Home › Forums › Archives › Community Center › The BigBlueBall Lounge › Food, Books & Other Essentials › Any ideas on how to stay asleep?
- This topic has 6 replies, 4 voices, and was last updated 17 years, 8 months ago by PolarBearNPR.
-
AuthorPosts
-
August 17, 2006 at 12:58 pm #24591PolarBearNPRParticipant
I’m having terrible trouble sleeping lately. I have an active day, go to bed at a reasonable time, and wake up two hours later then can’t get back to sleep. I’ve tried all my time-tested remedies to no avail. A glass of milk; writing things down that are running through my brain; imagining calm, serene places; praying, Dear Lord, please knock me out; last night I even took some Tylenol pm so now I feel blah. It should wear off by the time I have to drive, but help!
Any ideas are greatly appreciated!
August 17, 2006 at 2:25 pm #150907DrBroccoliParticipantI did a bit of Googling and found a few tips, and some have actually worked for me:
1. Lower your bedroom tempurature. This one works for me, I sleep better in the cold!
2. Wear gloves (mittens) and socks. Socks and mittens widen blood vessels in hands and feet, a necessary step to inducing sleep, according to a Swiss study. Never heard about this one, but it can’t hurt to try?
3. Don’t think about falling asleep, try to focus on staying awake. In what is known as “paradoxical intention,” the mind that focuses on being awake will sooner relax than the mind that is struggling to fall asleep.
4. If you have just sat/layed there for over 30 minutes, get up and read a dull book (bores the mind, induces sleep), or actually do something that is on your mind, like clean the bathroom or do a load of laundry, finish a work paper or something.
5. I know it may not be the best solution, but go to the doctor and ask for a presription of Ambien, they say it is a non-addictive sleep aid, it can’t hurt to ask a doctor.
Hope any of this helps, and you get some sleep, I know what it’s like to have to go through a day with very little sleep!
August 17, 2006 at 4:18 pm #150908PolarBearNPRParticipantThanks ShadowdogMU. My room is pretty cold usually, and I do sleep better when it’s a little chilly. I had never heard of the gloves/socks idea, but will give it a try. And as far as doing what is on my mind . . . well, thoughts of cleaning is not generally keeping me awake at night, but I have written things down so I don’t forget them the next day. Maybe next time (although I hope there’s not a next time) I will get up and do whatever it is that’s running around my brain. And as far as medications – that tylenol pm last night was something I hate to do because it messes me up for the morning, but it’s been like a week or so with little sleep and if I don’t sleep soundly soon, I will definitely talk with my doctor.
Thanks for all the help. I’ll let you know what happens . . . hopefully not in the middle of the night, though.
August 17, 2006 at 11:26 pm #150905TigerbladeParticipanti could loan you some of my old textbooks… reading those never failed to put me to sleep.
of course, the idea then was actually to stay awake and study, but whatever.
August 18, 2006 at 12:41 am #150909PolarBearNPRParticipantHeh – send them over. Maybe it would help. 🙂
August 24, 2006 at 12:43 am #150906gossipingraeMemberThis might sound corny, but I found it helps me.
I used to only be able to sleep with sound (tv, radio, etc). it is now easier for me to sleep (and stay asleep) by listening to the humming of an oscillating fan (or air conditioner).
another thing that helps me…go to a store such as linens n things or bed bath and beyond and purchase a sleep mask. satin is a nice fabric, it is very soft and keeps your face cool. I started using a sleeping mask when I worked the overnight shifts at wawa. i had trouble getting used to it, as when i awoke the next morning, i found it on the floor or somewhere in my linens.
not only does it block out light, but it helps to keep my eyes closed, should i wake up in the middle of the night. you may look silly doing it, but hey, it is worth a shot! please let me know if you try it out, and if it worked for you.
August 24, 2006 at 12:02 pm #150910PolarBearNPRParticipantThanks, Rae
Things have improved quite a bit since then. I tried the socks/mittens thing, but it’s too warm for that right now. Also I realized that I was probably hungry (forgot to eat – other things going on) so got back to that schedule and am sleeping much better.
But the sleep mask sounds very nice. I’ve got a birthday coming up . . . might just put that on my list. I know the texture of the sheets and having just the right pillow help, and maybe a mask. It’s definitely worth a try.
Thanks for the suggestions.
-
AuthorPosts
- You must be logged in to reply to this topic.