Trouble getting to sleep?!
Question: I'm having real trouble getting to sleep lately. I go to bed tired but I just can't seem to get to sleep, I'm not too hot and I'm not too cold, I just can't figure out what's keeping me awake. Then I just lie there for like an hour and a half yawning but not able to get to sleep, then when I have to get up in the morning I'm wrecked all day but still can't get to sleep that night. It's driving me mad, any suggestions?
Answers: I'm having real trouble getting to sleep lately. I go to bed tired but I just can't seem to get to sleep, I'm not too hot and I'm not too cold, I just can't figure out what's keeping me awake. Then I just lie there for like an hour and a half yawning but not able to get to sleep, then when I have to get up in the morning I'm wrecked all day but still can't get to sleep that night. It's driving me mad, any suggestions?
Everybody will have different things that work for them... I have heard that there are properties in milk (white or chocolate milk) that help a person to sleep. Try a little milk about 30 minutes before you want to head off to bed... Limit your pop/caffeine intake as well... Try not having pop (for example) after 7pm that way it has time to get out of your system before going to bed.
For me another thing that works is hot chocolate (make like chocolate milk and heat if you want opposed to just the water and hot chocolate mix).
You could also try playing relaxing music (one of those relaxation cd's you can buy... ie) sounds of the rainforest or whatever. Check Walmart for some cheaper ones but remember what makes one person sleep will keep another wake, so if you don't like the idea of hearing frogs and monkeys scream, don't get something like sounds of the rainforest... lol
If all else fails and you've tried the milk, the hot chocolate, the decreasing caffeine intake, the relaxing music, the counting, the non-stimulating tv (as others have suggested), get yourself some over the counter sleep aids..... Depending on where you live will determine what to get.... Simply Sleep I believe is only in Canada and Tylenol PM is in the States... I've used both, both work, however you have to realise one thing...Tylenol is a brand used for pain relief so my suggestion would be to stay away from something like that and go with something more suited just for sleep aid like Nytol or whatever it's called... Sleep-Ez-D or however you spell that one....
Don't take them if you cannot commit at least 8 hours of sleep though.... They can do more harm than good if you don't get enough sleep with them. They should kick in within 30-60 minutes so what I have always done is take them 30 minutes before you want to go to bed, watch a little tv or surf the net, whatever you want... after 30 minutes, go get yourself ready for bed and climb into bed and just try to let your mind drift off so that you can relax and drift off to sleep.
you should do some running everyday so your heart can beat fast and get you tired...
I have the same problem. Unfortunately the trick is to not focus on falling asleep. Another trick would be to keep a diary or a journal of everything that is stressing you out, or make a list of everything you need to do tomorrow. I would also get into a night time routine. For example, you could watch a half hour of nonstimulating tv (like Friends or Everyone loves raymond... nothing bloody or suspenseful) A lot of people swear by herbal tea. Also, go to bed at the same time everynight. Eventually your body will figure it out.
Take some simply sleep! it relaxes you for a good hour before you go to sleep, it feels great!
try melatonin..you can get it in the vitamin aisle..its natural and helps me alot..also you could try a cup of chamomile tea or a warm glass of milk and a peice of wheat toast before bed ( carbs make ya sleepy :)..also, try to keep your mind on one thing..our minds sometimes race when we lay down, this will keep you awake ..i count backwards from 100 or visually go shopping for groceries..something boring like that should help..if you still have dozed off within 30mins get up out of bed and read a bit..i don't know about you, but just laying there looking at the clock gets me so aggravated i get even more restless!
sweet dreams to you..
throwing some sleep dust your way..
Jay Jay is right.
I would also add that if you go to bed and wake up at the same time every day, it will help.
Also, try not to stress about it too much. Just lie there and try to relax. The worst case scenario is that you are tired the next day and you will likely sleep better the following night.
Most insomniacs actually sleep a lot more than they think. They fall in and out all night, so you are likely getting a few more hours in than you know.
Exercise is great too, but do it earlier in the day. If you work-out too late it can cause you to be too revved up when you go to bed.
You are probably a night person (like me) and your mind is racing when you go to bed. Jay Jay is correct in advising you to keep a pad and pen next to your bed to write down your thoughts. It helps a lot.
It sounds like you are very stressed, and that is likely what is your primary issue. Try anything that you can do to relieve your stress: changing jobs, seeing a psychiatrist, exercise, sex, chat with a friend, mediitation.
Once you find some things that are working, you will begin sleeping better. That in turn, will make you stress even less about sleep and you will sleep even better! And then you will wake up one day totally refreshed and forget that you even had this problem!
I can tell you first hand that your problem is very common and fixable!
Be good to yourself!
Good LucK!