Friday, 28 March 2014
Insomnia
Due to work hassles/pressures etc I am sleeping dreadfully at night at present. I can cat nap anywhere any time but cannot sleep well in bed. When not sleeping at night I try to get up, have a wee cup of tea and look at a distracting osprey book or suchlike.It used to seem to break the cycle but is working less.I am getting tireder and tireder as the days go by.Any suggestions ?
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I, too, suffer from insomnia. I have a "white noise" machine that I use, which I concentrate on and helps me to sleep. Another thing, believe it or not, is a video on Youtube featuring 8 hours of the sound of a B 17 bomber engine. The drone of the engine puts me to sleep almost immediately. Of course as a kid we lived next to an airport and the sound of planes warming up on cold winter morning would make me snuggle deeper into my blankets.
ReplyDeleteA radical change of routine may be required.
ReplyDeleteTry doing something completely different, hopefully tiring but not exhausting in the evening. A walk round the block, sit-ups, press-ups, walk a neighbours dog!
A difficult issue. Thankfully I have only suffered periodic short bouts. The tea and perusing books is a familiar tactic. I'm told electronic devices are counter productive as they do something to the brain but I've used them in the past as well.
ReplyDeleteA bit of mild exercise, stretches etc is good but one of my main hopes is familiar, comforting music. This sometimes requires moving out of the bedroom to a comfy couch in the dark, with a dog to cuddle up with.
Good luck.
When I can't get to sleep I get up and take a benedryl (diphenhydramine hydrocloride) or gravol (dimenhydrinate) tablet.
ReplyDeleteBoth of these are over-the-counter medications for allergies and motion sickness respectively . . . and both make you drowsy.
-- Jeff
As a fellow sufferer I can offer you sympathy for your plight ... and he following advice.
ReplyDelete1. Don't eat too late in the evening.
2. Don't drink coffee or drinks with caffeine in them after 6.00pm so that it can work its way through your system before you try to go to sleep.
3. Try taking mild exercise about an hour before you go to bed.
4. Read something (or watch something) that is interesting but not too over stimulating before going to sleep.
These have worked for me with varying success over the years.
One thing that will help - but that I found almost impossible to achieve - is not to think or worry about the hassles/pressure at work. The cure for long-term insomnia is to remove the cause not just to deal with the problem. Now that I am retired I am sleeping much better than I used to ... but I still suffer from insomnia periodically.
Good luck ... and I hope that one or more of my suggestions helps.
All the best,
Bob
Ugh ... a terrible affliction. I would second all the advice here, particularly Bob C's. I find a cup of herbal tea before I go to bed is helpful, as is exercise during the day. I hope things in the Duchy are more restful soon.
ReplyDeleteNothing worse than lying there in the dark with the Mrs. snoring away beside you (that's not the reason for the sleepnessness though). Now I've retired I'm sleeping better, but dream of some work aspect most evenings?. I usually found that re-fighting a favourite battle in the mind soon had me drifting off. My favourite was the Alma, and I rarely managed to last until the British were across the river.
ReplyDeleteThe insomnia is a symptom so treating the symptom does not go to the core of the problem. My sleeplessness tends to relate to stress. Given the issues you've dealt with so admirably over the last few months I'd be surprised if you're not stressed.
ReplyDeleteI found meditation helpful in reducing stress and therefore letting me sleep. Try "The Calm Technique" book (available from Amazon if necessary), it describes how to meditate without any mumbo jumbo.
If that's not your thing then exercise may be answer, release those endorphins.
"The cure for long-term insomnia is to remove the cause not just to deal with the problem" - very wise words from Mr Cordery...
ReplyDeleteAll useful advice, but I may add my penn'orth. I have been sleeping appallingly for the last few years until 2 weeks ago when I had a sickness bug. Usually when ill I go right off coffee and this time was no different, and I haven't had any since. I have been sleeping like a log since then (woke up in the fireplace). Might be worth kicking strong caffeine as a trial (if you do drink it), combined with getting to the root of the problem. As a teacher and with family illness I guess you must be pretty stressed a good deal of the time.....
ReplyDeleteSorry to here that you are suffering from Insomnia. Some exercises from Tai Chi can help reduce stress and anxiety. There are also breathing techniques that help with sleeping.
ReplyDeleteHope you get your sleeping pattern sorted soon.
Cheers, Ross
Thanks to all of you for the above advice. Most helpful and practical.I hope to try your ideas.I will let you know how things proceed.
ReplyDeleteI find prayer works as a meditation to clear the mind. It may help you as well
ReplyDeleteI am a recent but elderly convert to wargaming and I am playing solo, on a grid with 54mm figures. I am enjoying your blog very much. Thank you.
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ReplyDeleteAs a long term migraine sufferer getting to sleep has always been important to me. Part of reducing the effects and the occurrences of migraine were a couple of exercises given me by the clinic that worked the minor miracle that changed my life. The first is a relaxation technique in which you lay in bed and physically and mentally relax each muscle beginning with your toes and working your way up-to your head. I rarely reach that far before sleep takes over. The other technique needs a little imagination but works quite well. You imagine a tiny guy with a broom inside your head who gradually sweeps all your stress and worries into a pile inside your nose. (Stop laughing I'm deadly serious here) and then ejects them through your nostrils. I can remember the stupidity I felt when I first tried this but it did work. On a final note I find converting and painting toy soldiers extremely relaxing and therapeutic and recommend it just before going to bed.
ReplyDelete