Insomnia sucks
- Thread starter DBR
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I recently eliminated caffiene from my diet for other health reasons but I do sleep a little easier now. If it's not something you've done already it may be worth trying. Good luck with it; I've suffered from insomnia all my life and know what a pain it is.
Yeah, don't drink caffeine for at least several hours before going to bed. That, and I usually take a couple Advil PMs to relax my muscles and help me sleep.
Watch some television. It usually sends me to sleep, especially if it's some boring old show such as [insert hugely popular TV show that only you don't like]. 
I have one of those teeny tiny lights clipped to my bedside table. If i can't fall asleep i read (i keep the book on the table as well), and that usually helps.
No sugar, no caffeine, no PC. Not sure about nightcaps - I suspexct that using them too often could result in your system expecting its "fix" everynight.
Maybe work out a little an hour or two before bedtime. Lifting weights may make you sleepy after a while.
Maybe work out a little an hour or two before bedtime. Lifting weights may make you sleepy after a while.
Caffeine has a half-life of around 5 hours, I think.
I recently nixed caffeine also, and it's amazing to see now how powerful that drug is. I think of it in drug terms now, because having gradually reduced its dosage and then eliminated it, and then trying some with a clear system: there's no question about it any more. I've found that even decaf coffee has enough to cause a mild withdrawl headache in its absence, and a full dose of caffeine is not at all pleasant, almost sickening as that andrenaline releases.
I've had sleeping problems also. One thing that helps me in a lot of situations is earplugs. My gf has been listening to a Dr. Gergovich series that trains you to enter sleep states at will. Goofy as it is, I've tried it and have to admit it works. I don't fall asleep to it, but it does get one in the mindset. It's all about letting the mind go. Often easier said than done, I know, especially if there is something stressful on one's mind.
Better yet, watch the original Russian version of Solaris. I'm convinced that “Solaris” is a Russian word meaning “cure for insomnia.”Watch some television. It usually sends me to sleep, especially if it's some boring old show such as [insert hugely popular TV show that only you don't like].
Watch some television. It usually sends me to sleep, especially if it's some boring old show such as [insert hugely popular TV show that only you don't like].
Actually I think there's been a study showing that using electronics (TV, computer, etc.) before bed can actually make it more difficult for people to sleep. I know a long time ago when I was researching the subject, there were several sources that said not to do anything in you bed except sleep (and have sex). Don't read/watch TV/mess about on your laptop in bed. That way your body will associate being in bed = sleeping. Don't know how much truth there is to that, but it makes a bit of sense.
Anyway, I don't know if I have a ton of tips to add. I've struggled with sleeping problems for a good portion of my life so I've tried a lot myself. Let's see ...
-- Try and figure out what is causing the insomnia. Aches and pains? See if there's a way to address them. Anxious thoughts? Try to get them out on paper before bed, or talk to someone about what you're going through.
-- Avoid caffeine, eating too late, common sense things like that.
-- Consider exercising before bed as someone else already said. If I do a strong aerobic workout late in the evening, I find it wears me out and I sleep better that night.
-- Designate a half hour or so before bed where you promise to just ... relax. Do something to unwind, whether that's taking a bath, yoga, whatever. Don't confuse this with entertainment, as those activities are more likely to keep you engaged and alert. Turn the lights down at the half-hour mark too. Not completely off, just have some dim-lighting. Once you feel more relaxed, try turning everything off and heading to bed.
Watch some television. It usually sends me to sleep, especially if it's some boring old show such as [insert hugely popular TV show that only you don't like].
Actually I think there's been a study showing that using electronics (TV, computer, etc.) before bed can actually make it more difficult for people to sleep. I know a long time ago when I was researching the subject, there were several sources that said not to do anything in you bed except sleep (and have sex). Don't read/watch TV/mess about on your laptop in bed. That way your body will associate being in bed = sleeping. Don't know how much truth there is to that, but it makes a bit of sense.
I read that somewhere too. Made for interesting bedtime reading on my laptop.
But seriously, I did read that using interactive electronic devices in bed (such as iPods, iPads, and other things...
) entertained your brain to the point that it was in an active and awake state, making it harder to get to sleep, whereas doing nocturnal things such as reading a book or magazine, listening to the radio, or sex (or all of them 
) set yourself up for a good night's sleep.
Whiskey or wine is helpful.
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