Bed Risers / Reverse Rise Results (aka experiments to combat poor sleep)
- Reverse Rise Approach: This method involves raising the foot side of the adjustable bed and using dumbbells to elevate the back side, making the back side function as the head of the bed. Body positioning is crucial when using the reverse rise approach. It has helped me sleep longer before experiencing early morning insomnia.
- Bed Risers Approach: This involves placing 5-inch furniture bed risers under the legs on the head side of the bed, leaving the back side unchanged. I didn’t notice much difference compared to just raising the head of the adjustable bed. While it delays early morning insomnia, the reverse rise approach seemed more effective. This approach is more comfortable when used with a contour neck pillow.
- Sitting Rise Approach: In this method, the bed is elevated until it is almost in a chair-like position. This is done after waking up due to early morning insomnia. Although it’s not the most comfortable position, it is used as a strategy to cope with early waking.
- 6-Hour Sleep Approach: This strategy, suggested by my brother Chris, involves sleeping at 10 PM and setting an alarm for 4 AM, then taking a nap during the day to recover the lost sleep. I’ve tried a similar method where, instead of setting a 4 AM alarm, I start my day if I wake up due to early morning insomnia. My dad criticizes this approach for promoting poor sleep.
I experienced some sleep improvement with all these approaches, though none were significant. Currently, I’m using bed risers and a contour neck pillow as my primary strategy. When early morning insomnia strikes, I plan to alternate between sitting up and starting my day earlier. I’ve also noticed that adhering to dietary restrictions, particularly avoiding overeating, has led to more noticeable improvements.
