Insomnia--Any advice?

[ThyTempest]

Hey everyone,

I have been having a really hard time getting to sleep the past week or so. Usually I can sleep at the drop of a hat. I am starting classes next week, so that could potentially be something on my mind, but I dont really feel stressed out about anything.

Anyway, I have tried taking NyQuil and Benadryl a couple of times this week, both of which usually knock me out in about 30 minutes. To no avail. Once I get to sleep, I am hard at sleep, so no worries there.

Any advice or home remedies? I dont think I need a sleep doctor or anything, at least not yet.

[SatanicIntention]

Rescue Remedy. It's flower essences and a good bit of alcohol. Put 3-4 drops under your tongue and it has a great calming effect. I use it myself every so often if I can't sleep or I use it on my rats if they are having breathing problems and are panicky. Works great. It's around $20 for the 20ml bottle, but worth it.

You can get it online or at an organic food store sometimes.

http://www.bachflower.com/

[ThyTempest]

Maybe me and the rats....they are pretty noisy!

Anyway, thanks for the tip.

[mainbutter]

First things first. Any rest is good rest, even if you have trouble staying asleep. If you stay up on your computer the whole night you'll be more useless tomorrow than if you lay in bed with your eyes closed. I know it's tough, and you get bored out of your mind, but I have insomnia often enough that I've figured that out, at least it works for me anyways.

I don't have any insta-cures for insomnia.. But I find that the biggest trigger for me to not sleep is stress. Find an outlet for stress, whether it is exercising or hobby-ing or whatever does it for you. I had the most horrible insomnia during winter months in school. It sucked. Being graduated, I sleep much more soundly. I could always tell that stress was what was keeping me up because my mind just races and thinks about topic after topic, almost like my brain was on meth or something.

There are all kinds of causes for insomnia, including less-than-comfy bed/pillows, temperatures being off, stress as I mentioned..

A couple of things that I tried that sometimes helped at least make me comfy, and sometimes I was able to get to sleep: open an window and knock the temps down so it's nice and chilly, and pile on heavy blankets. Then turn on an episode of some TV show or movie you like, preferably something you've seen hundreds of times so you don't actually have to pay attention to it(easier to fall asleep to if it doesn't grab your attention as much). Any simpsons episode always works for me, I just get all nice and relaxed.

I'm going to take my own advice now and get off the computer and try and get some rest

[SecurityStacey]

I'd suggest warm milk - it really does a pretty good job of getting you sleepy.

I've also heard if you get lavender oil and put a couple drops of that on your pillowcase that helps.

And like was mentioned above me - watching a tv show or movie that I've seen lots before helps me fall asleep.

Insomnia really sucks, hope you get over it!

[mlededee]

I use melatonin when I can't sleep. They make it in a pill that you swallow or one that you dissolve under your tongue. Take that 30 minutes before you go to bed.

I also sometimes do a crossword puzzle or sudoku puzzle while laying in bed to help make me tired. I know that goes against what you are supposed to do--as in not stimulating your brain before bedtime or doing "work" in bed but it totally helps me. It's just something relaxing that helps me wind down and not think about the stressful things that were on my mind. Of course, if you don't enjoy that type of puzzle I wouldn't recommend it, because the goal is to relax and not to get frustrated or more stressed.

[BMorrison]

The thing is you're in Michigan. I have the same problem. I think it's just the weather changes really. Play about 5 hours of Call of Duty before you go to bed and that'll do the trick haha

[ThyTempest]

The thing is you're in Michigan. I have the same problem. I think it's just the weather changes really. Play about 5 hours of Call of Duty before you go to bed and that'll do the trick haha

Funny you say that....I stop playing video games b/c I am getting ready to go back to school and low and behold....I cant sleep.

World at War is soo good...but so is Fallout 3....I have a giftcard for Gamespot and can't decide which one to buy, b/c if I buy COD I have to renew my XBL which just expired.

Anyway, I have tried lavender and warm milk already, and i am not sure I am insomniac enough to go messing with my brain chemistry with melatonin yet.

[mlededee]

Melatonin is natural, unlike Benadryl, Nyquil or most sleeping medications you find in the drug store. It is a natural part of your brain chemistry. Your body is supposed to naturally produce more of it at night time to help you sleep, but sometimes just a little extra is all it takes. Most often it comes in a 3mg pill but you can get it in a 1mg pill too (you will probably have to look for this dose at a drug store as opposed to a grocery store or Walmart), which for most people is plenty.

[SecurityStacey]

Anyway, I have tried lavender and warm milk already, and i am not sure I am insomniac enough to go messing with my brain chemistry with melatonin yet.

Ya got me tapped out of ideas then.

Try to preemptively read some text books... that always used to put me out...