Having real trouble sleeping

There's some things on my mind atm from which it's nearly impossible to distract myself, and they're stopping me getting a good amount of sleep because I can rarely drop off until it gets light, as I kind of have a very active mind, it's hard for me to relax it and I end up thinking of these things all the time... also through my childhood it was very hard for me to sleep in a room on my own, like I had to be with someone or I just couldnt sleep, so I have a history of non-sleep, so to speak...could anyone suggest some aids to sleep? Naturally alcohol does it pretty effectively but I really really dont want to become dependent on it...

Reply 1

Rooftopcowboy

12

i know this may not be the most practical suggestion

but joining a gym has really helped my sleep...i can't have been getting tired enough during a day previously. So I'd definitely try exercising.

Reply 2

yellow96

15

Read something entertaining until you really can't stay awake anymore, to stop you dwelling on your problems.

Reply 3

Jamesb283

Reading works for me :smile:

Either that, or watching TV until it gets so hard to continue that I fall asleep.

Reply 4

glitter_bug

Yeah I seem to have an active mind that doesn't really switch off and it stops me sleeping too. I have a diary and when i get into bed I write down all the things as they are going through my mind, it's kind of like I'm getting rid of them. Sometimes I also listen to music through my earphones which kind of drowns out my thoughts, lol :redface:

!

Reply 5

Loveisonthedole

You just need to unwind mate.

You might have a lot of problems but it's the end of the day, put them aside until tomorrow.

Don't use alchohol, as it only exagerrates any emotions you're feeling and you run the risk of dependency and depression + it's not actually a good nights sleep.

You can buy tea's (go to Holland and Barrats) that help with almost anything, and there's plenty that help you to sleep. Caffiene free obviously. Just read the boxes. In the meantime, glass of warm milk, stick on a DVD and chill out.

Also review your diet, cut out the caffiene and sugar and maybe your mind won't be so active.

Reply 6

grammar_king

2

I used to suffer pretty badly from insomnia. The worst it ever got was 4 days without sleep, then I fell asleep in a chemistry class :s

Anywho I tried these things called Calms, they come in a little brown capsule with a blue label, they worked quite well. Can't remember what they had in them because I don't use them anymore.

Reply 7

abc101

17

Kinda the same here. My mind's constantly busy, and I get random thoughts popping into my head, that lead onto something else, that lead onto something else, and I usually end up being reminded of something scary so I get all stressed coz I'm on my own in the dark and have to spend ages thinking of something happy!

Try listening to music, ideally something relaxing. I usually take my I-Pod to bed with me and listen to it for a while - somehow listening to music makes me feel sleepy, whereas if I don't have my I-Pod on I'm lying awake not being able to nod off. I think it might be because when you're listening to music, your attentions are focused on that because of the aural stimulation, meaning your brain doesn't have to create its own stimuli. Or that could be nonsense, but anyway, I find it works for me!

Also you could try some aromatherapy oils - lavender is good, place a few drops on your pillow. A warm shower before bed and a cup of cocoa should help too!

I used to be unable to go to sleep without the tv on, or failing that, the light. A year or two ago I graduated to being able to have the tv on so quietly it was almost silent, but there was still that quiet buzz from it so I felt comfortable enough to drop off, and now I can have the tv off and sleep quite well.

When I'm stressing about something I've got to do the next day, or just general anxieties, I try to just tell myself to forget all about them and get to sleep. Let yourself feel that by getting to sleep you'll get away from all the problems, so that you won't lie awake dwelling on them. Also don't look at the clock to check the time - there's not much that makes it harder to get to sleep than thinking, 'Argh, it's 4am already, I'm only gonna get 3 hours' sleep!'

Reply 8

joeawful

If you really think it's serious (as in it's really affecting your ability to act normal), then go to your doctors.

You'll probably (hopefully?) get a prescription for benzos (or derivatives) which are utterly great but easily to become dependent on. So it's replacing one thing with another.

Reply 9

spartakist

14

Thanks vm for the advice, all of you :smile:

I'll keep it in mind

Having real trouble sleeping

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