Trouble sleeping? Get to the bottom of it.

The next time you are at a doctor’s appointment or any other place that has information pertaining to seniors, I urge you to pick up the brochures and/or magazines.

There is a wealth of information that you might find very useful. I picked up a copy of Arkansas Senior Resource Directory and found some helpful hints if you find yourself asking this question … Why can’t I sleep?

Here are some tips you may or may not know that will help you sleep.

Set yourself a regular time to go to bed and arise every day, including weekends.

This will help your body set its natural clock. Go to bed when you are sleepy, not just tired. Put away ALL electronics two hours before you retire for the night. If you like to read, read a printed book, not one on your tablet.

Practice slow breathing and relaxation techniques to help you fall asleep. Make sure your bedroom is dark, cool and quiet. Avoid caffeine, including chocolate, a few hours before bedtime.

Limit alcohol, which might put some people to sleep, but can lead to sleep problems and more trips to the bathroom. Exercise during the day will help you sleep better at night.

PEPPI classes at the Benton Senior Wellness and Activity Center can help you with this.

Consider buying music or a white noise machine with the sound of waves for a peaceful sleep. I have a record that has the sound of rain falling and waves breaking against the shoreline.

I won’t tell you how old the record is but I will tell you that it will put you to sleep with dreams of rain falling on a tin roof or listening to the waves from an open window of a beach house. If you are doing these things and still cannot sleep, you should consult with your doctor about seeing a sleep specialist.

Getting the proper amount of sleep can affect your health, both mental and physical.

Beginning in June, Commodities will no longer be picked up on Jefferson Street. Beginning June 7, Commodities will be disbursed at the River Center. Stay tuned for more information.

Monday - The Country Ramblers Band, led by Lawrence Savage, will play at 9 a.m. for your listening pleasure and a little boot scootin’ if you are so inclined.

TOPS (Take Off Pounds Sensibily) will be held at 5 p.m.

Tuesday – The BBB team will travel to Maumelle.

At 9:30 a.m., PEPPI Exercise and Move with Balance will be held.

Gospel singing will begin at 10 a.m. and everyone is welcome to share a song or just sing along.

Volleyball practice is set to begin at 12:30 p.m.

A sign language class is offered at 12:30 p.m.

At 7 p.m. each Tuesday, a different band will play for your listening and dancing pleasure. The band for this week is Straight Country. Tickets are $5.

Wednesday – At 9 a.m. Harmonicas for Health will be held. Harmonicas and music are provided. All you have to do is show up. Not only are you learning something new, it is a great way to help your breathing.

Bingo starts at 10 a.m. Great way to spend a morning and you can practice for bingo at Chick-fil-a on Thursday.

A genealogy course will be given at noon.

Intro to Windows 10 will be held at 1:30 p.m.

Thursday – The bus leaves at 7:20 a.m. for Bingo at Chick-fil-a. We have a great time and some of us even win.

At 9:30 a.m., PEPPI/ Move With Balance will help to keep you toned and most of the exercises can be done sitting down.

Trivia and cookies will be held at 10 a.m.

Intro to computers will take place at noon.

Friday – The Danny Perryman and Old Country will entertain us from 9 to 11 a.m. If you dance by the camera you just might find yourself on TV showing off your dancing skills. Sort of like a senior version of American Bandstand or Steve’s Show.

At 9 a.m., a wellness clinic will be held by Evergreen Health.

Devotion begins at 10 a.m.

Line Dancing will be held at 1 p.m.

Each day, a delicious, hearty meal is served. For ages 60 plus, a $3 donation is requested. For those 59 and younger, there is a charge of $8. If you want a take-out plate the charge will be $8 as well.

Monday – Ham and beans, greens, cornbread, fruit crisp and milk.

Tuesday – King ranch chicken, corn, lettuce and tomatoes, tropical fruit, cookie and milk.

Wednesday – Cheesburger on bun, baked beans, lettuce and tomato, peaches and milk.

Thursday – Spaghetti with meat sauce, tossed salad with dressing, garlic breadstick, pineapple and milk.

Friday – Fish sandwich, sweet potato tots, coleslaw, banana split dessert and milk.

The Center is open each day from 7:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Come join in a game of dominos, working a puzzle, a rowdy game of bean bag ball, a game of pool, volleyball or maybe researching something on our computers.