Always tired-sleep help needed

I had really bad sleep issues for years. It seems to be resolved. First, I got a divorce. LOL. Seriously.

But, that might nopt be your problem. Second, I went to see a doctor about it because I was at the end of my rope. He told me, "You need to fix your life problems. I am not giving you drugs to sleep." He gave me a bunch of information and a little kit that had some natural sleep pills (Melatonin), and some other stuff. Anyway, Melatonin works OK. It just helps you sleep, but it doesnt' knock you out, which is really what I wanted.

Recently, I began to adjust some things. A couple things seemed to work. First, I created a little routine for bed. I turn off the tv early. They say that the light for a TV or computer screen keeps your brain from producing melatonin, which is the little drug that makes you sleepy that your body produces. There's something about that light that stops it. So, turn off the TV and computer early, like 30 minutes prior. I go put on my pajamas, I wash my hands and face, brush my teeth, and get into bed, around 10 or 10:30. Then, I start to read. the goal is to be asleep by 11. Plus, get the house quiet, and have everything done. So, don't mess around, right after dinner, clean up. Just make sure everything is done and put away so you don't worry or think about anything. Once you get into bed, stay there. Don't get up and do anything else. Relax.

Now, I don't have to do these things anymore, as I think I've trained my body to sleep when I'm ready. But, for many years, I suffered badly from no sleep. I used to not sleep for maybe 4 or 5 days in a row, and I felt like I was sleep walking during the daytime. It was horrible. But, I seem to have resolved it.

There's more to it than I can really say here. Had to do with cleaning out, and picking up after myself, and making sure that things are done as they should be. It's not an OCD thing, it's just that leaving all these loose ends hanging around in my life really affects my sleep. Just knowing that about myself was a huge step in sleeping better at night. Dont' leave things unresolved.

Have you had your blood work done recently? I found out that I'm anemic.

Your thyroid functioning can also be related to tiredness. I'd try to get those ruled out!

I know my biggest issue with sleep is stress. My brain won't shut off. I worry about what's happening tommorow, what I failed at today, finances (that's a common one), my Son's future, ect ect ect. I have started repeating the A,B,C's over and over again sometimes, 1st coming up with a boys name for each letter, then a girls, then an animal, ect ect. I also read really pointless manga comics, nothing that makes me think.

I second the idea of getting a divorce...

kidding.

although I sleep like a dream now

I always avoid caffeine after 4 pm- it really does affect me.

I also use Melatonin, but only need 1 mg.
I also found night shades and soft foam ear plugs help me get into a deeper sleep- but no so deep that I don't hear anything.
They just muffle the sounds- I can still hear the grandkids if they sleep over.

You just need to eliminate the things that get you wired up....I'm sure you'll figure out what *they* are

Okay, this might seems weird, but it's what I need. I'm a full time working woman, a mother of two boys who are 5 and 7, and a wife. My husband works full time and is also getting his master's degree. That's just to give you an idea of how bloody busy I am most of the time. It's not an excuse, though, more a symptom.

I am tired all the time. This didn't start with the weight loss journey, either. It's been this way for years. I have a very hard time going to bed on time and I get up early. The getting up early isn't negotiable, unfortunately. So, I need help finding ways to get myself to go to bed on time. I currently have a habit of staying up until midnight and sometimes ready until 12:30. When my alarm goes off at 6:30 or 7, that's not great. I am hoping to move my bedtime back to a consistent 10:30 eventually, but I'll settle for starting with a consistent 11pm for now.

If you've been in this boat, where you had a hard time going to bed at a reasonable hour (even when tired!), but managed to conquer it, then please share your tips with me! Thanks!

1mg sublingual melatonin (oral absorption of melatonin is poor, which is why a lot of people think it doesn't work) will put you out in about 30 minutes. Also try to avoid TV/computer/blue spectrum light (e.g. florescent lights) for at least an hour before bed (the longer the better). Most common cause of trouble sleeping is too much exposure to blue-spectrum light, which tells your body it is the middle of the day, and will screw up your ability to sleep well. Red-spectrum lights are OK. If you HAVE to use your computer later in the evening, get something like f.lux: http://stereopsis.com/flux/

Hope this helps!

I stopped drinking caffeine entirely. I found that I was drinking so much in the morning that it was keeping me awake at night which made me drink even more in the morning so I had some energy. When I quit, it tool about three days for the sluggishness, headaches and joint pain to stop but I rarely have trouble sleeping now.

I'll agree with anyone and everyone who says to get a checkup; blood work included. That's always a possibility (I'm sorry I didn't note your age first) what with us women and our hormones after a certain point in our lives.
As you said your days are bloody busy to begin with, so make sure you're taking the right vitamins and also I recently realized that I can add more estrogen (which low estrogen can make you sleepy as well) into my diet naturally through things like beans (edamame, kidney, navy beans) and fruits (apricots and raisins to name two) and other veggies such as kale. You could look into that too because worst case scenario you're eating more fruits and veggies. We could all probably do with a few more fruits and veggies

i have a husband who snores BAD!, i am lucky to get a straight 5 hours, sigh,,,,,,,,,i know how you feel i really do!

For a few days, Set your alarm for a hour earlier than you normally get up. You'll reset your internal clock and be tired earlier. See if It works. Maybe you could do a morning exercise or just relax with a cup of coffee before everyone gets up.

Yup, divorce solved a lot of my sleep problems too!

Melatonin is my life saver. 3 mg half an hour before I want to sleep and I'm good. Sometimes if I wake up in the middle of the night I take another one.

I keep paper and pen near my bed. I used to wake up thinking of something I needed to do and then I couldn't get back to sleep because I was afraid I'd forget to do it. Now I can just write it down and go back to sleep because I know I can't forget it now.

Watch caffeine. It really depends on the person how much and when affects sleep. My husband has found his cutoff is about 4. He tries to quit by 3 and that has helped his sleep some.

Oddly enough, for me, TV and Computer don't seem to affect me. In fact, I watch tv on my computer right before bed. I watch something that isn't too serious. Something I can enjoy and not think too deeply about. If I ready, I try to read something light as opposed to one of my textbooks.

I try to exercise everyday but not too close to bed time. Exercise perks me up.

I have a routine before bed of brushing teeth etc and I do that every night.

I try to go to bed about the same time every night, even weekends.

I try to keep the rest of my life in order so I don't feel I've left stuff undone. I know this is impossible so now I've learned to just let stuff go. I can always vacuum tomorrow!

Make sure your health is good. I had abnormal sleep needs and it turned out I was anemic. Thyroid makes you tired too. But, it sounds like you simply don't get enough sleep and need to find a way to go to bed earlier.