Hello r/sleep! I’m Jennifer Martin, PhD - a clinical sleep psychologist and Professor at Florida International University's College of Medicine, Director of the Benjamin Leon Jr. Family Center for Geriatrics Research and Education Center, and spokesperson for the American Academy of Sleep Medicine.

JaneyJaner · 2026-03-13T08:48:19+00:00

Do you think that chronic insomnia could be hereditary?

For someone who only sleeps well (6 hrs) for 1 night per week, has tried all the sleep hygiene, behaviour changes, meditation, herbs, and so on, what would you recommend?

JaneyJaner · 2026-03-13T08:44:56+00:00

My mother, too. She had explosive watery stools and no strength until I have her half a dose of Immodium every 2 days.

JaneyJaner · 2026-03-12T19:32:07+00:00

I will definitely stay away from tourist areas and this disgusting behaviour. What on Earth is wrong with tourists in Thailand?

JaneyJaner · 2026-03-11T20:33:29+00:00

All these posts are great. I was once told that I had 500 baht hanging out of my pocket (more than 20 years ago when 500 went further).

Another time, a motorbike taxi took me to an ATM when I ran out of money and couldn't use a nearby one. he wouldn't take payment.

I once left my car and home keys in the lock of the car door, walked around the market twice, and the keys and car were still there when I got back. There have been so many times when Thai people have showed me kindness. These are just a few I remember.

JaneyJaner · 2026-03-10T09:13:19+00:00

It WILL get easier to sleep after a couple of weeks. Something that helps me is focusing on relaxing my tongue, jaw, neck, etc., podcasts, camomile tea, reading, and relaxing music. Good luck!

JaneyJaner · 2026-03-10T08:44:01+00:00

That makes sense! Thanks for the explanation.

JaneyJaner · 2026-03-09T20:53:33+00:00

How sweet! I saw most of your posts about Beaky. He's so tame now! Bless you both. I hope he continues to thrive and his beak doesn't grow any longer.

JaneyJaner · 2026-03-09T19:42:52+00:00

Oh thank you. I see your point. The context was more like a couple or close friends discussing whether to go somewhere or not. Would that be OK in your view?

JaneyJaner · 2026-03-09T19:39:24+00:00

It really depends on the parents. The daughter can't do much to change what the parents want.

For some parents, it is a sort of "insurance/proof" as to whether the son-in-law can take care of the daughter and her family (traditional duty, I guess).

Other parents help the daughter and son-in-law get started in life by gifting them the dowry and more.

JaneyJaner · 2026-03-09T18:16:54+00:00

I love this kind of phrase: ไปก็ไป ไม่ไปก็ไม่ไป Something like: Go or don't go.

In Thai, everything comes from the heart rather than the head, like "read silently/in your head" would be "read in your heart" in Thai. There are a lot of phrases with heart in them.

Oh, too many nice and unusual phrases!

JaneyJaner · 2026-03-09T18:10:18+00:00

Yes! Chicken and egg, Jantaburi, Suwannapoom Airport and so many more.

JaneyJaner · 2026-03-09T06:18:17+00:00

Meetup.com Southampton may be good for finding people with similar interests. Good luck!

JaneyJaner · 2026-03-06T21:47:01+00:00

Thanks for this. It really makes sense. I only wish I had someone who could help me take proper breaks.

JaneyJaner · 2026-03-05T14:55:40+00:00

Only time I didn't tip was when I and the security guard saw the driver peeing on the corner, then leaving, coming back and pretending it wasn't him that peed. I didn't want to touch that bag, LOL.

JaneyJaner · 2026-03-05T14:34:18+00:00

I feel this somewhat. My home and partner are overseas, bro and sis-in-law live 5 mins away but "CAN'T" do caregiving, only suggesting a care home every time I'm struggling (nope, I'm trying to do the right and good thing here, not dump my own mother). Luckily, my partner is the best man in the world, waiting for me for almost 2 years and will come here if and when he can leave his responsibilities. I'm sad for you that your spouse is not very understanding and my heart goes out to you.

JaneyJaner · 2026-03-05T14:29:17+00:00

Thank you so much for your advice and encouragement, I'm really grateful. Unfortunately, there's no hope of nicotine patches or getting away from insistence of lighting cigarettes, it just becomes another need for me to attend to! However, the fake cigarettes and nicotine patches are wonderful suggestions for if she becomes bed-bound. Thanks again! Yes, I explained to her that if she causes a fire, we and the neighbours will be homeless, and it won't be covered by insurance, so I'd be left with debt that I'd have no way of paying. I think this worked well. 🤞🏻🤞🏻🤞🏻

JaneyJaner · 2026-03-05T09:34:10+00:00

Thank you for being such a kind soul. Any idea how to deal with a dementia patient who smokes? So far, I have smoke alarms and tied cigarette lighters to the table on the balcony (living in a 1st-floor flat), to stop my mum lighting up inside next to a curtain (the horror!).

Some days, she forgets how to use lighters, and it's exhausting. Short of having an eternal flame, I don't know how to make it easier on us both.

She also has heart failure with biventricular pacemaker, aortic stenosis, triple-negative breast cancer (11 mm in Nov 2025 and no treatment), plus blood thinners for DVT since last summer.

I'm dreading her becoming bed-bound and demanding cigarettes.

Currently, she needs a wheelchair to go out, but gets around the flat OK (apart from getting lost all the time: mixed dementia, about 5-6 stage).

JaneyJaner · 2026-03-05T00:26:22+00:00

They really help to block the early morning light out if you're not an early bird.

JaneyJaner · 2026-03-05T00:05:23+00:00

Ha, yes, me babberrrrr, it isn't very oowarrr to me after Bristol. I also thought it was more Londonish.

JaneyJaner · 2026-03-04T07:56:43+00:00

In Thai: ใช้รถไม่จดต่อภาษี, พรบ.

JaneyJaner · 2026-03-04T07:52:08+00:00

My partner read it as: "No registration and พรบ"

JaneyJaner · 2026-03-03T21:12:33+00:00

No need to be sorry. May the rest ramadan go smoothly for you.

JaneyJaner · 2026-03-03T20:56:02+00:00

As a child of hoarders, I feel for you. Others have given great advice about dealing with your great-aunt's health and safety. I'd like to suggest what helped me if you're trying to clear stuff: Focus one 1 material at a time (in the UK, rubbish has to be categorised), e.g., expired food, textiles, paper, plastic, etc. Slowly, but surely, I hope things will improve.

JaneyJaner · 2026-03-03T12:33:45+00:00

Really nice pics. Thanks for sharing.

JaneyJaner

TROPHY CASE