I don't want to take pills, have done that and they don't really work all that great. My problem is that a lot of times my mind just won't shut up and thoughts keep racing through not allowing me to relax and fall asleep.
Does anyone have any tips for me? and I can't stand warm milk so that one is out too.
Better start relaxing part by part of your body, by mesmerising that you are relaxing the part. See the effect and write in the forum.When you do this concentrate on the part of body you are relaxing.
Get Dr. Schulze's nerve formula, it works for me, last night I got up at 1:20 am to take it. www.herbdoc.com (make sure you open Dr. Shchulze's official website)
Sometimes if you buy a couple of different kinds of raw unfiltered honey it may help. It don't always help me, but sometimes it gives me a good sleep.
When you mind is racing and keeping you from sleep, try gabbing a pen and paper and start writing. It's obvious that this is the time you're at your creative best, when there are no other things going on around you to disturb your thought.
Don't get on the internet during this time, there are too many distractions. You want to be a published writer then this is the time to create.
Normally...I wouldn't suggest such a thing...but if no one else's suggestions work...you may want to try this one:
Drink heavily!
Read Until You Pass Out, Thats What I usually Do, Anything That Doesn't Include Harsh Light, Like TV Or The Net. Those Keep You Up Extra.
Strangely enough (or maybe not strangely at all), I've developed a "trigger" that knocks me right out every time, and that is "body position". There are times (like recent months when financial survival was in question) when shutting the mind off is not that easy for me either. Right side, left side, on my back, mind keeps cranking. But belly down, and I'm out like a light.
'Course, there could be a simple explanation, like maybe I'm just ramming my nose so far into the mattress that there's no more oxygen to the brain and I'm knocking myself out. Though temporarily so far, not like David Carradine....
lol I hope you aren't knocking yourself out Ghost that wouldn't be good. and I've tried to sleep on my stomach but I just can't do it...I got these things on my chest that constantly get in the way and hurts lmao
Crazdwriter,
Trust me on this one please!
1. Put on a candle and lay on your bed
2. Sip on a Double Johnny Walker Black scotch on the rocks
3. Listen to this piece of music that will melt your heart
(Chopin's nocturne in D flat major (linked enclosed ~ played by Lang Lang on his Carnegie Hall debut)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e0d1l91tGbI
Enjoy and sweet dreams!
I'd rather not advice you to cry, but it would most certainly help.
What helps me is a good glass of inexpensive Argentinian Médoc.
The milk doesn't have to be warm. It's the Tryptophan in the milk that makes it work. Try peanut butter too(also has tryptophan)........a glass of milk and 1/2 piece of toast spread with peanut butter before bed usually does the trick, along with a little reading before lights out, a heating pad on cold feet and a very dark room to promote the production of serotonin (a neuro-transmitter that regulates sleep), necessary to fall asleep and stay asleep.
Tryptophan is converted to serotonin, thats why milk, hot or cold, works.
Try some breathing exercises. That will help you sleep well by calming your nerves/mind/body. good luck!
Do you exercise a lot? The more physical activity you do during the day, the easier it is to sleep.
sadly marshall I do not hubby and I are looking into going to a gym but it keeps getting pushed down on our list. I know I know bad us
Well, it's not bad. I just think it would help you sleep better even in you just go on a 30 minute jog or something of the sort.
I can totally relate. I took Tylenol PM to get to sleep at night for 10 years. NOT a good idea. The Tylenol is not good for your liver, and the sleep aid impacts memory and interferes with dream sleep.
I've had good results with melatonin in the past. Recently had Skullcap recommended by my massage therapist.
I'm in San Antonio TX and we have Sun Harvest "Health Food Store". Their employees are very knowledgable and helpful. I would go someplace like there, Vitamin Shoppe etc and ask for a non-drug sleep aid.
This happens due to excessive work load whih result into tension.
I feel taking pills is not good idea.
You need to spend time with your family and friend.
Try to manage your work load.
Meditation can be helpful.
thanks Sarvai I'll have to try that tonight if once again my brain doesn't shut up.
I hope so too. I'll let you know by tomorrow if it helped me at all by doing this. thanks again!
You may have anxiety issues that you do not resolve during the day. This is why I had trouble getting to sleep at night. I would bottle up all my issues from the day and I would run them through my mind at night. Maybe you should try venting more. I have adult ADD, so I take meds during the day, and I have no trouble sleeping at night. But, if you don't want to take meds, try working through your issues with people who will listen. It is just a thought.
I take two of the Tylenol PMs every night about two hours before bed, and I'm out like a light. I know it's a bad habit but now I'm kind of hooked on the supposedly non-addictive boogers.
Too many NSAIDs are bad for your stomach. You should take a nighttime sleep aid without the tylenol, it works the same, but without the pain med.
lol I love when ppl say meds isn't non-addicitive. Sorry you got addicted, pgrundy
Thanks everyone for the advice. I totally appreciate it. I hope that I find SOMETHING soon that'll help.
And you too kmackey32!
If most of your thoughts are to do with a story you're writing try getting into bed, closing your eyes and imagining a scene. Just one scene. Pick it and stick with it. Don't let yourself reach for your pad and pen either because you'll ruin it. Pick a scene that you already know fairly well (i.e. not one that you're likely to edit in your head as you go). What you should find is that if you are actually tired your imagined scene should start to develop all on its own without any conscious effort. That's where imagining a scene ends and dreaming begins. I find it works wonders for me.
If none of the above advice (from myself and the others) helps you it would be a good idea to speak to your doctor.
Sadly Dave I do try that where I stick with one scene and go with it but then my body doesn't relax and I still can't sleep. It's really weird.
And yea I think it's time to talk to a doctor. It's getting out of hand. I know when I don't sleep at times it's because my husband is gone but when he is here...other ideas and thoughts race through my mind.
I have anxiety & panic disorder & ADD. I don't take meds for the ADD as the anxiety meds help it (weird but true). I'd talk to your doctor about a medication called trazedone, its not like Lunesta or Ambien (neither worked for me). Trazedone is an old anti-depressant that really doesn't work for depression, but works great for sleep.
BUT, before you try these, check out this website http://www.healthjourneys.com/ I use Belleruth Naparstek's guided imagery & meditation cd's. They are awesome. A bit spendy, but well worth it. I still need sleep medication, but her cds really help me with the run-on-thinking at night, before the medication kicks in. They are also great during the daytime to quiet my mind when I'm overly anxious. Helps you to breathe.
Benedryl is the ingredient in Tylenol PM that makes you sleep. You could try that too.
I have had a very similar insomnia issue that you described and I found Gurgevich's Hypnosis CD Deep Sleep Medical Hypnosis really really helpful. It helped me learn how to sleep again. Like you I didn't want to take sleeping pills or valerian or any of that stuff. Within two weeks of listening to the cd every night (it did help me fall asleep the very first night) I had relearned my sleep patterns.
It really taught me how to relax my mind and my body and to just let sleep happen. I can't recommend it enough.
If you wake up in the middle of the night, the great thing is you can listen to it again (Unlike sleeping pills) and it'll help you calm down at 3:30 to get more sleep.
Now if I think I can't settle down, I do a "booster" and listen to it again. Sometimes in the afternoon to sort of calm me down, so when night comes I'm not all jazzed up.
A pleasant "side effect" is that I think I'm calmer during the day.
Best wishes to you, not sleeping is the pits.
The best thing you can do is decide when it is that you are going to bed. Lets say 11:45pm as an example.
Then turn your TV, your laptop and any other similar stimulating devices (e.g. PSP, DS or Mobile Phone) off at 10:45pm.
Spend one hour just sitting their reflecting on your day and thinking about tomorrow, whatever you do DONT switch any of those devices back on.
Your mind should now be suitably ready for sleep. Also, never use your laptop or watch tv in the bedroom. Make sure that you associate your bedroom with nothing but sleep.
Only drink water for 90 minutes before your pre arranged bed time.
You have to be strict with yourself, but its sound like me that you go to bed far to stimulated.
I do the same thing often, I know how to sort it out.... I just dont seem willing enough at the moment!
thanks ryan I'll have to try that. and 11:45pm? lol is that the time you go to bed?
And yes I'll have to remember to switch my devices off that might help a bit, seeing those off might shut my brain down. hopefully. Sounds like we both need to find a way to shut our brains down and quick too.
11:45pm? lol... your kidding right?
Its 03:34am right now where I am!
I agree with what Ryan suggested. Make sure you turn off all electronics long before bed. Your last activity of the day shouldn't involve things that stimulate your brain. Avoid chocolate, caffeine, etc. even in the late afternoon. Try aromatherapy, either an aromatherapy pillow, or candle. Try taking a bath. And drink some hot tea
Avoid chocolate? NOOO I can't I can't lol I will have to try the aromatherapy pillow. that sounds really nice. And I've tried the bath...sometimes it works and sometimes it doesn't. And hot tea sounds nice. I have PLENTY of that.
Yes avoid chocolate
I got my pillow at Bed Bath & Beyond, it is one that you can heat as well. But I've also seen others, and sprays for your pillow. Try the hot tea too, (no caffeine!).
what about going to bed with a good book - read 1 to 2 pages and you should be out like a light...works for me - that is until about 3am and then it is time to have another read...or not...cheers
Thanks ajcor and lita...for some reason sometimes it does work and sometimes it doesn't which is really weird. and no TV in the room so I can't watch TV while in bed. That does help when I am down at my parents house because they have a TV in their guest room, but not here. Might have to think of that one.
And yes I definitely want natrual sleeping aides, Lita, definitly not drugs.
and LMAO poetryman...just one drink and I would be drunk. Sadly I am a light weight lol
You should probably look at your overall habits. Like, do you exercise during the day? Even some walking, I think can help. We were not meant to be sedentary, and exercise helps with much. I can attest to that.
Also, I'm unusual. Watching TV (which isn't the same for me as reading), actually relaxes me. I often fall asleep watching it...maybe because I'm not that interested in the usual stuff that's on. Others, however (most), say that reading a bit before bed as a ritual will induce sleep.
I'd try to avoid any drugs, etc., if I could and find a natural way.
Have you ever tried Valerian root or Melatonin? 5-HTP helps also, but those two are specifically for sleep and are Herbal, all natural. I give Melatonin to my 10 year old because he is ADHD and he can't "Stop his brain from thinking" as he puts it. A teacher at his school suggested it. It has worked pretty well for him. Meditation helps but it takes a while to get to the point where you can "empty your mind"...some people take months, some never get there. There are relaxation techniques as well. Good luck!!
There is? I've only tried one type then I guess it wasn't that good. My brother gave it to me to try...I mean it wasn't bad but it just wasn't my tastes. I'll have to check out the other kinds, thanks tksensei. Any stores you have in mind where I can find good sake?
oh wow I can't remember...but I am into minty tastes if they have one that is more minty.
Oh and I live in Anaheim, California
Hmmm...maybe start here
http://local.yahoo.com/info-28411434-su … 3wNlIaPGoL
and ask for info on where to pick up some Umeshu (Ooo meh shoe). That might be more to your liking. No need to warm it, but you could mix it with club soda or a carbonated juice for a more 'cocktail' type of experience, though I recommend just enjoying it chilled.
You could also ask for Shochu, though I guess you would probably want to mix it with OJ or something sweet to get the taste you like (from what you've told me).
Will definitely check out that website. Thanks tskensei I appreciate it.
Do you take vitamins? I have helped myself sleep by taking vitamins like Centrum on a regular basis. I take them in the morning so they wont keep me up at night though. I would take them everyday if I could afford to buy them. Sad I cant afford $20 bottle of vitamins, lol. I have tried everything to sleep. I do not sleep in this house. Don't ask me why, but If I go somewhere else, I sleep. I mean I always have puffy eyes since I moved in this house. I guess I sleep maybe an hour or two a night but mostly toss and turn. I have to leave and go elsewhere when I start getting strange acting. I have even taken Chlortrimiton (sp) and it doesn't work.
You can't sleep in your house? That is really intersting....wonder if you are sensing something differnt about the house that is preventing your sleep. You might want to check out the history of the house and get someone to check out the foundation of the house.
Prob a ghost in here or something, lol. Yeah this house isn't what I would call cozy. I was reading what someone said in the thread here about electricity and so I unplugged my stuff and moved it and then moved my bed in the middle of the room away from the wall to see if there may have been some electricity in the wall keeping me up. I didn't hardly sleep at all last night. Maybe I am nervous here, don't know.
I didn't read every post so I hope I'm not repeating anything. I have SAD, which is seasonal affect disorder. Because of that, I oversleep in the winter. THen, in the spring, I get incredible insomnia. I spend several weeks sleeping between 2-4 hours a day. Then until fall, I have a circadium rhythm problem. That is my natural sleep cycle is knocked off balance, making it diffiuclt for me to sleep before 2-4 am, regardless of what time I wake up or how tired I am. I don't really fight it (occaisionally, I will medicate for the SAD which can cause me to sleep between 16-20 hours), instead I keep myself busy until I actually get tired, and then sleep comes naturally and fully. Eventually I can pull back the circadiam rhythm to its normal cycle by doing that (since I still have to wake up on time). I don't like to medicate and only use it when absolutely necessary. Good luck.
For those of you who can't shut off your minds:
When your mind is racing, you are thinking or worrying, you use beta brainwaves which is what prevents you from falling asleep.
You need to cut your beta brainwaves so you won't be able to think. For some people that is enough to go to sleep. I prefer to add an alpha kick, and sleep within minutes.
Alpha, theta and delta brainwaves are good for sleeping, beta is counterproductive.
Now you probably wonder how to do this. See my profile, here at hub, if you want more information.
I had a friend that had this problem a couple of months ago and she found out that her hormones were out of balance. Within a week she was sleeping soundly.
hehehe it's okay Ghost no worries. been sleeping okay the past few nights so hopfeully it stays that way
Increase the scotch, forget the candle, you'll be up all night worrying about the fire. Single malt Glenlivet dont bruise it with ice cubes
LOL thanks guys but I don't drink so that wouldn't work for me. I do drink on VERY rare occasions but I am not much of a drinker so won't be drinking before bed.
But if you take our advice about the scotch you’d sleep more often then when you didn’t sleep it would be a rare occasion and you could drink …see it all works out.
I've tried Scotch once and nope not my kind of drink sorry. and no not an accoassion I would consider it rare enough to drink. I want sleep not a headache in the morning from drinking.
advice from a very expierenced drinker. Water before bed will stop the headaches........BUT after the scotch or whatever.
Maybe I'll try it once with a glass of wine but if doesn't help then no more drinking before bed for me
way past drinking hour here, In sunny Fla we start it around noonish which in the sticks where I am is about 9:20, just popped another top.
Well then since it's too early for me in Cali even though I know as the song goes it's 5 o'clock somehwere lmao, have a drink for me too.
Stop being a bad influence....I've had four since I got roped into this string
I have the Wii work out games 2 of them actually...does that count? lol
Haha, sure. If you play enough, it's bound to make a difference. I have DDR and the harder modes provide a pretty solid workout.
If I don't kill myself trying to stay on the Wii board thing lol
I do have another suggestion. When I was younger, I used to always make dream pillows filled with different herbs and flowers. The aroma was very soothing, and it really helped me go to sleep. In fact, I think I'll make a hub right now about How to Make a Dream Pillow. I'll let you know when it's done if you are interested.
Very interested Marshall defintely let me know when you do write the hub
The hub is finished and can be found at http://hubpages.com/hub/SweetDreams. I think you may have to copy and paste the link or you can access this page from my profile. Enjoy!
That's weird, it says the same thing when i try to click on it. You can get to my hub if you go to my profile and click on latest. I think it works, too, if you copy and paste the link?
The hub is there..just the forum link does not work! Nice hub!
I read it...I tried writing a comment but for some reason HP won't let me and it's really p*ssing me off.
Try melatonin, its a natural remedy you can find in any health food store, or even your local grocery store most likely.
I was going to suggest a captain morgan but this should work also:)
by Electro-Denizen 11 years ago
Why do problems always seem greater in the middle of the night?Is there some physiological condition behind this mind frame that occurs in the middle of the night? e.g. low blood sugar level. Or some more esoteric reason? Or is it because psychological defenses are low? The mind is clearly churning...
by Pov 13 years ago
Why can't sleep at night, if I read books a lot at the day?At the day I like read newspaper, books, magazines because I want to know hot news that is happening. my reading make me can't sleep at night and make me very tired in the morning. can you tell me solution?
by thekidandblue 15 years ago
I've been having trouble sleeping recently. Has anyone got any tips for a good nights rest. Many thanks in advance.
by Cindy Vine 12 years ago
How can you stop leg cramps during the night?
by rlaha 13 years ago
What do you do when you can't sleep and you know you need to wake up early the next morning?
by Chitrangada Sharan 10 years ago
Do you switch off your mobile phone, when you go to sleep at night?
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