Can't Sleep!

[monique_evette]

So... whats the cure for insomnia? I have a full month this month and my mind keeps racing! Thinking of locations, different shots,things that could go wrong, blah blah blah BLAH! And all I want to do is GO TO SLEEP!

Already took a few shots of whiskey, but thats not working!

Why doesn't the Sandman love me?

[rph]

I have the same problem, all too often. A buddy of mine recommended that I stop trying to sleep, pull out a pad, and write down whatever my mind is trying to sort out. He said that it's a mental thing, like your brain is trying to take notes and organize, but there's too many things happening at once. The end result is that you feel too anxious to rest. Writing it down puts it on paper and helps organize it so you can rest.

Just to give him a hard time, I usually tell him that I never take his advice, but I actually do use this suggestion and it works pretty well for me.

[robert t]

Your not alone, before a big project I have the same problem, of course it also could be because I work nights on my regular job. Never fails with me, look under Murphy's law in and you will see my picture.

[monique_evette]

Originally Posted by rph

I have the same problem, all too often. A buddy of mine recommended that I stop trying to sleep, pull out a pad, and write down whatever my mind is trying to sort out. He said that it's a mental thing, like your brain is trying to take notes and organize, but there's too many things happening at once. The end result is that you feel too anxious to rest. Writing it down puts it on paper and helps organize it so you can rest.

Just to give him a hard time, I usually tell him that I never take his advice, but I actually do use this suggestion and it works pretty well for me.

Yeah I wrote a few things down... although I think if I take a few more shots then I will be good to go! j/k! Seriously I am. Last thing I need is to be known as the forum drunk

Anyway... I am going to try this sleeping thing one more time.

[rph]

Originally Posted by monique_evette

I think if I take a few more shots then I will be good to go! j/k!

I might have used that method in the past...a time...or maybe two...

But not anymore...nope...never...uh-uh...just wouldn't do it...not me...

(Note on pad: Try to remember location where you hid your Jack last time Mom came to visit...Priority Level A...)

[Murph]

Tylenol PM, but only 1, not two. Or a benadryl. It works.

[tjavery]

Ever try melatonin? You can buy in the herbal section of most grocery stores.

I've seen it not work on some people, but for my wife and I, it works great. One pill will knock me out for a good 8 hours. Even 1/2 tablet works really well.

[ndsimm]

Originally Posted by monique_evette

Last thing I need is to be known as the forum drunk

Too late!!
so what time did you go to bed anyway???

[Daniel Bates]

I stay up really late one evening, and then I'm tired enough to go to sleep at a normal time the next evening.


It's screwed up but it works...

[photonewb]

I have problems getting to sleep every Sunday night...it's just Sunday night. I usually get like 2 extra hours of sleep on Sunday morning, but that doesn't seem to justify the 4 or 5 hours I can't get to sleep at night :(

[kenw]

Lessons learned personally:

1) no caffeine after 6pm...none
2) no eating/drinking of anything within 2 hours of bedtime
3) if you think of something while trying to go to sleep and you are fretful about forgetting it, write it down. I have solved many technical issues over the years in my sleep. I used to lay awake worrying about forgetitng the answer so I started writing them down. Then I could sleep.
4) white noise; ceiling fan is on 365 days in our room. And don't go cheap on this fan, a little, tiny squeak or rattle will drive you crazy.
5) be consistent in the time that you go to bed. varying times will screw up the body clock.
6) don't exercise within a few hours of going to bed. The adrenaline hangs around forever. I avoid exercise within 24 hours of bedtime just to be sure......

"Simply Sleep" is the sleep part of Tylenol PM, without the Tylenol and same basic ingredient as Benadryl. Works well, but 2 makes me a bit groggy in the morning. 1 doesn't last all night, so I take 2 about 1 hour before bedtime. Fall asleep faster and minimizes the hangover.

note: for me 2 advil + 1 simply sleep appears to be a good compromise if 1 simply sleep isn't enough and 2 is too much.

Sex is also good but we shan't go there here.......

[Daniel Bates]

Originally Posted by kenw

Lessons learned personally:

6) don't exercise within a few hours of going to bed. The adrenaline hangs around forever. I avoid exercise within 24 hours of bedtime just to be sure......

Ha! I like that.

[The Assistant]

Just get out one of your accounting textbooks and start reading it. That always worked for me.

[TxKent]

Originally Posted by Daniel Bates

I stay up really late one evening, and then I'm tired enough to go to sleep at a normal time the next evening.


It's screwed up but it works...

You won't have ANY problem going to bed at an appropriate time in the very near future. Or getting out of bed. RECRUIT!!! GET YOUR #()*$&#@~! out of that bunk!!!!! NOW!!!!!

The proper reply isn't "Mom, just five more minutes." It's "YES SERGEANT!!!"

[Duffy Pratt]

Regular exercise will help you sleep.
The meditation relaxation techniques can help. (Where you lie down and consciously relax each of the muscles in your body, from toes up to the head, while steadying your breathing.)
Standing on your head or doing shoulder stands can help.

Drinking will not help you go to sleep. If anything, it will make whatever sleep you get shallower and less restful.

The accounting textbooks might work, but in an emergency you could try reading anything by John Locke. Two Treatises of Government is especially soporific.