Insomnia :-(

[Littlemissteacherlady]

Hey guys...

Had a night of awful insomnia last night. If anyone has advice about how to just shut your brain off, I'd be really appreciative. I've slept like a baby throught the summer holidays, and now I'm about to back at school, things are chaotic again. I've been so positive about SA lately, using so many different techniques and really trying hard, but having no sleep makes it just so much harder.

Would love it if you could read my latest blog and give me feedback if poss! xxx

Back to school insomnia… littlemissteacherlady

 

[Seri]

I get insomnia a lot, sometimes I find that it's triggered by specific things.

For example once I had a bout of insomnia where I didn't get any sleep for about 3 days, and had to get some medication to conk me out each night. Eventually I figured out that it was because there was light from my new computer (which I left on) and that was what was keeping me awake. I covered all the light and now wear an eyemask, which finally let me sleep.

So if your insomnia is sudden, try seeing if anything has changed where you sleep, be it light, sound, maybe your bed, location, anything.

On the other hand it could also be stress (most of my insomnia is caused by this). I've heard that drinking milk can help make you sleepy, meditating before sleep to help calm your mind, soothing scents or scented pillows (I'm very sensitive to smell so I can't stand these).

One thing that I do is even if I can't sleep I'll stay in bed with my eyes closed for the whole night. Yes, it is boring as hell, but it means my body is still getting the rest that it needs so I won't feel completely zombie-like in the morning. Try making up a story, making lists, planning out or imagining the next day/whatever you want to pass the time.

Hope something there helps

Edit: As phocas mentioned music might help too. You might be able to find some tracks of rain or something which would probably be soothing.

 

[mikebird]

When in my working regime, 2200 to bed, up alert for 0600.

When out of work, after a few months, the creeps of bed after midnight set in, with nothing in mind to wake up for.

Worse is spending hours in bed unable to sleep, because my thoughts are rampant.

Empty days and bad structure make me feel really tired at random moments, needing shuteye. I lie down to relax, but within two minutes I'm up to go again, due to an active mind, like auto-caffiene

 

[Littlemissteacherlady]

Thank you so much to all of you. You've given me some great ideas to be going on with. I'm definitely going to try meditating for 5 minutes before bed, and will listen to some relaxing music if I get really stuck.

I feel like a zombie, but I'm trying to pay attention to my body language. Going to try my very best not to mention to anyone my lack of sleep/zombie status, and also challenging myself to act like I'm full of energy. This is going to be a real acting job! but I figure maybe I can trick myself into not being exhausted?!

Thanks again! xxx

 

[Aussie_Lad]

I am the king of getting a good sleep, here are my tips:

1) If you have thoughts racing through your mind, then write them down on a piece of paper. Then you won't forget about what you are thinking, but it no longer has the importance it once did. If you still cannot sleep see point 2 below.

2) If you wake up in the middle of the night and cannot get to sleep or you cannot sleep from the start then you need to give your brain something physical to work on for a while. Usually reading is a good option.

3) Try going to bed and getting up at the same time every day, even on weekends. This will give you a routine so your brain never has to guess what you want and you will naturally fall asleep when it's time.

4) Don't stress about lack of sleep. Even if you just lie there awake for 8 hours it's still better than being active during that time.

5) Everyone has a night every now and again where they won't sleep well. Just accept this as the way it is and try to get a better sleep the next night.