Finding it hard to sleep

[evil_danger]

Well for over a week now I've been finding it really hard to sleep, including 2 nights in less than a week where I haven't had any sleep at all.

I normally don't worry but this is really annoying now, I want to sleep, I'm physically and mentally tired but when I put my head down I just don't drift off like normal.

I've had sleep in the week but its been difficult, literally sat in bed for hours before I can drift off and waking up way before my alarm goes off.

I can't really explain it more than that, does anyone know what could be stopping me falling asleep and should I worry about it.

As I said, I don't normally worry, but this is sudden, before last week I didn't have any problem sleeping. Well I've never been a person who can fall asleep as soon as my head touches a pillow like some people have, but before last week sleeps been easy.

Any thoughts would be greatly welcome, thanks guys.

 

[Puzuzzu]

i suggest you see a doctor for some sleeping-aid. It happens to me sometimes, but only if I'm really worried or anxious about something.....are you bothered by anything?

 

[evil_danger]

I did get a bit of a nap in the morning, I got out of bed, went on the computer from boredom and felt my head drop so I decided to lay in bed with just a light blanket on and I kinda drifted in and out of sleep.

Thanks for the advice Orion!

I'm not really stressed. I got this whole job issue at the moment, I'm waiting to start work, but I mean I went to the interview and I didn't loose sleep over that, I don't see why I would be stressed over a new job when I know the people who I'm gonna be working for are really nice.

I think my sleep pattern is fucked up at the moment, I mean my last Job behind a bar was really late nights so I would be working till 2:00 in the morning, getting home and winding down for an hour, then on the weekends doing that and getting up at 11:00 in the morning to go back to work so that shifted my sleep pattern, then to go from that to no job, its just random sleep and I think its most likely just caught up with me.

 

[thisisinteresting]

Do you get any exercise?

 

[evil_danger]

And i'm gonna go out on a limb here and say; Masturbate. Masturbating is extremely energy consuming and is a natural sedative.

Wouldn't that count as exercise

I did that, the night I couldn't sleep last, I thought "Well, I cant sleep, might as well have a wank" but it didn't help.

I'm okay at the moment, I got a full nights sleep last night.

 

[TomahawkEagle]

Try this, when you're lying in bed, breathe slowly. Focus as if air is coming in through the top of your head, travelling down your body and out though your toes/feet. That works when I can't sleep and don't want to rely on sleeping pills or alcohol to knock myself out.

 

[KaraBulut]

You hit on one of the big factors in your sleep problems: a change in sleep patterns.

Your body prefers a regular cycle of sleep. So, it's important to try to go to bed and get up at consistent times when possible.

If you have been on a different sleeping schedule (3A-11A) for a while, then it's going to take your body a while to adjust to a new schedule.

Because you've been working until 2A, your body has been very awake during the period from 10P-2A. Now you're trying to make it sleep during the time when it thinks it is supposed to be the most awake. It would be like a normal person trying to fall asleep at 5PM in the evening.

Until you get settled into your new sleep schedule, it's going to be very important that you try to go to bed and get up at the same time every night- even on weekends. It's especially important that you get up at the same time every morning even on weekends- sleeping late will make your body think it's on the old schedule again. Once you get your body programmed to sleep on the new schedule, then you can start staying up or sleeping late on the days when you don't have to work.

The other advice you've gotten in the thread is very good advice- especially the part about caffeine and cutting back on stimulation an hour before you go to bed (e.g. turn off the TV, dim the lights, no exercise in the late evening, etc).

 

[evil_danger]

I'm okay at the moment, hope it stays that way, thanks for the help!

I think the trick has been every day I'm working about 12 hour shifts.

(only home now because I forgot to bring the final menu design in.)

 

[racer2438]

My bf has alot of stress on him right now due to some family issues. and has had sleepping problem for a while. went to doctor and they gave him Ambien. but it didnot work at all.

what works and is cheaper is Tylenol PM. works great!!!!!!!!

 

[PhoenixRising]

Have you tried acupressure? I know, it may not work for everyone, but for me, its helped a great deal. Here's a site with a list of points to try. Personally, I just use points A, E, F, G, H that are listed on the site:

http://www.herbalshop.com/Acupressure/Acupressure_07.html

 

[G-Lexington]

A few things to remember when insomnia hits.

1. Don't panic. You've survived it before, you'll survive it again. If you start stressing out that you're not sleeping (again), that'll just make matters worse. Simply accept it - "Can't sleep right now" - and move on to step 2.

2. Get out of bed. If you're not nodding off, stay out of bed.

3. Don't do anything FUN. Don't turn on the XBox or watch your favorite TV show - that'll just get you interested, and you'll ignore any signals that say "turn it off and go to bed".

4. Here's my surefire cure for insomnia - housework. I'm not kidding. Get up and sort your laundry, or clean the kitchen floor, or do those dishes. (Obviously, don't vacuum or do anything loud if you've got roommates.) If you force yourself to do something dull and boring, it's amazing how quickly you'll start feeling tired.

Lex