Sleeping Problems

In the past week or so, i'm having huge problems with my sleep. I can't sleep at night, like now. My minds racing, so much to think about, I can't seem to switch off. Sure I'm tired, infact I have a headache right now that I could put down to tiredness, but I can't get to sleep. I have a comfy bed, theres no noise right now. Its not anything like that. And then, when I finally do drift off, I end up wandering around at 3-4 am because im awake again. The problem comes when I don't wake up in the morning. I haven't seen the morning for the past few days - I keep sleeping! How do I fix this? I don't want to become nocturnal!!! I actually used to enjoy my going to bed at 11-12, to feel nice and refreshed. Any suggestions from anyone?!

Reply 1

SunburnedCactus

Melatonin is highly recommended. Gives you a really good nights sleep but without the morning side-effects of sleeping pills.

Healthariffic!

Reply 2

gaia_a

try being really strict with yourself. get a sleep routine and stick to it. go to bed at a certain time and then wake up at one. make sure you try to get at least 8 hours sleep. you said your mind was 'racing' so you're clearly not relaxed enough to sleep. Spend the hour before you go to sleep winding down. don't eat anything, but have a warm drink like hot chocolate or ovaltine or milk or something. have a bath or read a book or pamper yourself so you chill out enough to be able to sleep. failing all that see your doctor and s/he'll be able to tell you if you just need to make lifestyle changes or need some medication. hope this helps.
(am writing this at nearly 5am! spot the insomniac!)

Reply 3

dogtanian

ehhh, I'm the same. It's usually at least 5am, and often about 6am, before I can sleep. Then I can't get up the next day. Lucky lectures were cancelled the week it was the worst.

I actually managed a couple of hours earlier at about 1am, but not proper sleep. I'm not tired right now, so I might just stay up, maybe have a short nap in the afternoon and hopefully be tired enough to go to bed at a normal time...

Reply 4

rosetinted

I'm afraid this might be somewhat boring advice, but rest assured it works. I used to be an insomniac (and before anyone says anything it's only 12.30 here in Canada and I'm tucked up in bed about to go to sleep! lol)

1) Get some exercise. This is a huge huge factor for my sleeping patterns. When I was studying for my A levels a few years back I was very inactive and slept very badly. On my gap years I have been doing very physically active jobs (ski instructing and working in a boathouse) and I have difficulty keeping my eyes open past about 8pm on work days! I'm not saying you need major physical activity but probably more than you are currently getting will help enormously, plus it generally makes you feel better anyway.

2) Cut back on caffeine. I was never a big tea and coffee drinker so I just stopped altogether. If you need your regular caffeine fix then that's fine..but slow down the consumption in the afternoon and for several hours before bedtime. Try to not drink tea or coffee for at least 3/4 hours before bed.

3) Don't eat a big meal right before going to bed.

4) Do not nap during the day. It really messes your sleep patterns up. If you have had poor sleep the night before force youself to stay awake until at least 9pm, then you can go to sleep. If you get into a pattern of going to sleep at 5 or 6 and getting up after midday then you just have to get it worked round to your desired sleeping times. Try making yourself get up earlier..set several alarms if you find it hard. If you force yourself to get up and only get 5 hours of sleep then you will find it much easier to settle down for bed earlier the next night.

5) Set a time for bed and stick to it. If you are like me (when I'm not working and I'm in my loafing around state) and just keep drifting around on the net or watching crap TV until 4 in the morning..eyelids drooping but you keep going "noo..must watch...*yawn* might be..interesting *yaaaawn*". Just FORCE yourself to stick to your midnight bedtime or whatever it is. Usually once you've got rid of all the distractions you realise you weren't that interested in them anyway!

6) a warm bath or shower before bed can sometimes help

I'm not a big believer in all these herbal remedies or taking pills. If you can't sleep it is most likely because you are not physically tired. Either you are artificially kept awake by stimulants like caffeine and nicotine in your system or by your body processing food or your body hasn't had to do anything active and can't see why it needs to rest. The number 1 cure is exercise..trust me on this one!!