Insomnia advice and treatments Posted: 04-16-08 02:38am
I'm posting here to get advice about some
insomnia I have been having for the past 3
months. I try to go to bed around 11 at
night, but end up laying awake for hours
with my mind racing, thinking about all
kinds of things. I don't nap during the
day and then once I finally do fall asleep
in the early morning, my eyes snap open
again at 7 a.m. I could sleep in a little
bit because I don't go into work until 11,
but I wake up anyway. A
lot of times, I will move to the couch
after staying awake and it is sometimes
easier to fall asleep on the couch. It's
not that the bed is uncomfortable, it's
very comfortable, it's just somehow easier
for me to sleep on the couch because then
my mind calms down.
I have tried all of the little tricks and
nothing works - taking a warm shower
before bed, drinking warm milk, doing
low-key activities before bed, etc. I am
healthy and active otherwise, just need to
get some sleep! I have tried going to bed
at 8:30 some nights because my body is so
exhausted, but then I still lay awake for
hours and hours and eventually around 2 am
I just get up because I cannot sleep.
There's not anything in particular I am
worrying about. There aren't any stresses
in my life that set this off. It's just
that I am busy interacting with people all
day and now my brain thinks bedtime is the
perfect time to go into overdrive thinking
about stuff.
|
CarolDiane
Supporter
Joined: 23 Sep 2007 Posts: 2212 Location: Finally a picture to a name,
Thanks: 87
Thanked:118
online
Posted: 04-16-08 13:56pm
First of all, welcome to our community. We
are glad you found us.
I must say stress is one of the top
insigators of insomnia. Your day may be
just to full for you. Have you tried any
over the counter sleep aids? Of course
read the drug interations first. You may
not realize it is stress but, I'm willing
to gamble on it.
|
sleepless1
New User, Becoming EHEALTHy
Joined: 16 Apr 2008 Posts: 3
Posted: 04-16-08 20:39pm
I have tried Tylenol PM a few times and it
helps, but I do not want to become
dependent on anything. If it is stress
like you say, then what kind of things can
I try to help myself fall asleep?
|
CarolDiane
Supporter
Joined: 23 Sep 2007 Posts: 2212 Location: Finally a picture to a name,
Thanks: 87
Thanked:118
online
Sleepless1 Posted: 04-16-08 23:20pm
Believe it or not, you might want to try
some home yoga theropy. Get yourself a
nice bid soft pillow, walkman or Ipod with
a CD of music of nature. Meaning sounds of
earth. Waterfalls, birds etc. Personally,
I listen to music by Yanni and his
instrumentals are so soothing, it can't
help but relax you. I'm sure there are
more out there. I have a couple of Sounds
Of Nature kinda thing. Then just set and
meditate. Let you mind control your body.
Feel yoursef relaxing thinking of one part
of your body till you reach your feet.
Once you have reached this part of you
chakra then try and take yourself away,
far away. Visualize yoursef sitting on a
cliff with a waterfall ahead of you, or in
a park wit the birds. It is truly a
wonderful feeling when you reach that
state of mind over body. Just remember,
you control you thoughts, they do not
control you. Try it and let me know how
you like it. I have no doubt after you
have tried it, it will have you. Now, it
may take a few times to learn how to reach
your ultimate state of mind. But, don't
give up. It is there waiting to come out.
You release all that negitive energy and
let that positive energy just flow through
your body.
Long enough post for now. Keep in touch,
Hugs and well wishes,
Carrie
|
sleepless1
New User, Becoming EHEALTHy
Joined: 16 Apr 2008 Posts: 3
Posted: 04-17-08 12:36pm
OK, I put some relaxing music on my ipod
of waves on the beach set to music and
tried listening to it last night while
falling asleep. It was very peaceful
music, but still I was worrying and found
it hard to concentrate on relaxing for
very long before my mind would wander.
But I think it would have helped me get to
sleep faster, except everytime I would
feel myself start to fall asleep, the
music would keep me up and so finally I
pulled the earphone off and fell asleep.
I think it still took just as long to fall
asleep and I woke up at 7 again this
morning. Although the music made me feel
like I was at a spa and I wasn't quite as
anxious.
I was thinking of trying some yoga, but
using a dvd and doing it before bed. Does
anyone have any yoga dvds they would
recommend? I have no idea where to start.
I was thinking of making a long routine I
go through at night to help myself relax
before bed and that's something I could
do. I already take a warm shower and
brush my teeth/floss for a long time
(that's very relaxing to me for some
reason)... and then I could do some yoga.
|
CarolDiane
Supporter
Joined: 23 Sep 2007 Posts: 2212 Location: Finally a picture to a name,
Thanks: 87
Thanked:118
online
Posted: 04-17-08 13:10pm
Don't give up! Your mind is so use to
wondering all over the world, it is going
to take time to challange and make your
mind do what you tell it to. You will get
better results after you have done it a
few times. I really does help release all
that negitive tension your mind suffers in
everyday life. And yes, make this a
routine for yourself every night. Give
yourself some solitude, maybe a candle or
two burning and also insense is always a
nice topping for the cake. Lavender is for
relaxation. You will do fine. I did not
take me over night to learn to relax. I
had been a twisted dounut for years. But,
I did it.
I hope you can find some music that will
help. Like I said, Yanni and I have a good
full night sleep now that I have my
medications changed and I have him to
relax to.
I wish you the best
|
skmike
New User, Becoming EHEALTHy
Joined: 18 Apr 2008 Posts: 3
Posted: 04-18-08 21:25pm
Hello sleepless1! I agree with the the
lavender candle recommendation. I also
periodically suffer from some hardcore
insomnia. I developed a whole routine to
successfully bypass it:
weightlifting in the evening
jasmine tea before sleep
aromatic candles
yoga
+
ambient music while asleep. I also suggest
listening to one song while preparing to
go to bed. A lot of people make turn on
the muic player while already in bed; I
personally find it works better when your
mind is already in the ready state when
you lay down.
Also, I chose one specific song that I
listen to when going to sleep. I've used
this song so many times that hearing this
song automatically triggers complete
relaxation inside of me. It took my mind a
while to get there, but it was worth it.
|
eeyore46
Experienced User , Rather EHEALTHy
Joined: 16 Apr 2008 Posts: 346
Thanks: 23
Thanked:0
Posted: 04-18-08 22:03pm
I have suffered with insomnia for years.
I have taken Benadry, Tylenol PM, Valerian
Root, etc. and it would help, but then I
would feel sluggish the next day at work.
I do not know if you are interested in
this sort of thing, but I have heard that
acupuncture can help with insomnia as well
as many other disorders. I have had one
treatment and will have 5 more for
insomnia, fatigue, depression, and
anxiety. I do not know if it will help,
but I am willing to try it at this point.
My body and mind are exhausted. I have
also heard that Kava and Melatonin
alternative medications help with
insomnia, as well.
The site is not a replacement for professional medical opinion, examination, diagnosis or treatment. Always seek the advice of your medical doctor or other qualified health professional before starting any new treatment or making any changes to existing treatment. Do not delay seeking or disregard medical advice based on information written by any author on this site. No health questions and information on eHealth Forum is regulated or evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration and therefore the information should not be used to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease without the supervision of a medical doctor. Posts made to these forums express the views and opinions of the author, and not the administrators, moderators, or editorial staff and hence eHealth Forum and its principals will accept no liabilities or responsibilities for the statements made.
Schizophreniahealth
This page was last updated on June 11, 2008
