I've got a nasty case of insomnia - first time this has ever happened to me. I lie awake until about 1-2 am then manage a light cat nap, then I'm awake again at 5-6 am. I feel like a zombie. I'm pretty active during the day and normally sleep like a rock for a solid 7-8 hours, so WTF?
Post by captainmel on Jul 28, 2013 19:35:38 GMT -5
I am sorry for you. Insomnia is the worst. No caffeine 8 hours before bedtime, try an eye mask, keep your room cool but your blankets warm.
I pretty constantly have insomnia problems but sometimes when I wake up in the middle of the night I can lie down and start with my toes working my way up and "shutting down" each bit of my body. Releasing all the energy that gets contained. If this continues though, get some ambian. It is the only way I can function.
I've tried working out (3x a week at 4:30 pm), baths, meditation. My eyelids get heavy, but I just can't turn off. My thoughts are running a mile a minute. That's probably textbook stress, right? I spent today trying to whittle down my to-do list in the hopes that it relieves some of that chatter.
I've tried working out (3x a week at 4:30 pm), baths, meditation. My eyelids get heavy, but I just can't turn off. My thoughts are running a mile a minute. That's probably textbook stress, right? I spent today trying to whittle down my to-do list in the hopes that it relieves some of that chatter.
Yep, textbook stress. What type of meditation have you tried? Do you listen to soothing music or nature sounds? Insomnia is the worst, and most things I used to try for it didn't work. Working 2 jobs, both 30hrs/wk is what cured me, mostly.
I can make suggestions but first I want to know what type of meditation. Also, do you have a bedtime routine? If so, what is it? How long before bed do you shut off electronics?
Are you open to aromatherapy? I have a fabulous lavender-scented Yankee Candle that I light a couple hours before bed so that when I go to bed I can blow it out, but my whole room still smells like lavender. I've seen a good lavender-scented candle at Target, but can't remember the brand.
I basically just concentrate on my breathing. Which...doesn't work. I like to read before bed, but FI has to watch TV. Normally it's boring TV though, and I don't think it's the culprit since its never interfered before.
I'm not a fan of candles since open flames stress me out. Yeah, I know. I have a sleepytime linen spray somewhere.
What I like about the Yankee Candle is that it's in a glass jar, so that feels safer to me. But there may be some type of reed diffuser that could work.
I find that guided meditation and/or guided visualization is much more helpful when someone has racing thoughts. I have a few HiveBrain self-hypnosis apps that are pretty awesome and some of them are free. If you look online I think you can find lots of those, and they can really help. Even just listening to rainfall or crickets or the ocean (maybe with headphones) can help you feel more settled...sounds that are soothing to you.
I've been taking drugs regularly for... 9 years...
I am also having a sleep study done soon.
What's going on Mel?[/quothour ] No one knows! It is driving me crazy. My mom has apnea and that's what they're testing for in my sleep study that's coming up soon.
I wake up 3-4 times a night to pee, I wake up at 4 am almost every night and then I am just awake for a few hours after that, then I finally make it back to sleep an hour before I need to wake up. I try to go to sleep at 9pm and wake up at 8 am and it is always a struggle to wake up after 11 hours of sleep. I also almost never feel refreshed when I wake up in the morning.
Bowies, I vote for you waking his ass up, just to get you off. After a major orgasm do you ever feel sleepy?
Mel, I hope you're able to get some answers from the sleep study.
I think for me I almost needed to outgrow my insomnia. It seems like I wore myself out with the two jobs and then something changed. I still have my nights, which is why I have all these relaxation things in place.
Post by captainmel on Jul 28, 2013 22:55:44 GMT -5
Bowies, I really hope you figure it out. Sometimes when my insomnia gets really bad I like to treat myself to a new eye mask or a new pillowcase. It makes me feel less resentful towards the bed.
Glad we can all get our sleep issues out there and into the open, LOL.
To answer questions - I rarely feel sleepy after an O. More like I want to go out and conquer the world/make a sandwich.
I have lists galore. I have lists of the lists I need to make. They are in multiple formats. It helps to a point. I don't feel TOO stressed about the wedding or my job or anything else. I mean, sure, it's more activity than normal, but I'm not overwhelmed, at least consciously. I organized some things last night and that seemed to help quiet my mind somewhat. I managed to fall asleep around midnight or shortly thereafter and remain asleep until 6ish.
It's usually pretty dark in the room, though there is a street light outside that turns on and off constantly. I turn my back to the windows until I'm asleep, then it doesn't bother me.
I have discovered that one of the dogs has very vivid dreams at night to the point of straight-up howling in the middle of the night. It's never woken me up before (and now I only know about it because I'm already awake). I'm guessing it's not Flapjack since he still hasn't barked. He does do a little harumph noise occasionally if someone is sitting in his spot.