What do you do when you can't sleep?

avz2azb

Lately I have so much on my mind that I can't sleep. I lie in bed hours (not exaggerating) before I can fall asleep. I have tried warm showers and baths before bed, cutting out caffeine during the day (although after a couple of weeks of this, caffeine is become a necessity during the day), and benadryl. I don't really want to take anything stronger, but I am running out of ideas. I have a long drive ahead of me next week. I want to be better rested before then. 

Ludenbelle

I have this problem all the time.  When it was really severe I would seriously only sleep for a total of 6-9 hours a week.  I would do laundry and clean or even shop at Walmart when I didn't have my son.  But if I needed to get actual rest, I would warm milk up on the stove and drink a full glass of that.  It usually helped me go to sleep within 20-30 minutes.

simplyus725

I read ... reading usually does it for me.

mustangsallie

I have the opposite problem lately (want to sleep all.the.time ) but when I used to have problems sleeping I would read or play computer games. TV doesnt work for me because I will stay awake if I get interested in the show. Maybe watch an infomerical, that might do it!

Sorry you have having trouble sleeping. Maybe you should just stay here

reynah

I used to have the same problem, bad! Working out hard after dinner always works! Try it, I bet it will work.

char-char

I'm sorry, I have the same problem right now and it is so difficult since I am even more tired being pregnant. If I wasn't pregnant then personally, I would have a glass or two of wine or something after dinner and that always seems to make it super easy to fall asleep. Not trying to encourage drinking, but I have done it before in the past just for the exact purpose of encouraging sleep when I have been particularly exhausted yet unable to sleep well.

I think that the idea of working out would obviously help too and might be a healthier option, ha!

Kim&Jim

Usually reading or watching TV will put me to sleep. 

Since you have so much on your mind, maybe if you keep a notepad and pen by your bed, you can jot down all the things that are running through your mind.  That way, you won't forget them in the morning and if you take comfort in that fact, you may be able to sleep?

Shan_te_xas

simplyus725:

I read ... reading usually does it for me.

I also read when I need to wind down.

Ludenbelle

I also agree with the working out.  I run on the treadmill until I feel like I'm going to pass out.  I did that for the past 15 years and it usually worked for me. 

CreamyMonster

Shan_te_xas:

simplyus725:

I read ... reading usually does it for me.

I also read when I need to wind down.

Same here.  I usually fall asleep with the book open in front of me. 

reynah

CreamyMonster:

Shan_te_xas:

simplyus725:

I read ... reading usually does it for me.

I also read when I need to wind down.

Same here.  I usually fall asleep with the book open in front of me. 

If you're anything like me, reading does the opposite. I usually can't put it down and end up reading until 2-3 in the morning and end up sleeping less. Whatever works for you though. I would give it all a try.

avz2azb

reynah:

CreamyMonster:

Shan_te_xas:

simplyus725:

I read ... reading usually does it for me.

I also read when I need to wind down.

Same here.  I usually fall asleep with the book open in front of me. 

If you're anything like me, reading does the opposite. I usually can't put it down and end up reading until 2-3 in the morning and end up sleeping less. Whatever works for you though. I would give it all a try.

I am like you reynah, I read the 4th Harry Potter book over the last few days after C went to bed.  

ibfloridagirl

i had trouble sleeping a couple years ago and i was told by my Dr, that music, books, tv are counterproductive when it comes to sleep because your mind is still trying to process or solve what it heard/saw/imagined well after you stop doing them.  She suggested white noise (like a baby, lol) or thunderstorm/beach waves cd and no caffeine (sp?) after 3pm and to keep a journal of sorts next to the bed, so when i had a million things running through my head i could write them down.  She compared it to being a computer and downloading everything to a disk and removing the disk so my mind would stop processing the info over and over and could focus on the task of sleeping.  She also suggested Simply Sleep by Tylenol for occasional use, it worked well for me.

GL, sorry for the novel! )

drunkenwife

If it's on the weekends (when Hubster has nighttime/morning baby duty), I'll take an ambien.  Once that kicks in I'm out!  :-)  

During the week I'll get up and play some Warcraft.  It doesn't exactly help me sleep, per se, but at least I feel like I'm accomplishing something (granted, I'm accomplishing quests in an imaginary world, but hey, it's fun!) 

avz2azb

ibfloridagirl:

i had trouble sleeping a couple years ago and i was told by my Dr, that music, books, tv are counterproductive when it comes to sleep because your mind is still trying to process or solve what it heard/saw/imagined well after you stop doing them.  She suggested white noise (like a baby, lol) or thunderstorm/beach waves cd and no caffeine (sp?) after 3pm and to keep a journal of sorts next to the bed, so when i had a million things running through my head i could write them down.  She compared it to being a computer and downloading everything to a disk and removing the disk so my mind would stop processing the info over and over and could focus on the task of sleeping.  She also suggested Simply Sleep by Tylenol for occasional use, it worked well for me.

GL, sorry for the novel! )

 

No thank you. That helps. I am going to start writing before bed. 

I really hope this all resolves itself once this stupid move is over.

laurenisgreat

I play solitaire on my phone... it helps me not think about anything but the game, and before I know it I'm out : )

Working out before bed might have to opposite effect too.  Because it speeds up everything in your body it might be better to workout in the afternoon or morning.  I was training for a triathlon and working out hard every morning, and by 8 or 9pm I would pass out as soon as my head hit the pillow.  

GL!!  This is a sucky problem to have to deal with : (