Insomia halp?

[solestria]

I've been suffering from insomnia the past week-and-a-half. I've managed one night with nine hours of sleep, but the rest have been more like 6 or 7, which is not a sustainable amount for me. The past couple nights have been better as far as getting to sleep, but I'm waking up early in the morning--it was 3am last night--and having trouble

Comments

[alandd]

I look forward to hearing what you find that works. I've talked to 3-4 other people who have had the same problem in the last month or less!

What worked for me - I am pretty sure you're not going to do this - was Nyquil, for ~3 nights, which seems to have reset my clock since I didn't use it last night or (I think) the night before, and I slept ok last night, roughly midnight - 8am. Woo hoo!

"They say" that fresh air and exercise work well - I can't speak to that. I haven't heard the term 'sleep hygiene' before but it's been recommended to me and I've cut down on the amount of reading I do in bed over the last few months. I don't know if it's helped.

I wonder if there's a collective (at least in "our" circles) decompression as we end the 8-year nightmare, or if there's an unconscious sense of panic over what might happen in the 'last 11 days'... Not sure, but there definitely does seem to be something insomnia-related going around.

If you think of something I can help with, let me know. :-D

[fourgates]

It may not be applicable for you, but I find eating more heavy meats makes me sleepier. Also, for reasons unknown, zinc supplements make me need more rest.

[kendokamel]

I found that when I removed all distractions from my bedroom (including television and radio), and stopped reading or doing other work in there, I was able to fall asleep very easily.

When I find myself feeling unable to sleep, I get up and remove myself from my bedroom until I'm tired, and that helps, too.

[solestria]

I do spend a LOT of time in my room. Part of it is that my roommate watches a lot of TV in the living room, and the house really isn't that big. On the other hand, I was thinking I might start reading/computing in the office instead of my room (though my room also has a nice space heater, and I love the warmth). I do think that at the very least, moving from my bed to a desk should help.

I'll definitely work on moving out of my room when I can't sleep, though. Although I *am* tired when I can't sleep, I just can't actually settle into sleep properly. Quite frustrating.

[fourgates]

Also soy products. I assume it may be a yin thing.

[threadwalker]

The bed for sex and sleep only helped me, but what helped me the most was books on tape. I often can't sleep because I'm thinking too much, and I can't read myself to sleep, but if I listen to books on tape of books I've already read it keeps my brain occupied enough not to wander, but because I've read them before I don't have to stay awake to hear what happens. If you have an ipod they've got a sleep timer and it will turn itself off. I found the Harry Potter books work well. Or music if that works for you.

[alandd]

I almost always listen to music when I'm trying to fall asleep... Trying a book on tape that I -have- already read is a good idea. :-) All the audiobooks I have right now are ones I haven't yet read.

I made a plan to get up and go into another room to read if I can't sleep, but I haven't done it yet.