What do you do when you can't sleep?

marymoon Posted: Apr 06, 2005 01:09 PM

What do you do when you can't sleep?

I've been having a really hard time sleeping lately.

I've slept 2 hours in each of the last nights, and I'd love to go to sleep right now, but I just can't sleep

Summerbride04 Posted: Apr 06, 2005 01:12 PM

Re: What do you do when you can't sleep?

Have you tried taking Benadryl?

RedHead Posted: Apr 06, 2005 01:14 PM

Re: What do you do when you can't sleep?

Try:
1. exercising
2. listening to relaxing music
3. reading
4. taking a hot bath

I am really bad with my sleeping and what really works for me the best is COUNTING! YES COUNTING..
sounds stupid but it works!

Last resort...Tylenol PM's

marymoon Posted: Apr 06, 2005 01:15 PM

Re: What do you do when you can't sleep?

yeah, I take tylenol PM sometimes., but the thing is it's an antihistamine and I already take antihistamines separately AND there's a lot of acetaminophen in it, which is pretty bad to take if you don't need it

Shorty McBride Posted: Apr 06, 2005 01:19 PM

Re: What do you do when you can't sleep?

I know exactly how you feel.

You can't sleep, but you're so tired that looking at the computer hurts, TV can't hold your attention, etc., right?

This always happens when I have a lot on my mind. I wake up in the morning, extremely irritable, unrested, and looking like death. I want to sleep all day because I'm up all night. It feels like depression.

I tried taking Nyquil a few times, but it has the reverse effect on me. It makes me really hyper!

I tried some other sleeping pills (can't remember the name), but I overslept in the morning (never even HEARD my alarm), and was rushed the rest of the day.

I've even tried putting some quiet music on - Norah Jones 'Come Away with Me,' but I found myself thinking about all the lyrics. Then I switched to 'sounds,' like rainforest, etc., but then I'd wonder what the noises were - like what kind of animal, etc.

I have such anxiety - only 1 thing works for me, but it's realllly cheesy. FH wrote something down for me the last time I was complaining about no sleep. It's your typical 'calm down, everything is going to be ok in the morning, i'm thinking about you, etc' - but for some reason, it's calming.

I guess what I'm trying to say is that you have to find your 'calm'. Whether it be music, words, etc.

It's hard, I really know how hard it is. .
Hang in there. We're all here if you need anything.

FeliciaDA Posted: Apr 06, 2005 01:20 PM

Re: What do you do when you can't sleep?

I agree with Red's suggestions... I am a horrible HORRIBLE sleeper and have constant bouts of insomnia, so I know how you feel and I can relate

You might also want to try Melatonin. It helps me sometimes, sometimes not .. but for some people it is really successful

ETA: Shorty, I also have adverse reactions to Nyquil - it totally WIRES ME

marymoon Posted: Apr 06, 2005 01:25 PM

Re: What do you do when you can't sleep?

I used to take melatonin actually. Docotr's orders to make sure I got enouugh sleep because I have a condition where rest is really important. But if I'm wired of anxious I just feel crappy and STILL can't sleep. I don't have work today and I want to sleep, but I'm afraid if I take something now I won't sleep tonight...I wsih i could just fall peacefullly asleep.

I like your suggestion, shorty...no matter what I ALWAYS sleep when i'm at FH's place. I want to go there tonight and sleep, but I have work in the morning, so I'll have to get up with him at 6am for him to drive me home..so maybe I'll get some rest over the weekend

Jax430 Posted: Apr 06, 2005 01:28 PM

Re: What do you do when you can't sleep?

I agree with Red's suggestion of counting..my sister taught me to count like this:..1, 100, 2, 99, 3, 98, 4, 97...etc..when you mess up, start over again..it really works for me!

RedHead Posted: Apr 06, 2005 01:29 PM

Re: What do you do when you can't sleep?

Posted by Jax430

I agree with Red's suggestion of counting..my sister taught me to count like this:..1, 99, 2, 98, 3, 97, 4, 96...etc..when you mess up, start over again..it really works for me!

I have tried that
I have also done alphabet games
thinking of boy,girl names, fruit, vegetables, states, countries for each of the alphabet letters

ya think i got a issue here

I tried the Melatonin..didn't do anything. I have also tried Ambien...NOTHING

But they are addictive and can build a tolerance so i am glad

Blu-ize Posted: Apr 06, 2005 01:42 PM

Re: What do you do when you can't sleep?

Reading...within 20 minutes I'm snoozing.

Donna&Joe708 Posted: Apr 06, 2005 01:44 PM

Re: What do you do when you can't sleep?

If I can't sleep I get out of bed and read for a while, that always helps me. Also, I'll have a cup of either chamomile or sleepytime tea.

Summerbride04 Posted: Apr 06, 2005 02:23 PM

Re: What do you do when you can't sleep?

Posted by Blu-ize

Reading...within 20 minutes I'm snoozing.

Yes that always works for me too!

Goldi1021 Posted: Apr 06, 2005 02:35 PM

Re: What do you do when you can't sleep?

I have a very hard time believing that NONE of you said SEX. It works for me.

nov04LIbride Posted: Apr 06, 2005 02:35 PM

Re: What do you do when you can't sleep?

I kick DH to wake him up to suffer with me.

Janice Posted: Apr 06, 2005 02:36 PM

Re: What do you do when you can't sleep?

Posted by Goldi1021

I have a very hard time believing that NONE of you said SEX. It works for me.

I did not want to say it...but nothing puts me out better than a big O

TracyInQueens Posted: Apr 06, 2005 02:38 PM

Re: What do you do when you can't sleep?

Posted by Donna&Joe708

If I can't sleep I get out of bed and read for a while, that always helps me. Also, I'll have a cup of either chamomile or sleepytime tea.

I used to do this too, and it would help. Though I think for me it was the whole process- I'd take a warm shower, fix a tray with the tea and maybe half an English muffin or something small to nibble, and sit in bed and watch tv. It helped me unwind, especially when I was teaching night school and didn't get home until 9 during the week. I need to start doing that again, because I have been relying on Nyquil way too much lately.

Preshy7 Posted: Apr 06, 2005 02:39 PM

Re: What do you do when you can't sleep?

eat, lol!
ill put the tv on- that usually does the trick.
or ill go on the computer

Moehick Posted: Apr 06, 2005 02:40 PM

Re: What do you do when you can't sleep?

Come on LIW and post, post, post!!

heidla Posted: Apr 06, 2005 02:43 PM

Re: What do you do when you can't sleep?

My schedule is so screwed up. One day I work until 4am 2 days later I am up at 5am. My body is never knows what time to wake and when to sleep. I have found that melatonin works really great for me. It puts me to sleep and I wake up refreshed the next day ,not groggy.