Sleeping problems

m5ex9oqjawdg2i

Well the problem is I cannot sleep... Every second day I tend to stay awake the whole night, tonight is one of those nights, Sunday was another, Friday was another and I think last wednesday too. I am tired but I cannot sleep, I think it has to do with stress. Being unemployed and all that. Normally happens the night before something happens. Went to the doctor before, got an elixir and it knocked me out for about 15 hours leaving me groggy the next day. I don't want that. Any recomendations? To tell you the truth it is not a huge problem, all my life I went on very little sleep. Any home remedies out there?

forbairt

I like listening to Pink Noise when I'm going to sleep ... similar to white noise only ... pink :P

I find it very relaxing and I try to focus on it and I find I can really sleep. Not to mention it blocks out all other noise.

There are also the deep relaxation meditation type things that I find do work. Its probably all psychological but it generally works for me when I use them and yes ... I'm stressed and take too much caffeine

Paligulus

Earlier this year I was having serious problems sleeping and what worked for me was to sit in a dim, quiet room and drink camomille (SP?) tea. Suprisingly it worked.

Cheers

Wibbs

The hot milk bit just before bed helps. There's some scientific reason or other why too. Avoid booze though as that gives you a false sleep(among other issues). Apparently a slightly cold room helps too. Go to bed earlier and wake up earlier works strangely enough. Maybe because the stress of having to go asleep was less. For me anyway. Though me and people differ.:D

I've had periods of insomnia like that in my life in the past. As you say stress in most cases. it passed, but a pain at the time.

deodub

Yep, I have terrible problems sleeping too and whenever my insomnia kicks in, I combine a herbal tablet called Natrasleep with rescue remedy "sleep", and I find this really works for me.
Might be worth a try.

Sugar Drunk

I use a roller ball lavender pen I got it in boots I rub it on my wrists and it helps me sleep. Even try some lavender oil from a healthshop or chemist and try rubbing a few drops on your wrist or your pillow.

When I really cant sleep I take valerian tablets an hour before I go to bed. They dont leave you as drowsy as other tablets

Theres also a muscle excercise you can try that a physio showed me before. Lie in bed. Starting at your toe tense them as much as you can and then completely let them relax. then progress to your calves, then your knees tensing each muscle and then relaxing so gradually from your toes your whole body is losing tension. You basically continue all teh way up your body to your head.

biko

One problem could be that you use the bed for other things, reading, surfing, whatever.
If you can't sleep get up and walk around or go downstairs and watch telly for a bit. Leave computers in another room.

Go back to bed, close the curtains and have some low music on.

Once your body learns that bed is for sleeping only it should be easier to fall asleep. The music is there for you to focus on so the thoughts don't wander.
Good luck.

Btw, have a look in the Sleeping & Dreaming forum. Prob a lot of similar issues there
http://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/forumdisplay.php?f=827

Pat Mustard

I'm not a doctor, but it sounds like you are suffering from anxiety.

Someone mentioned the camomile tea. It does help, but it's no magic bullet.

Wibbs went thru the whole alcohol thing. Stay away if you can.

There is a thing you can get in the Health food shops called Valeriana. It has worked for me before. Can't recommend it to help you long term, tho.

Here is what really worked for me. Exercise. Start running. Push yourself. It works. Try it.

finbarrk

I found Tylenol PM all right but It wouldn't be a long term solution. As the Mustard said exercise and fresh air is a good idea.
http://www.tylenol.com/product_detail.jhtml?id=tylenol/pain/prod_pm.inc&prod=subppm

COH

I think medication should be a last resort.

I had a similar problem before and found that getting up at 7am every morning irrespective of how much or how little sleep I got the night before and doing an hour of exercise really helped regulate my body clock. Its tough at first, but rewarding in more ways than one. Do you currently get much exercise?

In$omniac

Okay as my name suggests I have problems with lack of sleep, I survive on 5hours a night if I'm lucky, but I have learnt to live with that.

Do not eat a a lot of food 5 hours prior to bedtime, I don't eat after 7 as a rule, unless I'm out and about and know I will be mobile and not just going to sit on sofa.
I tried the hot milk, hot chocolate etc which worked for the first couple of nights then it became very heavy on the stomach, giving me cramps so I tossed for a couple of extra hours, gave that up.
Sleepers from the doc they only make me groggy/sleepy next day, so I don't bother with them.
If you find you are in bed and still tossing and turning for an hour get out of bed and do something for 10mins and go back to bed, it works!
Now I find watching tv with the lights off helps the eyelids become heavy, or reading a book with a nightlamp rather than main bedroom light. Also when you eventually do go asleep do not over sleep this will effect your sleeping habits. So for example you go to bed for 10 wake at 6-7, do this for a couple of nights and you will see a pattern emerge. Also as most hate to admit a fiddle with the nether regions helps induce sleep

biko

Read Insomnia by Stephen King (not that it pertains to your problem really, just a plug for a good book).