NIGHTMARE!! Cant Sleep.. Help Please..

[jacksondonut]

H E L P

For the past few months its been getting harder and harder to sleep properly at night... From not being able to drop off initially, to being awake nearly every hour, on the hour is soul-destroying and exhausting. Coupled with the hot weather of the last few weeks it has been driving me to distraction. The only time I sleep is if I have worn myself out physically that night..

Have tried Nytol once, but found that it made me feel very strange the next morning... didnt like that at all.

Would be so grateful if anyone has any tips/advice for me..

Thankyou
Jan

[Aleks]

There's a thread about this somewhere....

Lavender on your pillow...
Soak in bath before bed...
Establish a 'routine' that takes at least 15 mins before you go to bed so your body knows it's definitely bed time...
Write down the stuff that's keeping your brain whirling....

to mention just a few.

[LMC]

There's a thread about this somewhere....

Right here

[Aleks]

Thank you!

[Tessalicious]

H E L P

For the past few months its been getting harder and harder to sleep properly at night... From not being able to drop off initially, to being awake nearly every hour, on the hour is soul-destroying and exhausting. Coupled with the hot weather of the last few weeks it has been driving me to distraction.

Poor Jan - I know the feeling though, and it's a horrible one. At the moment I think It's difficult for everyone, I see people who are normal bright and cheerful being groggy, and know it's because of the heat. However, that probably isn't the only reason for you, if it's been going on for months.

The only time I sleep is if I have worn myself out physically that night..

Well the only thing for it is to wear yourself out physically every night - I assume that you were talking about dancing here?

Have tried Nytol once, but found that it made me feel very strange the next morning... didnt like that at all.

Would be so grateful if anyone has any tips/advice for me..

For chronic or this kind of long-term acute problem sleeping pills are the last thing you need. I don't know your situation that well, but a couple of tips for you - try not going to bed until you are really really tired one night, but setting your alarm for as early the next morning as you would like to be awake. Then get up with the alarm, whether you've slept well or not - don't lie in, or have any naps that day. Repeat - won't be long before your body gives in and allows you to be sleepy at a sensible time for you to get a decent amount of sleep before the alarm (and try to keep the alarm time as constant as possible).

If that's a bit harsh for you (and believe me, it is tough to do to yourself) then trying some gentle sleep assisting remedies can help - including lavender baths (warm, not hot), lavender scent on your pillow, soothing music (and I don't mean music you'd do blues to either ) and making sure that you turn the computer, and preferably the TV off at least an hour before bed, and if you're going to read, try not to do it in bed for a few weeks. Make sure your room is a comfortable temperature - invest in an extra fan if you have to - and if your man is snoring, ban him to the spare room for one night so you can get some proper sleep.

Hope some of that helps - if you want any more advice, feel free to PM me.

[Twirly]

I'd go and have a chat to your doctor in case there is something medical going on. Once that has been ruled out you can look at techniques to help you sleep.

Also, avoid caffeine in the afternoon/evening (I don't drink even tea after 6pm).

I sometimes take Kalms tablets if I'm having trouble sleeping - much more gentle than Nytol. Or chamomile tea.

Don't use too much lavender - it can keep you awake if you overdo it. One or two drops on your pillow is fine, but don't use it in the bath as well.

Remove any electronic devices from near the bed - I moved my digital alarm clock away and it helped. Combination of the light from the display and a low-level hum/static electricity it gives off. Same with having a telephone extension by the bed.

And don't go to bed unless you are sleepy - no point in tossing and turning thinking you ought to have an early night. Get up and do something useful. Apparently you're supposed to just associate bed with sleep (not reading or watching TV - I'll let you make your own mind up about other activities! )

I'm an inveterate insomniac (it does have it's advantages - don't really get jet-lag as am usually knackered anyway!). If you want to PM me with more details I'll pass on any other info that seems relevant. I did some study on it a while back, so have a few bits of info.

[Cruella]

Sleeping pills will only help to get you to sleep initially so if you are waking up during the night they won't be a lot of use. Make sure you don't have any form of caffeine during the evening either. Personally reading in bed makes me fall asleep but then i don't have a problem sleeping unless i'm away on a weekender or something. I then use earplugs and an eyemask which does help.

[David Bailey]

There's another thread on sleeping here - some tips available.

[Dreadful Scathe]

caffeine makes no difference to my sleep, nor does cheese. Do i have too much then ?


Ive never had a problem sleeping so i cant imagine how annoying that would be. Hope you get it sorted. You could always scroll through all of Gregs posts? That my help.

[Chicklet]

story tapes

Paul Temple and the Alex Affair works WONDERFULLY.

I have had it playing last thing at night for months and by Timothy I still don't know who the dashed villain is.

[Yliander]

Chamomile Tea - is a natural sleep assist - works so well for me - I can't drink it anytime bed isn't an option in 20 minutes or so

warm milk is also a natural sleep assist - something to do with enzymes and being warmed

[Dreadful Scathe]

How about warm milk, sex, 200 press ups, and 3 chapters of War and Peace? That may work but Ive not tried it.

[Cruella]

How about warm milk, sex, 200 press ups, and 3 chapters of War and Peace? That may work but Ive not tried it.

I've tried 1 out of the 4. It works well to aid sleep but i really don't like the taste when it's warm!

[philsmove]

Some sensible advice here


I suspect you will not like this but

Refrain from exercise at least 4 hours before bedtime
Regular exercise is recommended to help you sleep well, but the timing of the workout is important. Exercising in the morning or early afternoon will not interfere with sleep.

Sorry but Dancing into the night is not going to help

[WittyBird]

Would be so grateful if anyone has any tips/advice for me..

Didn't I give you some great tips when I stayed on Sunday night

[Twirly]

Some sensible advice here


I suspect you will not like this but

Refrain from exercise at least 4 hours before bedtime
Regular exercise is recommended to help you sleep well, but the timing of the workout is important. Exercising in the morning or early afternoon will not interfere with sleep.

Sorry but Dancing into the night is not going to help

Hmm, maybe someone should start early morning Ceroc classes? Jim-jams to be worn...

[Donna]

I've tried 1 out of the 4. It works well to aid sleep but i really don't like the taste when it's warm!

[PeteK]

Milk, Horlicks and a Banana (all blended together in a smoothie) works for me... Must admit I quite like to beef it up with a goodly slug of rum

[WittyBird]

Banana

Similar sort of advice but not the eating kind

[Lory]

Poor Jan

I will willingly lend you my copy of the 'users manual guide' to the multi media package in my car. I never last more than 2 chapters and its about 500pages long!