falling asleep

by 6 replies
8
Hey there,

since I was a little kid as far as I remember, I had trouble falling asleep

Any tips from fellow insomniacs???
#off topic forum
  • I have severe insomnia caused by pain and sleep apnea and insomnia combined. If you want tips to help, then here are a few: They won't work for everyone of course.
    Turn off your computer at least 2 hours before bed.
    Drink warm milk or chamomile tea before bed.
    No caffeine after 2pm.
    Listen to relaxation music.
    Meditate.
    Exercise as much as you can during the day so you're physically tired.
    Turn off all lights in the house, including clocks and digital displays.
    Wear ear plugs if noise bothers you.
    Try prescription and/or herbal sleeping tablets.
    Get hypnotised.

    I have tried all of these and nothing really helps in the long term for me but some may help you.
    • [ 1 ] Thanks
  • Hi,

    I know what you are going through. I have had insomnia for 26 years (since my son was born) and I've tried different things. What really works for me is taking 50 mg of Elavil every night at 7pm. If I do that I'm out by 10:30 pm.

    My problem is shutting down my mind... it's the same problem Michael Jackson had. One other thing that works for me is falling asleep on my side.

    Bonnie
  • I'd talk to a nutritionist and/or a naturopathic doctor.
    Maybe it's something like a wheat/grain or dairy allergy or reaction.

    Dan
    • [1] reply
    • some good suggestions have already been posted. things that help me are:

      - no caffeine in the afternoon
      - an hour of fairly intense physical exercise per day (either weight lifting or running)
      - even if i don't have to be anywhere won't sleep in too late, wake 9:30 at the latest
      - don't force myself to stay up for hours after feeling exhausted. once i start to feel real tired, i call it. there's a point (usually around 3-4am) where if i stay up much longer i kinda get a second wind and then sleep is almost impossible
      - finish dinner 3-4 hrs minimum before laying down. earlier and i might get hungry, later and i might feel uncomfortably full, either leads me to poor sleep
      - nothing real sugary late at night (obvious, i know, but worth mentioning)
      - minimize late night alcohol. if i want a glass of beer or wine, will have it several hours before going to bed. if i do have one it will be before i eat or w dinner, not after. weekends r a different story, when i go out w friends and have several late at night i'm almost assured not to get a good nights' sleep, but in those instances i just deal w it
      - something i started doing in the last few yrs that has helped tremendously is listening to audio books while in bed w the lights off. i usually start falling asleep after about an hour and then just slip out the ear buds (use them so as to not keep my wife awake) and almost always fall asleep immediately

      took a while to figure some of that stuff out but that's what works well for me

      know this can be a real pain, good luck w it
      • [ 1 ] Thanks
      • [1] reply
  • Another thing is that your surroundings affect your sleep. Make sure you have good ambiance on your room, no mess around and light up a scented candle or aroma with lavander or some scents to relax your mood and feel at ease.
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