I need sleep training-for myself

hellopoppyseed

I think I posted something like this once before (probably last year at this time). I have a lot of trouble falling asleep quickly.  Since I'm up like 4 times a night, that makes for a lot of wasted time.  I told DH I have ADD-Attention Decorating Disorder. I just can't stop thinking about different decorating ideas or other random stuff.  My mind just keeps making jibber jabber.  I'm sure I'm sounding crazy about now but I even think through conversations with people that I've had, may have, may never have (with real people-not like other personalities :-). 

I've tried lots of things. I try to envision a stop sign and try thinking of nothing. I try breathing in positive thoughts and breathing out negative but the thoughts just led to thoughts. So now I breathe in and imagine bright colors and breathe out dark colors.  Sometimes I breathe in on a count to 4 and breathe out on a count to 4. But I usually just go back to thinking.  Obviously I go to sleep eventually but it's never in less than 20 min. I know my husband can fall asleep very quickly and it must be so nice for him (he seems not to have a care in the world). I think i'm a little jealous of him and people like this. Both boys are sleeping right now and I just lay down to nap and I could not get my mind to shut up!  It doesn't help when most of the time I try to nap when they do and it probably won't be more than 20 min so it just seems like a waste. But I want to learn to fall asleep fast, no matter how long I get to sleep.

Any ideas or help? I get so annoyed with myself because I think if I just learned to fall asleep quickly, I'd be much better off. 

norbert5

I do the breathing in for 4 out of 8.  This works better for me then even breathing.  I also try to keep the stimulation minimal.  Low lights, stay warm, etc. 

It is so irritating because my DH is the same way and I lay awake tossing and turning.

Stacyc625

Have you tried yoga or better yet Tai Chi? I have been doing Tai Chi for about 8yrs. Only thing that has kept me sane through law school & tax season and kids of course. I do it every night before bed.

hellopoppyseed

Stacyc625:

Have you tried yoga or better yet Tai Chi? I have been doing Tai Chi for about 8yrs. Only thing that has kept me sane through law school & tax season and kids of course. I do it every night before bed.

No but that sounds like a good idea. Is there a video? I really should do something like that. We've got both babies going to bed at 7 now so it's actually possible.

Stacyc625

hellopoppyseed:

Stacyc625:

Have you tried yoga or better yet Tai Chi? I have been doing Tai Chi for about 8yrs. Only thing that has kept me sane through law school & tax season and kids of course. I do it every night before bed.

No but that sounds like a good idea. Is there a video? I really should do something like that. We've got both babies going to bed at 7 now so it's actually possible.

this is a good one-

https://www.amazon.com/Element-Tai-Beginners-Samuel-Barnes/dp/B001KRCDRK/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1296166247&sr=8-1

you can check tai chi out online on youtube and see if it is something you think might be of interest- it is very relaxing. More so than yoga for me.

Yeah it makes a big difference getting them down for the night early. Chase is JUST starting to go down by 8pm. I can't wait until it is earlier.

hellopoppyseed

Stacyc625:

hellopoppyseed:

Stacyc625:

Have you tried yoga or better yet Tai Chi? I have been doing Tai Chi for about 8yrs. Only thing that has kept me sane through law school & tax season and kids of course. I do it every night before bed.

No but that sounds like a good idea. Is there a video? I really should do something like that. We've got both babies going to bed at 7 now so it's actually possible.

this is a good one-

https://www.amazon.com/Element-Tai-Beginners-Samuel-Barnes/dp/B001KRCDRK/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1296166247&sr=8-1

you can check tai chi out online on youtube and see if it is something you think might be of interest- it is very relaxing. More so than yoga for me.

Yeah it makes a big difference getting them down for the night early. Chase is JUST starting to go down by 8pm. I can't wait until it is earlier.

Thank you. I will look into it. You've reminded me that some physical activity would work some energy out.

sweetidrider22

i used to be the same way, constant "to do" list going on through my head when it's time to sleep. what works for me is what ever I'm thinking about to think it in a story or lil' movie and then before I know that's my dream and I'm sleeping.