what do you do when you can not sleep?

**Rich** · 10-15-2009, 02:52 AM

the last couple of evenings i have not been able to get to sleep properly and have been waking up after a hour or two does this happen to anyone else and if it does how do you make sure you get to sleep at a proper time and do not keep waking up so that you are not tired the next day?

**attis** · 10-15-2009, 05:04 AM

Luckily I can sleep anywhere and everywhere. Basically I've learned to grab every minute of sleep while I was in the military. Also I've slept through while people where having parties on and around me and while there was a fire in the apartment next to mine (not a big one though, but a lot of noise from the fire squad as neighbors told me later).

So I really don't have any advice, but there are two (okay three) rules I always try to follow:
1. I listen to my body and try to sleep when I'm tired. Even if it's for just half an hour during the day, but especially in the evening when I sense I'm getting tired. It usually comes in waves so if you stay up when you feel tired, after a while you won't feel so tired anymore and then it becomes hard to fall asleep.
2. My bed is for sleeping. Actually when I lie down it tells my body that it's time to sleep. Being upright means activity, lying down means rest. I don't read, watch tv, think about things that go around in my mind, sunbathe, etc. whilst lying down. Okay, on the odd ocasion I do have sex in a horizontal position, but nowadays that's rarely enough to give my body any funny ideas.
3. Usually I have good wank before I go to bed.

**tim460** · 10-15-2009, 07:53 AM

Originally Posted by Rich

the last couple of evenings i have not been able to get to sleep properly and have been waking up after a hour or two does this happen to anyone else and if it does how do you make sure you get to sleep at a proper time and do not keep waking up so that you are not tired the next day?

With your other post about wanting to relax combined with not sleeping well, it seems like you are under a lot of stress? If so, figuring out what the stresses are and how to possibly reduce them. For example, if overwhelmed with responsibilities there is too much work to be done, delegate it, say you're not working past a certain hour and just put everything down after that. If you feel restless, just take a walk, or exercise at the gym (as mentioned in the relax thread) might help to relax and sleep better. Other things like eating regular balanced meals, etc. (not skipping meals) are important, too good. Meals right before bed may keep you up, but a really small healthy snack containing protein would be fine. I wish good luck on this, a good night's sleep and a good day. :thumbsup:

**PUMPaul** · 10-15-2009, 11:17 AM

Originally Posted by Rich

the last couple of evenings i have not been able to get to sleep properly and have been waking up after a hour or two does this happen to anyone else and if it does how do you make sure you get to sleep at a proper time and do not keep waking up so that you are not tired the next day?

Atavan, Xanax, Lunesta, Halcion, Ambien, Valium or any other benzo is helpful for some. Of course you should definetely consult your primary care doctor before taking any of these. Lack of sleep due to stress or other causes can lead to serious medical conditions like high blood pressure or increase your chances of accidents while driving.

Good luck getting that worked out.

**Maryflixxx** · 10-15-2009, 03:32 PM

I go through bouts of insomnia and I used to get stressed about not sleeping, which makes it harder to sleep.

My doctor told me (cuz I'm not a pill popper) that just relaxing in bed is enough, so even just lying down and resting will give you enough recuperation to get through another day, so not to worry about it.
That one piece of advice helped tremendously and has shortened my bouts when they do occur.

Then, as someone else posted here, I do two things:
1) Bed is for sleeping (okay, and sex) but it's not for work so no computers, cell phones et al in the bedroom.
2) Wind down before trying to go to sleep. Whether its an hour of TV as it is with my hubby or a few chapters of a book as it is with me, we'll always ensure that there is a relax gap between the end of the day and when we turn the lights off to go to sleep. That helps shut down the brain and move from whirling work thoughts to a steady pace.

Hope that helps!
Mary

**Fister** · 10-15-2009, 05:27 PM

Melatonin is great for establishing a regular sleeping pattern. If you're over 50 y/o, the doctors say the body does not produce melatonin they it used to, so melatonin really helps the aged, such as myself!

**PUMPaul** · 10-15-2009, 08:31 PM

To step aside from the pills previously mentioned as Mary is right, you should try other things first and her ideas were both great. Some other things that are common include:

no caffeine for at least 6 hours before bed time
no smoking for at least 60 minutes before bed time
if you eat before bed try something that is low in sugar if possible
try easy-to-learn relaxation, meditation, or self hypnosis to separate you from anxiety
experiment with white or gray noise such a fan or a radio station between channels or a nature sounds CD on repeat

There are so many options that you can explore.

**Gin** · 10-16-2009, 02:57 AM

This topic is exactly on time for me. Cause i also have this problem with sleeping lately. Though i also know that as soon as i stop get nervous because of my job problems i'll sleep as a child

**carol.prime** · 10-19-2009, 04:57 AM

I usually read some books and I drink milk as well.

**GL_Marc** · 10-19-2009, 12:05 PM

I have a machine that makes noises like a thunderstorm. It helps me fall asleep as it drowns out all other noises in the room... I've gotten so used to it, when I travel and don't have it, it is hard to sleep. Luckily... there's an APP for that on my iPhone too!

**CharlieBrown** · 10-20-2009, 08:56 PM

eat and jerk off

**Bec** · 10-21-2009, 09:48 AM

Originally Posted by Fister

Melatonin is great for establishing a regular sleeping pattern. If you're over 50 y/o, the doctors say the body does not produce melatonin they it used to, so melatonin really helps the aged, such as myself!

I just read an article about foods that make you sleepy.

Top 5:
tart cherries (as in cherry pie type cherries)
bananas
oatmeal
toast
warm milk

.... and they say breakfast is the most important meal of the day!! No wonder I like "breakfast" for dinner.

**Maryflixxx** · 10-21-2009, 01:37 PM

Originally Posted by Bec

I just read an article about foods that make you sleepy.

Top 5:
tart cherries (as in cherry pie type cherries)
bananas
oatmeal
toast
warm milk

.... and they say breakfast is the most important meal of the day!! No wonder I like "breakfast" for dinner.

No wonder I always want a mid-morning nap.
Why do we eat sleepy foods in the morning? so strange.