Trouble with sleeping

[Talkback Thames]

Basically, I've been finding it hard to sleep recently. So, I would like to know if there are any particular remedies, techniques, or anything, that can help with sleep?

In late September, I moved out of home to student halls, so I started sleeping in a new, unfamiliar bed, and this is when my sleeping issues started. At the moment, I end up struggling to wake up at 7.30am when my alarm goes off (due to lack of sleep). Because of this, I'm generally very tired and dozey throughout the day. Around about 7pm, I start to hit my lowest, and I feel I could fall asleep on the spot. Refusing to sleep there and then, knowing it'd make me too awake nearer bed time, I struggle through it. However, around about 11, near to when I'd start getting ready for bed, I miraculously wake up again. No idea why. Therefore, I get to bed around midnight, shut everything off, and try and sleep, knowing I have an early start. But I still end up feeling wide awake, tossing and turning until about 4am.

At the moment, the only times I can sleep is when I have company. For example, when my boyfriend is round. When he's playing on a game or something, I can easily dose off without any problems. Even when he's not doing anything and is lead in bed, ready to sleep, I can fall asleep easy. But, of course, I cannot have him come round just to help me fall asleep all the time.

So... With all that in mind, does anyone have any advice on how I might be able to sleep better? It's starting to affect my uni work. Cheers.

[Violet-Shay]

I have trouble with both falling and staying asleep, for me the big issue is just relaxing, i can't do it.
I reccomend getting off of the computer etc 30 minutes before bed.
Drink either milk or caffeine free tea, both are calming
Also and this doesn't work for everyone, but play music. Preferably something without words so you don't sing along and stay up. Classical music is good, but for something with a modern twist I reccomend the Vitamin String Quartet.
THis is just what I do, also taking Melatonin can help.

[onibaba-nana]

Talkback Thames

Basically, I've been finding it hard to sleep recently. So, I would like to know if there are any particular remedies, techniques, or anything, that can help with sleep?

In late September, I moved out of home to student halls, so I started sleeping in a new, unfamiliar bed, and this is when my sleeping issues started. At the moment, I end up struggling to wake up at 7.30am when my alarm goes off (due to lack of sleep). Because of this, I'm generally very tired and dozey throughout the day. Around about 7pm, I start to hit my lowest, and I feel I could fall asleep on the spot. Refusing to sleep there and then, knowing it'd make me too awake nearer bed time, I struggle through it. However, around about 11, near to when I'd start getting ready for bed, I miraculously wake up again. No idea why. Therefore, I get to bed around midnight, shut everything off, and try and sleep, knowing I have an early start. But I still end up feeling wide awake, tossing and turning until about 4am.

At the moment, the only times I can sleep is when I have company. For example, when my boyfriend is round. When he's playing on a game or something, I can easily dose off without any problems. Even when he's not doing anything and is lead in bed, ready to sleep, I can fall asleep easy. But, of course, I cannot have him come round just to help me fall asleep all the time.

So... With all that in mind, does anyone have any advice on how I might be able to sleep better? It's starting to affect my uni work. Cheers.

Ammino acids do the trick for me:
Tryptophan
Gabba


Also sleepy-time caffeine free tea

[Serethielle]

Chamomile tea. Curl up in bed, blankets over legs, propped against pillows, with a quilt draped over you, and drink a mug of chamomile tea slowly.
It'll make you fall asleep fast and naturally.

[Sarius Rin]

I drink warm decaf chai tea and/or take melatonin,

[Mameoyashi]

Sleep disturbances have been a surprisingly common issue lately. Huh. Change of seasons maybe...

For one- go to bed before you get hyper awake. If you get hyper aake around 11, go to bed at 10.

Honestly the best way I found to deal with the lack of sleep is to just not worry about it. Things suck when you're sleep deprived, you don't think as quickly, your reaction time is shot and you are groggy. Lights and sounds hurt and everything makes you angry. I've been there more times than I care to admit.

If it's just been a few days though... I wouldn't stress about it too much. Stress only tends to compound the problem really. I found that accepting that I'm awake and just doing something (interneting for awhile, reading a book. working on my cross-stitch, turning on a movie I've seen a thousand times) for a little while and then going back to bed helps immensely. I am a fan of the technique of going to bed and if I'm not asleep in an hour I get up and do something for half-an-hour then going back to bed.

If all else fails, lay in bed and try to stay awake. It sounds silly, it sounds stupid, but honestly it's one of the best remedies I've found. It does not work right away. But I found that within a few weeks I can usually reset my sleep schedule by just laying in bed and trying to stay awake- I'll eventually fall to sleep and have vivid dreams all night. But this isn't a quick fix and in the short term can do more harm than good, especially if you have to get up and go to work, so use only with caution.

[Artzen]

I take a hot bath for a long time when i get a bit sleepy. If your place is cold at night, you should try it. When you get out of the bath, let the cool air into your room [open your windows] and hide under your blankets. I do that and I fall asleep easily.

[Talkback Thames]

Violet-Shay

I have trouble with both falling and staying asleep, for me the big issue is just relaxing, i can't do it.
I reccomend getting off of the computer etc 30 minutes before bed.
Drink either milk or caffeine free tea, both are calming
Also and this doesn't work for everyone, but play music. Preferably something without words so you don't sing along and stay up. Classical music is good, but for something with a modern twist I reccomend the Vitamin String Quartet.
THis is just what I do, also taking Melatonin can help.

Ah, I'll try making sure I get off the laptop a while before I go to bed, thanks. (:
I have plenty of caffeine tea, but never thought to drink it before bed time.
And thanks for the music suggestion. I used to do it when I was youger but the only way I can play music in my flat is to leave my laptop on... And scared it might overheat being left on so long. But I might try it and see if it's okay.
What is Melatonin? Can I get it off the shelf at a chemist?

[Talkback Thames]

onibaba-nana

Talkback Thames

Basically, I've been finding it hard to sleep recently. So, I would like to know if there are any particular remedies, techniques, or anything, that can help with sleep?

In late September, I moved out of home to student halls, so I started sleeping in a new, unfamiliar bed, and this is when my sleeping issues started. At the moment, I end up struggling to wake up at 7.30am when my alarm goes off (due to lack of sleep). Because of this, I'm generally very tired and dozey throughout the day. Around about 7pm, I start to hit my lowest, and I feel I could fall asleep on the spot. Refusing to sleep there and then, knowing it'd make me too awake nearer bed time, I struggle through it. However, around about 11, near to when I'd start getting ready for bed, I miraculously wake up again. No idea why. Therefore, I get to bed around midnight, shut everything off, and try and sleep, knowing I have an early start. But I still end up feeling wide awake, tossing and turning until about 4am.

At the moment, the only times I can sleep is when I have company. For example, when my boyfriend is round. When he's playing on a game or something, I can easily dose off without any problems. Even when he's not doing anything and is lead in bed, ready to sleep, I can fall asleep easy. But, of course, I cannot have him come round just to help me fall asleep all the time.

So... With all that in mind, does anyone have any advice on how I might be able to sleep better? It's starting to affect my uni work. Cheers.

Ammino acids do the trick for me:
Tryptophan
Gabba


Also sleepy-time caffeine free tea

Can I get Tryptophan and Gabba off the shelf at the chemist? I'm sorry, I've never heard of them before.

[Talkback Thames]

Serethielle

Chamomile tea. Curl up in bed, blankets over legs, propped against pillows, with a quilt draped over you, and drink a mug of chamomile tea slowly.
It'll make you fall asleep fast and naturally.

Sounds relaxing, I'll also try that. Thanks.

[Talkback Thames]

Mameoyashi

Sleep disturbances have been a surprisingly common issue lately. Huh. Change of seasons maybe...

For one- go to bed before you get hyper awake. If you get hyper aake around 11, go to bed at 10.

Honestly the best way I found to deal with the lack of sleep is to just not worry about it. Things suck when you're sleep deprived, you don't think as quickly, your reaction time is shot and you are groggy. Lights and sounds hurt and everything makes you angry. I've been there more times than I care to admit.

If it's just been a few days though... I wouldn't stress about it too much. Stress only tends to compound the problem really. I found that accepting that I'm awake and just doing something (interneting for awhile, reading a book. working on my cross-stitch, turning on a movie I've seen a thousand times) for a little while and then going back to bed helps immensely. I am a fan of the technique of going to bed and if I'm not asleep in an hour I get up and do something for half-an-hour then going back to bed.

If all else fails, lay in bed and try to stay awake. It sounds silly, it sounds stupid, but honestly it's one of the best remedies I've found. It does not work right away. But I found that within a few weeks I can usually reset my sleep schedule by just laying in bed and trying to stay awake- I'll eventually fall to sleep and have vivid dreams all night. But this isn't a quick fix and in the short term can do more harm than good, especially if you have to get up and go to work, so use only with caution.

Okay, I'll try sleeping earlier.

And it's not been a few days. It's been since late September. At first I shrugged it off, as I assumed it was because I was in a new place, and that I'd get used to it. But it hasn't resolved itself, so I'm starting to think that it's not because I'm in a new place anymore. I'll try readig a book for a bit. I'm scared that if I get up and start doing stuff, I might wake myself up a bit too much.

Thanks for the suggestions. (:

[Talkback Thames]

Artzen

I take a hot bath for a long time when i get a bit sleepy. If your place is cold at night, you should try it. When you get out of the bath, let the cool air into your room [open your windows] and hide under your blankets. I do that and I fall asleep easily.

My flat only has shower rooms, no baths.

But I'll try having my window open. Just hope I don't get ill from the cold.

[Violet-Shay]

Talkback Thames

Violet-Shay

I have trouble with both falling and staying asleep, for me the big issue is just relaxing, i can't do it.
I reccomend getting off of the computer etc 30 minutes before bed.
Drink either milk or caffeine free tea, both are calming
Also and this doesn't work for everyone, but play music. Preferably something without words so you don't sing along and stay up. Classical music is good, but for something with a modern twist I reccomend the Vitamin String Quartet.
THis is just what I do, also taking Melatonin can help.

Ah, I'll try making sure I get off the laptop a while before I go to bed, thanks. (:
I have plenty of caffeine tea, but never thought to drink it before bed time.
And thanks for the music suggestion. I used to do it when I was youger but the only way I can play music in my flat is to leave my laptop on... And scared it might overheat being left on so long. But I might try it and see if it's okay.
What is Melatonin? Can I get it off the shelf at a chemist?

No not caffeine tea, tea WITHOUT caffeine caffeine will keep you up to all hours of the morning. Melatonin is a naturally occuring hormone in the body that helps with sleep, some people just produce less, so there are pills that can be taken. You can probably get it off the shelf, but if you can't talk to your doctor.
I don't know how to paste links, but this is a good read about it
http://www.webmd.com/sleep-disorders/tc/melatonin-overview

[Mameoyashi]

Talkback Thames

Okay, I'll try sleeping earlier.

And it's not been a few days. It's been since late September. At first I shrugged it off, as I assumed it was because I was in a new place, and that I'd get used to it. But it hasn't resolved itself, so I'm starting to think that it's not because I'm in a new place anymore. I'll try readig a book for a bit. I'm scared that if I get up and start doing stuff, I might wake myself up a bit too much.

Thanks for the suggestions. (:

Ah ha. Yup, meant to take that part out. Can't lie, the no-stress part was a bit of re-posting some standard sleep-techniques <.<

Honestly, the whole thing still applies a few days or a few months. Stressing about it only makes it worse. Like I said, getting your mind off of things should help, even if it doesn't help you sleep, it helps you feel better about not sleeping.

Well that's the thing, you get up and you do something light, that doesn't stress you out or wake you up. If you're not sleeping anyway after an hour then unless you're on the cusp of sleep you tend to start focusing on not sleeping or on a billion other worries (like not getting up in the morning) and distracting yourself with something light should help things. But you know your body better than mine, I'm just saying things that worked for me and have helped a couple other people before.

[zoe_owen1]

spliff