It has been a struggle for Katya Santos to get quality sleep.
“Yun yung problema ko, e. Light sleeper ako, tapos ang hirap ko kumuha ng tulog especially now nung nag-e-age na.
“Super walang quality yung sleep ko, so nadi-disrupt siya.
“Every now and then, nagigising talaga ako sa madaling araw.”
Having started in showbiz at age 10, she has long been used to an erratic schedule. Now in her 40s, Katya tries to sleep early and catch up on rest whenever she can—though she rarely succeeds.
“Actually, kasi nga sa work ko, hindi mo talaga magagawa yung sleep na ano, di ba, yung sinasabi nila na parang sleep schedule.
"Kasi let's say ang normal sleep ko is around 11 P.M., then nagigising ako ng mga around…kung wala akong work, nagigising ako mga 10 A.M.
“Pero pag may work, siyempre, matutulog ako, ita-try ko matulog ng 9 P.M., hindi naman ako nakakatulog. Makakatulog pa rin ako ng 11 P.M., pero gigising ako ng 4 or 5 A.M.
“So nasisira sa ganun, so depende talaga sa schedule ko for the day.”
Read: Cai Cortez thrives as single mom; finds new love
WHAT KATYA SANTOS HAS TRIED SO FAR TO FIX HER SLEEP
Katya said she was envious of “masandal-tulog” people.
“Wala kong ganun. Light sleeper talaga ako. Kailangan pagod na pagod ako para magawa yun. Ang suwerte nung mga taong ganun.
“Kung hindi, even if maaga, hindi talaga quality yung sleep ko.”
Hence, she resorted to several methods to address her sleeping problem.
SLEEPING AIDS
“Before, I used to drink melatonin,” she recalled.
According to the website of Cleveland Clinic, a non-profit academic medical center in the U.S., the over-the-counter supplement is said to regulate sleep-wake cycles and supposedly helps those with insomnia, jet lag, or night shift work.
How? It mimics the natural hormone that tells the body it is time to sleep.
But it did not work for Katya.
“I found out na hindi pala siya okay. Kaya pala din, mas nagigising ako in the middle of the night.
“And then parang may sweating, ganun, parang may racing yung ano heart ko, may palpitations. Yun pala yung side effects.”
Here’s a smoother, more polished version while keeping the quotes intact:
So far, magnesium seems to be doing the trick.
“Nakakatulong para ma-relax ako. Umiinom ako daily, one hour before bed, para to calm the body,” Katya said.
According to the website of Sleep Foundation, this essential mineral “plays a role in nerve and muscle function, bone development, blood sugar control, and heart rhythm consistency.”
Most health websites also note that magnesium glycinate is the most effective compound for improving sleep quality.
Read: How Maxene Magalona fixed her sleep and overall well-being
SLEEPING ROUTINE
From the #8HourMovement event, she learned how setting definite schedules for sleeping, eating, and other daily activities can bring balance to life.
“Tama nga na magkaroon talaga ng daily schedule sa ginagawa mo, also yung sleep schedule.
“Whether may kailangan kang gawin or magbabago man siya, pero at least yung most of the time, mas ganun yung schedule niyo.
“Nasimulan ko na ito actually. Meron na akong mga parang mga seremonyas para makatulog.
“So, may warm bath. And then a little stretching.
“Yung one hour before bedtime, nakapatay na yung ilaw ko. Tapos hindi na rin ako nagga-gadget, scrolling sa social media.
“And then I listen to sleep stories nung Bible. So yun ang ginagawa ko.
"Nakakatulong siya sa akin kasi nakaka-relax. Parang prayers ko na rin yun, e.
“And then, hindi ko tinitignan yung clock kasi ma-i-stress ako.”
It’s not yet consistent, but she has been making progress.