18-year-old Helena Muffly wrote exactly 100 years ago today:
Monday, January 19, 1914: Nothing much doing this day.
Her middle-aged granddaughter’s comments 100 years later:
Since Grandma didn’t write much a hundred years ago today, I’ll share part of an interesting article on the causes and cures for insomnia that appeared in the March, 1914 issue of National Food Magazine.
To My Sleepless Friend
It is certainly true that thousands lose their health and many die every year through lack of sufficient sleep. Prolonged sleeplessness means nervous trouble of some kind and should not be neglected.
Rest Destroyers
The habitual use of stimulants and drugs.
The worrying habit.
The overwork habit.
Habitual overeating, or taking food at bedtime that is difficult of digestion.
The “wide-awakes” who cannot sleep themselves and disturb the rest of others.
The “fond mother” who wakes the baby to exhibit him to a friend.
The “early-to-bed” who interferes with the “late-to-bed’s” morning nap.
To Cure Insomnia
Strict attention to diet is an absolute necessity.
Weak, easily exhausted persons require food at short intervals (about every two hours).
The heartiest meal of the day should not be eaten later than 2 p.m.
Liquid nutriment or fresh, ripe fruit should be taken between meals.
No uncooked fruits should be eaten after the dinner hour.
Avoid
Condiments and spices; strong acids; food that is difficult of digestion for you; tea, coffee and alcoholic drinks, usually.
As Sleep Inducers
A cup of hot water or hot milk before retiring.
A light sandwich (minced meat or chicken).
Never go to bed hungry, nor with an over-loaded stomach.
Lay aside business worries and other cares at sunset.
Take a walk, some light exercise, after the evening meal (one hour later).
Substitute muscle fatigue for brain tire.
When you go to bed, relax the muscles, lie on the right side, and think of something pleasant.
Finally
Don’t keep yourself awake trying to get to sleep. Give up the idea that you cannot sleep. Seek rest and repose first, and sleep will come naturally with time.
A Hundred Years Ago 
A lot of similarities to today’s advice…not sure about the uncooked fruit though.
I love the list of the rest destroyers, especially the wide-awakes and the early to bed.
That bed looks so cozy – how can anyone NOT sleep there?
Love the picture of the bedroom. That article is just another reminder of how things that keep us awake may not have changed over the years, but the way we word things certainly has!
I notice there is no mention of sleep inducing over-the-counter drugs. Warm milk was always prescribed when I was a kid. With cookies. 🙂
haha right down to laying on your right side! I always think it’s funny when people are advised not to worry… It’s not like there’s a switch you can just turn off…
Wow, that is a pretty good list. Who knew about fruit, I thought it was just me and fruit! Also, I wonder what laying on the right side rather than the left side does. Really interesting post!
I seem to be doing all the wrong things! LOL! Maybe if I followed the rules I wouldn’t have those 3 am writing frenzies!
I love this!
Lots of wisdom here. I guess early and late risers have always been the norm.
With the rest destroyers, all I could think of is, “Nothing new under the sun!” Those are the exact things that keep me awake some nights 100 years later . . . (with the exception of the habitual use of drugs, of course!)
This is so interesting and the archaic language is a hoot!
Very pretty bedroom! Seems like the advice for insomnia hasn’t changed much in 100 years! 🙂
Love the picture.
What’s old is new again. My daughter had Dr. Oz on one afternoon last week while I was holding the baby. He had a guest who discussed how lack of sleep can affect people — very similar to what’s written above. And the guest presented her information at new!