Advice for Insomniacs?

kitsch_k · #1 (**permalink**) 05-07-2007, 01:23 PM

Do you guys have any advice so i can sleep earlier and better?! ive been having really bad sleeping problems.

britjojo · #2 (**permalink**) 05-07-2007, 04:27 PM

There may be a reason you are not sleeping, and you should first look at that. Are you getting enough excersise in the day? If I don't do enough I can't sleep.

Are you staying active too late? You need time to unwind before you try to sleep. A glass of wine and warm bath can help that. Milk if you don't drink.

There are other things too-is your room too light? Do you have a TV on-that's not a good thing for most people. Music can help if it's soothing, or even a fan.

rox · #3 (**permalink**) 05-07-2007, 06:09 PM

im taking pills to help me sleep at night.

a good suggestion, if you dont want to go see a doctor, is take the allergy medicine benadryl.

that knocks me out.

or sleep-eze-d

etali · #4 (**permalink**) 05-07-2007, 06:19 PM

I would suggest opening a window in the bedroom if you don't already - fresh air helps me, at least. It might not work if you live near a noisy road though.

Also, try to have a routine you do before you go to bed. Even if it's just undress, brush teeth, lay out clothes for next day, read for 5 minutes. Do it, in that order, every day. Supposedly it trains your mind to go into sleep mode at the start of that routine.

I think it really works too - since these days I simply can't sleep without watching an episode of a TV series on the DVD player before bed - I got into the '1 episode a day' after borrowing Alias from a friend, and it's habit now!

Fizz · #5 (**permalink**) 05-09-2007, 06:04 PM

There could be a lot of different reasons you are having trouble sleeping, either physical or emotional. When I get stressed I get restless, maybe it sounds old fashion, but when I have trouble sleeping I drink milk. Warm or Cold it doesn't matter and it really works, something in the milk causes sleepiness, don't know why, but it's worked for generations, so I'm not going to knock it. If I were you I would really see your Doctor to rule out any health concerns that could be causing it.

britjojo · #6 (**permalink**) 05-12-2007, 06:55 PM

Milk contains a substance called triptophan, which is a natural sedative. That's why it makes you sleepy.

kitsch_k · #7 (**permalink**) 05-12-2007, 07:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rox

im taking pills to help me sleep at night.

a good suggestion, if you dont want to go see a doctor, is take the allergy medicine benadryl.

that knocks me out.

or sleep-eze-d

my sister, who's a nurse, told me about benadryl too..i told her id consider it once im really desperate. hehe

kitsch_k · #8 (**permalink**) 05-12-2007, 07:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by britjojo

Milk contains a substance called triptophan, which is a natural sedative. That's why it makes you sleepy.

ohh i would love to try this but im lactose intolerant

kitsch_k · #9 (**permalink**) 05-12-2007, 07:11 PM

well guys ever since i was a kid i always had sleeping problems..i guess i think too much...watching and reading is never effective because it gets my mind worked up and i always finish everything..my mind continues to runn!!!! haha..but thanks for all the suggestions guys..i really appreciate it..i know i can take pills but i want to do this as naturally as i can. im thinking of not doing too much stressful things in the evening so i wont get that adrenalin rush...hopefully im much more calm and collected so i can sleep earlier

its really about the thinking..hehe.writing my thoughts do help a lot

Fizz · #10 (**permalink**) 05-14-2007, 01:11 PM

Well, looks like we are a lot alike. I've always been that way myself. At night when everything gets quite my brain gets full. Benadryl comes with it's own problems, can make you just feel all around icky through the day. I think your right, you need a natural solution, unfortunately I don't know what that would be.

britjojo · #11 (**permalink**) 05-15-2007, 03:09 PM

If over active mind is the problem, then there are many, highly successful meditation techniques that you could try. This page here;
Sleep, meditation, transcedental meditation, visualization, guided imagery, meditation for insomnia, sleep disorders, insomnia, sleep apnea, narcolepsy, RLS, Alternative therapies, mind-body medicine, integrative therapies
has a guided mediation method that might help you relax. Personally I find that visualisation works for me, and all that takes is to have a special 'place' in your mind that you can imagine, to take yourself too.

kitsch_k · #12 (**permalink**) 05-19-2007, 06:17 PM

oh britjojo thank you for those links....

im always open to new suggestions.

britjojo · #13 (**permalink**) 05-19-2007, 07:00 PM

Don't get me wrong, the technique can take a lot of learning before it works for you, but I have been using it with success now for about 6 years. Once you know your 'place' in your mind that you go to when you meditate, it becomes much easier.

kitsch_k · #14 (**permalink**) 05-19-2007, 07:15 PM

i think this is a really good idea...i know my insomnia stems from my lack of capacity to medidate...i need to have that 'peace' in my mind

i do hope i achieve this - eventually

Fizz · #15 (**permalink**) 05-22-2007, 11:18 AM

You are bright and intelligent person, I think you will learn this technique with ease and soon you will be getting lots of sweet dreams.

kitsch_k · #16 (**permalink**) 05-23-2007, 09:26 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Fizz

You are bright and intelligent person, I think you will learn this technique with ease and soon you will be getting lots of sweet dreams.

oh dear u dont know how excited i am just looking forward to having sweet dreams again! LOL

britjojo · #17 (**permalink**) 05-23-2007, 08:28 PM

Don't take that excitement to bed! It is a sure fire way to make meditation fail! Lol, you need to pretend that sleep isn't an issue. That you aren't trying to sleep...... then sneek up on it.

Sorry, just being silly

kitsch_k · #18 (**permalink**) 05-24-2007, 01:41 PM

hahaha i actually try that sometimes..like convincing myself that its just sleeping..no big deal..u know..haha..but then i still stay awake and i just laugh at my own silly trick! haha

carebear · #19 (**permalink**) 05-30-2007, 05:59 PM

Don't fill your stomache too full before bed.

Stop the caffine around 1pm.

Go for a walk after dinner.

Read before bed. Usually a boring book.

Get up in the morning around the same time and go to bed at the same time.

If you've done all this then I would recomend a doctor.

DianneMK · #20 (**permalink**) 05-30-2007, 08:07 PM

Kitsch I have been sleepless on many nights.Sometimes I had one week where I just couldn't turn my brain off.I finally went and bought some Sominex.Woo.After I took my pill,10 minutes later my eyelids became really heavy.But I did manage to sleep.So be extra careful if you decide to get something to help you.If you continue to have many sleepless nights,have your doctor prescribe Ambien.I have never tried it,but I think it is fairly safe.

DianneMK · #21 (**permalink**) 05-30-2007, 08:08 PM

I think Ambien is the one on commercials with the glowing butterfly.

kitsch_k · #22 (**permalink**) 05-31-2007, 09:46 AM

actually guys i have good news to all of you..thanks to valiums ive been living a very normal life lately. it's just a minimal dose so its nothing harmful. its just to keep me back on my feet. once i get everything regulated again i stop...

dont worry about me getting addicted because ive already proven to myself that i can stop whenever i want to

Fizz · #23 (**permalink**) 05-31-2007, 10:06 AM

kitsch don't you dare tell us not to worry about you, that is a waste of your time. We care about you so of course we are going to worry. But we also know your a smart cookie and your going to take care of yourself. Right?

britjojo · #24 (**permalink**) 06-05-2007, 12:57 AM

I am glad you are sleeping better-lack of sleep can cause so many problems. Just be careful girl, ok?

kitsch_k · #25 (**permalink**) 06-05-2007, 07:23 AM

thanks for the concern guys...im being careful with the things i take..im afraid of getting overdosed or something. its just the things we do to get by...

kitsch_k · #26 (**permalink**) 06-08-2007, 07:52 AM

just an update guys! ive stopped taking anything to induce sleeping..i guess lately ive had peace of mind and am very drained at work so it works to my advantage..the minute i go home i get sleepy already. YIPEEEE!! thanks for all the help guys!!!

Fizz · #27 (**permalink**) 06-08-2007, 10:22 AM

I'm glad to hear that you quit taking the valium. I understood why you were taking it, but I was concerned. I'm also glad your mind is feeling peaceful. I hope you still work on learning to meditate though.

kitsch_k · #28 (**permalink**) 06-12-2007, 12:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Fizz

I'm glad to hear that you quit taking the valium. I understood why you were taking it, but I was concerned. I'm also glad your mind is feeling peaceful. I hope you still work on learning to meditate though.

thanks fizz!! im so glad to have you here as a friend!! support means A LOT to me

Fizz · #29 (**permalink**) 06-12-2007, 01:06 PM

That is so sweet of you to say, but not suprised you are such a sweet person. You are one of the main reasons this is such a great forum.

littlecat123 · #30 (**permalink**) 06-15-2007, 03:19 PM

I work nights and sleep days and these are some of the things I do to help get to sleep and stay asleep:

No caffiene with less than 4 hours until I'm going to bed.
Ear plugs (always)
Fan (white noise, cool breeze)
Eat some carbs before bed (to induce a carb coma -- lol)

When I can't sleep and I really need to, I take a Benadryl. Its not addictive. But sometimes it gives me a hangover the next morning.

kitsch_k · #31 (**permalink**) 06-23-2007, 02:59 PM

i tried benadryl once too..but same as you..i got a funny feelingthe next morning

Fizz · #32 (**permalink**) 06-25-2007, 11:41 AM

My husband has extreme allergies and won't take benadryl, unless he absolutely has to because of those side effects, it just really takes a toll on you.

Barbara · #33 (**permalink**) 06-27-2007, 10:30 AM

kitsck have you ever tryed simply sleep? I take it and it really helps alot.It is put out by Tylenol.

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