy notes of Lavender and the floral blend was easy on the palate, but I didn't actually drink it at bedtime as was recommended. I cut down on liquids in the evening so as to reduce my trips to the loo - another legacy from having babies or just a sign of old age? Who knows, but bedtime drinks are out for me.
I'm always happy to have a new book to read and this one was a good introduction on learning how to understand the meaning of dreams. "Discovering what the dream is telling you is half of the game; the other half is to apply the insight. A dream is practical and useful-if and only if- you apply its insight. Its application helps you unleash your potential one step at a time and puts the odds in your favour of achieving success, peace and happiness." Some people say they don't dream, but I seem to have my dreams drifting about in my head for ages. Maybe once I've finished the book I'll have a better understanding of what the messages from those dreams are and can work on them. Another of the gifts was a Dream Catcher that you may see in the first shot - said to encourage happy and positive dreams!
"When you cease to dream you cease to live"
Malcolm Forbes
"Dreams" is a journal that seeks to inspire us to follow our dreams. Whether you've just turned 60 like me or are still in the full flush of youth, there's never a better time to write down your hopes and aspirations. Unless you pin them down, pad them out and map how your future could look you'll never start taking steps towards those dreams. I know this may sound crazy, but turning 60 has taken me a bit by surprise. It's a big number, prompting not just a full stop and a new paragraph, but I think it heralds a whole new chapter in my life. At the moment I'm taking stock and this inviting journal will be most useful for laying out my plans.
Anna x
Well done, Anna, an open and straight talking post about where life is at for we ladies of a certain age. Your nightime routine sounds divine. How fortunate to receive all those lovely goodies to try out. Hugs, x.
ReplyDeleteThanks so much Mary. The box of goodies has been a lovely treat and a real help with my search for a good night's sleep. I think the importance of a regular routine is overlooked sometimes.
DeleteAnna x
Oh yes, stress incontinence is a pain in you know where. I took medication for a while but eventually it didn't seem to work but I do think it 'retrained' my bladder. Although coughing and sneezing (and laughing) are still an issue.
ReplyDeleteI've been so very lucky with the menopause; no night time sweats and my sleep routine never changed, but the worst thing for me was vaginal dryness. A whole new ball game!
What a fab box of goodies to receive and use.
Sweet dreams!
xxx
I took meds for a while too, but they only seemed to make things worse for me. It's terrible that we have to put up with this as a consequence of a women's lot and do wonder if it happenened to men would there be the same meek acceptance.
DeleteThanks for your feedback and your honesty too. It looks like this subject could be expanded to cover many more women's issues.
Anna x
I pee at least 2-3 times a night, always have! I'm just used to it. I drink a lot of water and tea throughout my day, and always finish a full glass of water on my nightstand by morning. Apparently 2017 was the year of the night sweats for me - this year has been smooth sailing (famous last words!). Sleep is so hugely important to all of us, so much more than we may realize.
ReplyDeleteSnap - 2-3 times is my average too Sheila and that's without a bedtime drink. My menopause took about 10 years to transition and of those at least were 5 sweaty soggy ones. I wonder if mattress manufacturers could be cashing in on this predicament? How lucky you will be to get away with only one year of sleep disruption!
DeleteAnna x
This is such a common problem that us bloggers are all worried to talk about. Well done for talking about this Anna. You have a lovely helpful kit there to help you sleep.
ReplyDeleteLaurie xx
Yes, it's a funny thing isn't it Laurie? I think because I had experienced it I really thought it only fair to share that with my readers. I fancy I was indeed talking to the silent majority.
DeleteAnna x
I love that you share your genuine experience, as it's something that many women are afraid to talk about!, well, it happens!
ReplyDeleteIt's better to talk about all kind of health issues (even if they're embarrassing!) which we, women, have to deal with!.
I think I would enjoy some lavender and vetiver scent before going to sleep!, that looks lovely!
besos
Thanks for your lovely feedback Monica. I must admit I felt a bit anxious about how this might be received, but I can now see that I had nothing to worry about. I'm keen to cover more real issues on the blog as we're first and foremost women before being style bloggers.
DeleteI really can't recommend the bedtime pillow spray enough - it's like a magic spell!
Anna x
Lovely post Anna, thanks for your honesty. We have a 'snap' post today as I have featured the same. Loving your post more than mine though - I hope you can pop over for a read Hun. xx Jacqui
ReplyDeletewww.mummabstylish.com
Thanks Jacqui, and yes I'm heading right over to you now sweetie. I think this subject is deserving of as much coverage as possible, so well done!
DeleteAnna x
Thank you so much for recommending these products. Any sleep aid is welcomed, probably not just for me but for many women our age. It's nice to hear that someone I trust has tried these items before I give them a try. Thanks for doing that!
ReplyDeleteAnd thank you for putting your trust in me. I don't often do sponsored posts as you know and that's because I have to believe in the product. The entire gift box was well thought out and very useful.
DeleteAnna x
I just had a discussion about the stress incontinence issue today! Interestingly the discussing women were all very new acquaintances and yet we all had similar experiences and frustrations to share. We commiserated, we laughed and I think we became closer for having broached the subject. Somehow I knew that you were a woman wouldn't blink an eye about including this topic in a post, Anna. Thanks for sharing your views on these products but even more , thanks for being YOU!
ReplyDeleteWhat a funny coincidence Jude! I know you must still be making new friends in your area and what topic could be more bonding that something so intimiate and yet so prevelant? I spent the whole day with a group of women yesterday and wonder if I'd touched on the subject how many of them would have been affected? We still have taboo subjects and yes, you're right, I like to feel I can broach them - we're real women with real issues after all.
DeleteThank you my dear!
Anna x