Having Trouble Sleeping...

I have been having a really hard time falling a sleep and even this morning I woke up early (very uncommon for me as I usually hit the sneeze button 10 times). I have been exercising in the morning before class and eating enough calories so thats not the problem. I tried an OTC sleep medication on Sunday (Nytol) and it worked, but I dont want to rely on them. I bought them to help me get to sleep on nights before I have to get up early.

I tried searching the forum for ideas, but alot wont work for me. One, I cant get a bath because the bathroom only has a shower, I cant not be on the computer or watch TV 2-3 hours before bedtime (Im in Atlantic Canada so all the shows I watch dont come on until 10:30 and I am a student who has to be on the computer/studying all evening) and my room only has a really hard chair and the bed for me to do my work on so I usually use the bed for stuff other than sleeping.

Does anyone else have any tips? When I was doing a workterm and had to get up early every morning, I took a tsp of Nyquil every night (for 3 months). It worked, but Im wondering if this is ok for long term?

Thanks.

/hits the sneeze button.

Achoo!

Okay, that out of the way: I used to have problems getting to sleep. I'm not sure why - I just thought a lot when my head was down on the pillow! To help me, and my sister (who had the same problem), we bought some atmospheric CDs and played them when we were trying to sleep. Rainforest sounds, seaside sounds. That sort of thing. That, or very calm lyric-less tunes - think the sort of music you'd expect in a spa.

Now, if I have trouble, I focus on the radio in my Dad's room (he always has it on), or I drink some chamomile tea before I go to sleep. I do still have the CDs, just in case. No drugs required. :D

Original Post by keb1984:

I have been having a really hard time falling a sleep and even this morning I woke up early (very uncommon for me as I usually hit the sneeze button 10 times). I have been exercising in the morning before class and eating enough calories so thats not the problem. I tried an OTC sleep medication on Sunday (Nytol) and it worked, but I dont want to rely on them. I bought them to help me get to sleep on nights before I have to get up early.

I tried searching the forum for ideas, but alot wont work for me. One, I cant get a bath because the bathroom only has a shower, I cant not be on the computer or watch TV 2-3 hours before bedtime (Im in Atlantic Canada so all the shows I watch dont come on until 10:30 and I am a student who has to be on the computer/studying all evening) and my room only has a really hard chair and the bed for me to do my work on so I usually use the bed for stuff other than sleeping.

Does anyone else have any tips? When I was doing a workterm and had to get up early every morning, I took a tsp of Nyquil every night (for 3 months). It worked, but Im wondering if this is ok for long term?

Thanks.

OOPS!! SNOOZE button. Do you see how tired I am even though I cant sleep??? LOL.

Hi keb1984, I've read that it can help if you take just fifteen minutes before going to bed and do the following things:

-turn off the tv, the computer, all electronic things (the light emitted by monitors and tv screens actively keeps your brain from producing melatonin, one of the major neurotransmitters that make you sleepy)

-turn the lights down low

-do something relaxing: meditate, read a bit, stare at the wall, have a short phone conversation with someone you love and are comfortable with

-drink a little milk sweetened with honey (the sugar will help get you a little drowsy, so they say)

I understand what you mean about not wanting to rely on OTC sleep meds!  Good luck.  :-)

perhaps it is stress (school, work, etc).  find some time to unwind, as erinread said.  go for  walk around the block to empty your mind.  i still have sleep issues, so i know how hard it is (but for me i think it's stress AND anxiety issues)

Original Post by juleroo:

perhaps it is stress (school, work, etc).  find some time to unwind, as erinread said.  go for  walk around the block to empty your mind.  i still have sleep issues, so i know how hard it is (but for me i think it's stress AND anxiety issues)

 I think your probably right about the stress issues! I guess I will try to find something to relax me before I go to bed.

Keb! I am with you on the stress. I used to be so stressed and took tylenol pm, unisom, and ambiens on a rotating schedule every night to be able to sleep. i started doing pilates once a week at a gym and once a week at home on DVD and eating healthier and was able to ween myself off the sleep meds until this saturday. i dont know why i took the tylenol PM because i had been drinking and wanted to make sure i got a good nights sleep... well that ruined me because now I havent been able to sleep the last two nights. when my dr gave me ambian she told me not to take anything at all and eventually your body will get so tired so will start to fall asleep as soon as you get in bed. HOWEVER, that wont work because i get soooo tired at work and have even almost fallen asleep at pilates!!! i even read in bed at night for at least an hour before i turn off the lights trying to sleep!!

I find that when I am under alot of stress.  Doing stretches or warmup for pilates about 30 minutes before bedtime followed by a cup of camomile or dream tea helps me relax and go to sleep easier.

i have this sleep cd my hypnotherapist gave me AMAZING, im serious i cannever get thru it and i fall asleep. there are also melatonin pills from trader joes you can buy.  you can do excercise at night. or maybe ask your hubby for a massage at night =]