problems sleeping

[stephanieamber]

lately i've been having problems sleeping. it will take FOREVER to fall asleep and then once asleep, i have nightmares and wake up 5-6 times a night.

anybody else have any of tehse sleeping problems and/or advice... helpful tips... etc?

...that don't involve taking things like tylenol or nyquil.

 

[darktipper]

I usually listen to music to put me to sleep or I workout like 1 hour before bed....
Then I wake up somewhat refreshed and sore.

 

[Cyax]

Pray.

Find peace, calm your soul.

Works for me.

 

[GoodNewsJim]

Prayer is an important thing to do to avoid nightmares. I'll pray for you.

 

[waves16]

Here are a few things that have helped me:
-doing yoga or listening to relaxing music before bed
-no caffeine, sugar, meals, or bright computer screens right before bed
-work out or go for a walk a few hours before bed
-get ready for bed an hour before you sleep. Wind down, read a book, turn out the lights, turn off the computer and cell phone, and relax.
-keep the same sleep schedule every day, at least on weekdays.

I know how much it stinks to have nightmares and trouble sleeping, I hope you find something that works for you

 

[Fremdin]

I hear ritualizing bedtime helps, and not watching tv in bed. I've got a fish tank in my room that I watch til I fall asleep, it's really nice and peaceful. I also like to picture all the stress in my head being emptied. It helps me. That and sleepytime medicine, but you don't need to know about that

 

[Gabe7]

Are you under a lot of stress?

 

[Perhaps Today]

Praying for you, Stephanie.

 

[hana14]

Chamomile and rooibos teas are supposed to help. My sister swore by putting a drop of lavender on her pillow. Hope you manage to get some sleep tonight

 

[NoodlesNoodlesNoodles]

My only two suggestions, and the things that work for me, are:

1. Reading about an hour before bed or more.
2. Chamomile tea

Also, I avoid:

1. Any kind of lit screen. TV, computer, phone
2. Thinking about things that worry me
3. Music that makes me energetic or reminds me of anything significant.


Hope your troubles pass.

 

[stephanieamber]

lotssss of helpful things. thanks guys. we'll see how it changes when i'm at camp and away from screens and have more of a nightly routine. just a week and a half left until then. i'll also make my sleepytime tea part of my habit. mostly because i think people who drink tea before bed are really cool.

 

[Stravinsk]

No caffeine at least 5 hours before you go to bed

Cut or eliminate carb intake quite a few hours before bed (you're not going to be using much energy while you sleep right? - besides, it will just turn to fat - esp higher glycemic carbs). Fats are a primary source of energy too - so it's best to limit them also.

Reading helps - it takes your mind more energy to read than to watch T.V. or a movie

Hops and Valerian

Some form of physical exercise during waking hours.

 

[Sapphyre]

Sounds like you're stressed. That's what happens to me when I'm stressed - I can't shut off my mind as I'm trying to fall asleep, and then I keep waking up.

Lots of good advice so far that works for me - I'll just add replacing worried thoughts with happy ones as you're trying to fall asleep. I know it sounds super cliche, but it works. You can't stop thinking about stressful things without replacing them with something.

 

[Irrkunst]

Based on my experience as a lifelong insomniac I would advise the following:

1. No caffeine after 3:00 PM
2. Good sleep hygiene: go to bed at the same time every night, a cool room, etc.
3. Do at least 30 minutes of cardiovascular exercise daily
4. Medication for stress/depression/anxiety if needed
5. Prescription sleep meds (avoid herbals, however)

 

[Revived]

Listening to Psalms from an audio bible helped me when I was going through something similar. Praying!




ETA: If you don't have an audio bible, BibleGateway has a few free versions.

 

[Revived]

FYI, the above method also worked for Ethie and Marycita. They may have other suggestions as well.

 

[stephanieamber]

tonight i can't sleep because i just keep watching videos of baby animals on youtube. baby animals i want as pets. like chinchillas and raccoons....

YouTube - ‪Baby Raccoon in the tub‬‏

YouTube - ‪Baby Raccoons in Red Hammock‬‏

YouTube - ‪The most lovely baby chinchilla you've ever seen@_@‬‏

YouTube - ‪Cute rescued baby squirrel‬‏

 

[Gym]

lately i've been having problems sleeping. it will take FOREVER to fall asleep and then once asleep, i have nightmares and wake up 5-6 times a night.

welcome to my life... lol
As for what to do, I've not really found anything that works for me.. sorry

 

[.Mikha'el.]

lately i've been having problems sleeping. it will take FOREVER to fall asleep and then once asleep, i have nightmares and wake up 5-6 times a night.

anybody else have any of tehse sleeping problems and/or advice... helpful tips... etc?

...that don't involve taking things like tylenol or nyquil.

I use Gravol, lol.

 

[Revived]

Regular (vigorous) exercise if you're not already is guaranteed to make you sleep.