Insomnia

[TeresaBenedicta]

I'm running on Day 10 of not being able to fall asleep easily... and by that I mean, I'm tired and in bed by midnight, and I can't fall asleep until the whereabouts of 4 or 5am.

I've tried warm showers before bed, reading, praying the rosary, praying litanies of saints, simple meditations, sleeping pills... nothing's seeming to do the trick.

And I'm not exactly stressed about anything in particular. On the contrary, in the past week I've become quite at peace about things that were stressing me for the past few months! But my mind just keeps going crazy. I can't make myself stop thinking. It's like the moment I lie down, my mind begins to buzz-- about this, that, and everything in between.

I mean, I'm glad it's happening now, in the summer, rather than in the school year. I don't exactly have much to do. But still. Sleep would be nice.

[Archaeology cat]

When that happens to me, with my mind buzzing about everything, I've found that writing all my thoughts down before bed helps. I'm not as good at doing that now, but for years I've had a journal by my bed, and it's really helped me to get things out of my head so I can relax and sleep.

[CatherineM]

I have the same problem. I have to make a list before bed of everything I need to do/want to do tomorrow. I've tried reading a book, but then I want to stay up to finish. What I would do instead is pick up a book of short stories. These days, I do Sudoku puzzles. For some reason, it seems to engage both sides of my brain, so it keeps it busy enough that the "race" stops. I also don't have anything with caffeine after 3pm, and don't watch the evening news. I find a news blackout really helps. That includes internet news. Less things to think about. My biggest problem right now is that I just started a new medication that insomnia is one of the side affects. I think I'm going to learn to take afternoon naps or something.

[WisdomSeeker]

Have you tried a cup of warm milk with a teaspoon of honey and nutmeg grated on the top?

[kafka]

hmm.

This might sound strange, but you might want to stay up a whole night, or perhaps rip yourself out of bed at 5 in the morning, take a long walk, get some exercise, go to Mass, do some studying then take it easy the rest of the day, and you should get a good rest the following night.

[Guest lleitzke]

[quote name='kafka' post='1884851' date='Jun 6 2009, 11:00 AM']hmm.

This might sound strange, but you might want to stay up a whole night, or perhaps rip yourself out of bed at 5 in the morning, take a long walk, get some exercise, go to Mass, do some studying then take it easy the rest of the day, and you should get a good rest the following night.[/quote]


How are you doing?

[Lilllabettt]

When I get insomnia, it's because I'm trying too hard to fall asleep.

So, I try to stay awake. I make it a game ... can I stay up till 2, 3. 4. 5, etc.,
The effort to stay awake tires me out and gets my mind off of trying to sleep.
And then of course, I do.

[HisChildForever]

Eliminate all caffeine from your diet. The obvious is coffee, but certain kinds of tea, plus soda and chocolate, are also included. I once heard that being exposed to bright screens (television, computer) before bed can make it difficult to go to sleep, so try by 8 or 9 to turn those off. I think reading is your best bet, or a late night phone convo with a willing friend.

[Groo the Wanderer]

Read the Catechism (big green one) when you can't sleep. That'll do it for ya and you'll learn some stuff before you nod off.


and NO, I'm not being irreverent. It is written to read like an encyclopedia and it is hard to stay focused when one is tired. Also when you fall asleep it's kind of nice to have your last concious thoughts be of Christ, His Church, and His Sacraments.

[Nihil Obstat]

I generally find that I sleep better after an active day. I don't have your problem, so I might be completely off track, but maybe it would help by just completely exhausting yourself for a few days straight.

[Winchester]

[img]http://www.expat-at-large.com/pm/images/uploads/stickman.jpg[/img]
The Machinist had trouble sleeping, as well.

[Noel's angel]

Exercise. Notice how it is happening during the summer, when you're not busy with school. Keep your day busy and get rid of excess energy.

[Jaime]

are you old enough to drink wine?

[CoffeeCatholic]

i ditto NA- Exercise it up- but do all your exercise at least 6 hours before your bed time. Also, make sure you're in bed at a reasonable hour (10 instead of 12, maybe) and don't do ANYTHING in that bed except sleep- no reading, no eating, no phatmassing, nada. Also, if you find you've been in bed for half an hour and are still up and going upstairs, get up, and do something. Get out of bed, not just up, and out of your bedroom, if you can. Go for a short walk (if you're in a safe neighborhood), make a small midnight snack, read a book in the living room, sing, whatever, just don't be in bed for at least another 15-30 minutes, or if you start dozing. go back to bed and repeat. Also, do not eat a big meal within 1 hour of going to bed. A small, protein heavy snack is fine, but don't go to Denny's at 11pm.

I've been dealing with insomnia for a long time, and it's worse now that I'm pregnant. This is what is helping me. It doesn't always work, there are my suggestions. Good luck and sleep tight!

[Norseman82]

[quote name='Groo the Wanderer' post='1884945' date='Jun 6 2009, 01:18 PM']Read the Catechism (big green one) when you can't sleep. That'll do it for ya and you'll learn some stuff before you nod off.[/quote]

Or you can try reading Leviticus and Numbers. There's only so much "cut the lobe above the liver and wave it" that you can read before your eyes start to glaze over.

Another trick: I normally fall asleep with my alarm clock on (news station).