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humorist-workshop
Having trouble getting to sleep
16/f
I have the worst time trying to fall asleep.
It's been worse over the summer but even before I just couldn't fall asleep and it'd take me an hour or 2.
I think it started my sophomore year where I couldn't fall asleep. I'm going into my senior year and it's still bothering me. I mean it wasn't every night because I did have some good nights where it'd only take me 20 or 30 min to fall asleep.
I was thinking maybe I was making it into a habit. So I just tried going to bed at 10 or 11 but wouldn't fall asleep till like 12 or 1. I had to wake up at 5:30 for school but my body was used to the hours I slept so it didn't affect my grades or anything.
So I've tried different sleeping times and tried to get used to them but that didn't work. I tried reading before going to bed because people usually fall asleep during that time but that didn't work. Drinking milk didn't help lol. I would just lay there, for hours, just thinking about anything and everything. It's like my mind was still wide awake no matter how tired my eyes were.
I tried writing in my journal to let everything out, but even when I had nothing particular on my mind I couldn't sleep.
Now it's horrible, because last night is where it was really bad. I tried going to bed at midnight but I was laying there forever so I started reading. I read till about 1 or 2. Then laid back down and did not fall asleep till about 6. That was so bad.
When I fall asleep, I'm out. So I didn't wake up till like 1pm. I hate sleeping that late. It's so bad.
When I'm really drained, this isn't often, but I can naps very easily. But when I wake up, I feel sick like I'm going to throw up but I know I'm not going to. It's just my stomach feeling like it's twisting. Soo what's up with that?
Sorry that this was long but it's really starting to bother me and I can't have it be this bad during my senior year.
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Want to answer more questions in the Health & Fitness category?
Maybe give some free advice about: Health?
I know how miserable it is not being able to fall asleep and/or stay asleep. I also suffer from sleeping problems, except I've had them for basically my whole life. And I also know that reading doesn't help me at all...the only thing it helps is passing the time by quicker.
First, maybe it's something you want to get diagnosed by a sleep doctor because you may actually have a problem.
--When you're going to bed, make sure that your room is dark. No nightlights, TV...nothing. That way your body recognizes that it's dark and time to fall asleep.
--Try not to drink or eat anything with caffiene for at least a few hours before you fall asleep. Eating/snacking before you sleep may also keep you up because of the energy in the food. If you're hungry or thirsty, my best bet to you is water and something light and healthy like a piece of fruit or vegetable. Nothing with a ton of calories.
--Taking a sleep aid (you can find them at any drugstore...CVS, Rite Aid, Walgreens, etc.) could definitely help you as it helps me. I use non-addictive, natural pills and they help me stay on a healthy sleep schedule.
--Sleep in a room with a comfortable temperature...if it's too hot, you'll find it more difficult to try to fall to sleep.
--I know this may sound odd, but sometimes when I can't sleep, I switch sides of my bed. So when I normally sleep on the side with my headboard, I'll sleep on the side I usually put my feet. I've recommended this to other people and it works. Although I wouldn't recommend it every night, just seldom occasions, because then the trick might wear off and stop working for you!
--I was recently given "Sleep Body Lotion" from Bath & Body Works which (with the help of the Lavender Vanilla scent) relaxes the mind. I've only used it twice and I can't quite tell yet if it works for me, but I have a sample bottle so it's not a waste of money if it doesn't work out.
That's about all the advice I can give you...that I can think of anyway. I hope this helps, even just a little.
Good luck!
Jackieee
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Hi, I had a lot of trouble with insomnia (not being able to fall asleep as opposed to waking often or early) and I did a few things which helped me a lot, hopefully one of them will help you too:
1. I assume you are not drinking or taking drugs or anything but if you are, stop
2. Substitute all caffeine (coffee, tea, cola) with green tea or water
3. Irrespective of what time you fall asleep, set your alarm to wake up at the same time. Only fell asleep at 6am? Get up at 8am anyway and don't nap during the day
4. As the previous advisor suggested: exercise a lot
5. Take magnesium supplements
6. Don't watch TV or be on the computer too close to bed time
7. Read Paul McKenna's book "I can make you sleep" - there is a technique in there that really, REALLY helped me (which I have spoken about before and I'll quote myself below)
8. Make sure your room & bed are not too hot
9. Take a long bath just before bed time
The Paul McKenna stuff: "There is a technique described in the book about repeating to yourself the image you see in your mind. "I see a red ball. I see an apple. I see a car." etc. It's tedious and boring but I suppose that it the point!"
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Well one question is have you ever tried an intense workout before to make you more tired. If that doesn't work and you have done all that you are capable of doing to get to bed, then this is most likely a medical problem and seeing your doctor as soon as possible is the best possible thing to do.
Good luck
& GO SEE THE DOCTOR. (:
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