Insomnia

nutmeg2576

Does anyone else struggle with sleep problems? I have no problem falling asleep (lately), but I can't seem to stay asleep. I usually wake up sometime around 2am, and can't fall back asleep until 5-5:30am, when I have to get up at 6-6:15am. Does anyone else have this problem? Any suggestions?

OyGeeBiv

Yes. It's 4:00 am for me. Check to see if something happens at your house at 2:00 am. Does the heat go off at night, so it's cold in your bedroom at 2? Does a loud truck drive by? In my case, it's newspaper delivery guy's car that needs a tune-up. White noise can help drown out that kind of noise, but I usually forget to set something up at night.

Bonny132

I suffer with insomnia. Either cannot fall asleep or cannot stay asleep, in between I sleep just fine.

First I rule out all outside noises, creaks, house settling noises. The neighbours cat, neighbourhood fox, the guy across the road arriving home late/leaving early. My own cat (unfortunately he is usually fast asleep, curled up to me, snoring)

Then I work on myself, get a routine going, no internet just before bed. I read a book, watch TV, but not in bed.

Lizzy622

I was waking up at 2 and usually falling back to sleep at 4 and having trouble getting back up at 6. I then read an article about vitamin D and realized I was taking it too late in the day. Now I take it in the morning.
See what you are eating or drinking on the nights you wake at 2. It can be vitamins or caffeine or not having enough carbohydrates.

Runs4Wine

I go through phases where this happens to me - going on 3-4 years now. I've determined stress is the biggest culprit followed by age.

Another instigator is red wine - I wake up with night sweats from red wine, which I enjoy in the winter.

HippySkoppy

*Waving* Fellow sufferer here and insomnia sucks big time.

A few tips that have helped me:

Routine....try and stick to a bedtime routine of perhaps soothing tea, turning off electronic devices at least 1/2 hour prior to bed, warm shower or bath.....anything that you find relaxing and restorative of your soul.

Meditation can be particularly helpful if this floats your boat.....even learning controlled deep breathing can reduce stress.

Try not to get to upset about insomnia (easier said than done, I know, but the more you worry about the coming night, the more likely you will not sleep)

White noise to counteract any outside disturbances can be useful.

I find that if I am having a particularly bad run ie. 3-5 nights in a row without adequate sleep, except 1/2-1 hour here and there then I have the fall back of sleeping tablets....not a great idea but you gotta do what you can to break the cycle and this can help. Just a thought.

Melatonin as well as adequate Vit D has been shown to promote healthy sleep.....I tried Melatonin and it wasn't anything to rave about for me and it gave me the most bizarre disturbing dreams ever, but it could be helpful for you.

Something else I learned just recently (God knows where from though) is that 10 pm is the absolute cut-off for beddie byes if you struggle with sleep....apparently our body re-boots into wakefulness after 10 pm......so I have being trying to get to bed before this time and believe it or not it has actually helped.

If you just CAN'T nod off I was recommended by my Neurologist to actually get up out of bed....deploy the troops with another soothing drink, light reading, soothing audio ideas. In her opinion if you are laying there frustrated and angry (I've certainly felt that way) you can begin to look at your bed as the enemy....not a good thing.

Oh....make sure to have your bedroom as your sanctuary. Decorate it to suit your needs of a soothing environment, choose colours wisely, make sure your curtains are fully block out, maybe lighted candles and aromatherapy prior to bed will be useful too. Make sure the temp. is conducive to sleep....not too hot or cold.

Hope these few tips help any and all.

All the best.

nutmeg2576

Thank you all!!! Stress could definitely be a culprit. I am forgetful about taking vitamins, but I'll be sure to take them in the mornings (when I remember). I don't drink red wine (I keep hoping a study will come out declaring the benefits of white

apthomas1988

I definitely do! I've been struggling with insomnia since I was like 3 or 4 years old. I have taken just about every drug out there for it. I used to drink Chamomile but now I can't stand it. Now I take melatonin every night and it works great.

ohitsu

Same here. I fall asleep easily enough most nights, I just can't seem to sleep through the night.