insomnia and being a very light sleeper

Category: Health and Wellness

Post 1 by guitargod1 (I'm going for the prolific poster awards!) on Thursday, 02-Mar-2006 10:55:05

Any tips would be great. I'd love to get rid of this. I have had insomnia for over two years now. I am tired during the day but can't sleep once night comes. And if I am really tired and do fall asleep, I might be up four or five hours later with a headache and still tired. But, I can't get back to sleep. I am a very light sleeper though because everything wakes me up nowadays. I'm at university so all sorts of crap goes on that wakes me up. I tried ear plugs which really helped but when I'm asleep, I'll always take them out and throw them! I was taking sleeping pills but ended up being hooked on them for six months which was not good. Any tips would be great. This is making my life difficult and has been for quite some time now.

Post 2 by Goblin (I have proven to myself and the world that I need mental help) on Saturday, 04-Mar-2006 11:10:25

Go to your doctor mate thats the best advice you will ever recieve.

Post 3 by Heavy Metal Girl 85 (Zone BBS is my Life) on Saturday, 04-Mar-2006 20:09:45

yeah I agree

Post 4 by java_chick (Newborn Zoner) on Tuesday, 25-Apr-2006 22:28:01

Make sure to exercise in the morning/early afternoon, lay off any caffeen 6 hours before you try to sleep, and also make sure that you only use yr bed for sleeping, not studying or playing on the computer or anything. Also, I use some of those relaxing nature sounds CDs, and concentrate on relaxing each part of my body individualy.

Post 5 by Blue Velvet (I've got the platinum golden silver bronze poster award.) on Wednesday, 26-Apr-2006 19:26:03

Doctors will most likely just want to prescribe drugs. Look into natural remedies like Melatonin. Also, try meditation or deep breathing exercises either right before bed or while lying in bed. Dr. Andrew Weil makes some good audio tapes to help guide people through meditation and breathing exercises. www.drweil.com and www.drweilselfhealing.com. Also the above advice about not exercising late in the day, no caffeine for several hours before going to bed, and relaxing one part of your body at a time are all good tips. Hope this helps.

Post 6 by Blue Velvet (I've got the platinum golden silver bronze poster award.) on Thursday, 27-Apr-2006 7:06:27

Cam, I know in my above post I said doctors would just give you drugs, but I had another thought that you might want to discuss with your doctor. Have you and your doctor ever discussed the possibility of you having sleep apnea? This is a very serious condition that not only interrupts sleep but can ruin your health. I used to think that only older people and/or very overweight people had this condition, but I recently read an article in a health magazine that said young and otherwise healthy people, and even children, can have it. You might have to spend a few nights at a sleep clinic to find out, but I think you should discuss the possibility with your doctor.

Post 7 by overdrive (Veteran Zoner) on Sunday, 28-Jan-2007 5:06:49

im always up durin the night, and tired as hell durin the day...lol dunno why

Post 8 by motifated (I've now got the silver prolific poster award! wahoo!) on Sunday, 28-Jan-2007 5:55:18

One thing that they say helps, (and it helps me when I folow it,) is to try and go to bed at the same time each night. Sometimes, the use of warm milk or ovaltine (if I spelled that right) also helps. Consulting with your doctor as Goblin said early on is the best advice you could get, because he/she should be aware this is a problem for you. Good luck.

Lou

Post 9 by medical queen (This site is so "educational") on Sunday, 28-Jan-2007 16:40:58

Ok try this herb tea it's really good it's made for ansomnia it's called camamile tea, sleepy time. My doc recommends me to take it. It also relaxes you when you're stressed. Not sure of the correct spelling but you can buy it at any pharmacy near you it's in the herb tea section. Take it once before bed and it should do you some good I'm getting some next month. It beats taking sleeping pills which can be very habit forming.

Post 10 by guitargod1 (I'm going for the prolific poster awards!) on Monday, 29-Jan-2007 1:38:29

yeah, thanks. trying to find a natural remedy as i developed a serious habit with the sleeping pills earlier this year and don't want to go back to taking them.

Post 11 by redgirl34 (Scottish) on Monday, 29-Jan-2007 10:24:20

I used to be a light sleeper. Now I sleep tomuch. But I think this is because of my medication Venlafaxine and Seroqual. I am like a zomby in the morning.

Post 12 by guitargod1 (I'm going for the prolific poster awards!) on Monday, 29-Jan-2007 10:33:04

yeah, I know how that is. When i was on anti depressents, I was freaking tired all the time and slept a lot. it was rough. Not sure which is worse though. This extreme or that one. haha. I just can't win...

Post 13 by SensuallyNaturallyLiving4Today (LivingLifeAndLovingItToo) on Monday, 29-Jan-2007 10:47:38

Drink a large, but not huge mug of decafinated coffee with a high ratio of milk and a small amount of sugar. Also the tea reccomended above. Warm liquids, especially in larger amounts will help you sleep by calming you, relaxing your body and muscles and by giving you a sense of being full, with out eating a large amount of food right before bed. Although eating before you want to sleep can make you fall asleep rather quickly, it can also add to weight gane, because your metabolism slows down while you sleep. Try having a glass of milk, warm or cold an hour or so before you go to sleep, or have a turkey sandwich at around the same time before going to bed. Yoga Zone makes special Yoga tapes for the morning to energize you, but they also make an evening/late afternoon tape that helps relax your body and helps you wind down for bed. You can do the routine anywhere from five hours to one hour before you go to bed. Some people love classical music, nature sounds and new-age music, but others can't sleep with it on, because rather than relaxing them it makes them too involved in the music and thus accomplishes nothing. It's the same principle that makes some musicians and music lovers unable to make love while listening to music. Try getting a clock with an audible tick. It's rhythmic, and not as distracting as Enya, Yanni, howling wolves or the sounds of a South American rain forest. A clock ticking can also remind you of your mother's heartbeat while you were in the woom. It's a subconscious signal to relax and feel safe. Make sure you're warm enough, if you're chilly you won't be able to sleep or to stay asleep. Try massaging your temples, feet, face or anywhere on your body. Try masterbating right before bed. Wear soft shaneal socks and rub your feet together. I know that sounds strange, but it works for me. Don't plan out your next day. Avoid making mental lists of things to do, and don't dwell on the events of the day. Only re-visit events that made you happy, satasfied or content.

Post 14 by Reyami (I've broken five thousand! any more awards going?) on Saturday, 07-Apr-2007 21:26:26

Have you ever asked your doctor about a sleep aid called Lunesta? I mean, unless you're taking medications which could cause a bad reaction, then don't take it. Try discussing it with your doctor.