How to Sleep?

[The_Reaper]

May as well go out and see what people have to say.

I've never been the best sleeper; I take a long time to drift off, but when I'm out I'm out. Recently though, my sleeping pattern has become completely random.

I worked for the last seven months, so I was used to falling asleep before 12:30 and waking up for 8 in the morning. Now, I'm lucky if I fall asleep before 7am. And when I do fall asleep, I find myself waking an hour later and then at regular intervals from there.

I just find it hard to switch off; my brain keeps thinking and jumping from subject to subject. I suppose it doesn't help that I'm pretty sure I'm going through a mild depression at the prospect of being unemployed again...

I've tried hot baths before bed, with calming scents; avoiding caffeinated drinks, and all that. I've even been tired, almost ready to black out tired, but the moment I close my eyes my body wakes up and I can't get to sleep at all.

in the past week, I've probably gotten about three to four hours of sleep a night. So, any suggestions on how to get back to and stay asleep?

 

[jensu846]

have you tried Ambien? I am taking it and love it. If you don't mind taking pills.

 

[Special K]

I would avoid medication as a first-line option, as it can cause secondary side-effects. Nevertheless, if you have an untreated medical condition that may be causing or contributing to your poor sleep quality (e.g. sleep apnea), I would suggest you seek help from a medical professional. If I were you however, I would try making simple lifestyle changes first, which may help to improve your sleep quality. Are you familiar with the concept of 'sleep hygiene', if not, then you should check out this website on the subject, as it contains a lot of relevant information: http://umm.edu/programs/sleep/patients/sleep-hygiene.

 

[EJMichaels]

The above-mentioned article contains info I would have posted - I've been looking into this lately. Some of the factors listed for improving sleep quality (like total darkness and cool temperatures) but falling asleep in the first place is somewhat different.

For falling asleep, one thing I find helpful is rather than trying to think of nothing, I think of something pleasant and distracting. Left on its own, my brain will dwell on all the problems, so I force myself to focus elsewhere. I mentally review the stories I write. I can't think of anything else while doing that and I fall asleep right away. The other thing that seems to help is keeping a notepad by the bed so if I think of something I want to do the next day, I write it down to avoid trying to remember it. I can let go of it once it's on paper.

Getting medical help for underlying depression or other problems is also important. Short-term sleeping medication might also help you catch up on lost sleep. Sleep deficit is cumulative -- the body keeps track of all the missing hours and you have to make them up, at least the majority of them. Getting a good night's sleep once or twice won't be enough to correct the deficit.

 

[PABear]

I actually have a sleeping meditation that I use. It helps calm my thoughts and teaches me to relax my body, muscle group by muscle group. It's free and you can download it here. http://www.harmoniousliving.co.za/sleep

 

[syoBsUtsuJ]

Apparently, I have lupus, YES, LUPUS ... pisses me off that I'm off that I'm not of a "colored" woman of child-bearing years
Alas, we all grin and bear it!

 

[hylas]

if i feel restless, putting on music works for me. obviously something not too aggrevating. norah jones, feist, sia, emiliana torrini, dido, heather nova, roberta flack, dusty springfield... you get the idea. in the morning, i try to recall the last track i can remember before i drifted off. its ususally track #2 or 3. so in other words, i fall asleep after only 5-10 minutes.

 

[syoBsUtsuJ]

Since my teenaged years, I sleep a grand total of 5 hours-a-night, if that ... and that's even with Ambien.

Just more time for to think about the naughtiness that you do.

 

[Georgiadude]

I have a terrible time falling asleep. Once I'm out I usually sleep pretty good. Like you my mind won't shut off. I keep thinking of all the crap going on in my life etc. It's too the point I have to take medication or I'll be awake for days. I take seroquel 50mg and xanax 1mg. I can take another 1mg of xanax if needed. I tried ambien and it was horrible. I get out of bed and do stuff. My ex had to take the keys away from me one night because I was going to go driving. I don't have any recollection of any of it. There is help available. Don't suffer with it. Sleep affects every aspect of our lives. Your body needs a certain amount to function normally

Steven

 

[Benvolio]

Reading is essentially a passive activity. The information just flows into the brain. As a result, the more active parts of the brain are not thinking and begin to shut down. Chose something that does not require you to think, but which is interesting enough to distract you from concerns. History works for me.