I can't sleep
 

It's been seemingly weeks since I've had a good nights sleep. For the past 4 or 5 days I've woken up between 2 and 3 am and haven't been able to fall back asleep. I had to use my last unscheduled vacation day today because I've been up since 2:33 am.

What should i do? How can i fix this problem? I'm exhausted.

Try not using any screen based electronics after about 7 pm. This includes TV. Also get an over the counter melatonin supplement. Finally, if you are waking up at 3, go with it and get up and do something. Use the time to get something done and you will likely fall asleep earlier.

This has worked for me in the past....

There are many reasons as to why a person can't sleep.

You need to figure that out.

You may have anxiety problems or stressed out that is making it difficult for you to relax? Maybe you're overweight and have breathing problems? Maybe you don't have a set schedule to sleep and work revolving shifts?

First thing you should do is consult with your doctor about this issue. I would recommend a sleep study.

I usually just hang out at night and watch the baseball game, i was wondering if TV and playing around on my cellphone was maybe having something to do with it. I usually don't have trouble falling asleep, but staying asleep.

I also think my job has been getting to me more than usual.

I used to take melatonin, but it got to the point where it wasn't working for me anymore. This was a few years ago though, so maybe it would work again.

I've been thinking about going to the doctor and trying to get some ambien or something.

Many things can effect sleep. Diet, Alcohol/Drug(both prescription and recreational use) Consumption, Lack of Exercise, Stress/Anxiety, Depression, Various Medical Conditions.

I'd analyze the above first as it relates to your lifestyle and then adjust as necessary. Taking prescription meds should be your last alternative. When I am having problems sleeping, it's generally one of two things for me - Stress/Anxiety relative to work or because I have been eating like shit. I find if I can maintain a good healthy diet and exercise regularly, then I can manage any stress related sleep issue.

Good luck!

Trying doing a good 1 hour workout. Either lifting of cardio or both. I have been sleeping great since.

https://biotest.t-nation.com/system/...png?1419439482

Non-addictive supplement that I have found to work much better than melatonin. I experience sleeplessness quite a bit as well, and this is the only thing that seems to work.

I drink on the weekends, but rarely if ever on work nights. I had a few last night though, so i was also curious if that had something to do with it.

I think it is a lot to do with stress/anxiety from work. My mind races when I'm laying in bed.

Maybe i need to go see a shrink?

Why would you do this, when you have random guys on the Internet to consult?

Oh, you know. Free medical advice is free medical advice.

Plus I'm likely not the only person on CP to ever deal with this issue, it's not life threatening, so any and all advice is appreciated.

Yeah, but I'm mostly just giving you shit. But, in seriousness, if it's bad enough to be costing you vacation days I wouldn't spend to much time listening to us "but I did stay at a Holiday Inn Express last night" types. I'd consider consulting a doctor.

I know. I'm just cranky :) it's all good

Come to find out my primary care physician retired. So i guess i can spend my afternoon finding another one.

I had an insomnia problem in 2000 that drove me nuts for about 6 months. Finally I read a segment in Dale Carnegies book on worry/anxiety. One chapter was devoted to insomnia. In it he basically says Docs claim its non threatening and usually goes away on its own and some folks barely need any. That worrying about sleep is the best way to NOT fall asleep


I then stopped obsessing about needing sleep when i hit the pillow and it went away. (Having kids will end much of your sleeping anyway)

You've thought about roofie'ing yourself or me?

I know a lot of people say not to watch TV in bed but this helps me at night when I wake up like that. I will pop on an episodes of TV I have seen before (lately been using The Big Bang Theory) so I won't get interested in them but they are enough of a distraction that my mind won't start racing. Might want to give it a try if other things are not working. It isn't for everyone I am guessing.

Drink more.

Only 1 person in an entire thread with a sarcastic answer. Pretty impressive.

I have trouble sleeping as well, but it's mainly due to my children waking up and screaming for some reason.

They've started sleeping better and coincidentally so have i.

But I would recommend exercising/upping your exercise routine. Worked for me

I participated in a sleep study when I was diagnosed with mild sleep apnea. The doc in charge of that study really saved me with some simple advice for preparing to go to sleep.

1. No tv or caffeine or stimulants of any kind within 2 hours of going to bed.
2. Create a routine that you follow every night.
3. Once you lie down, don't immediately try to go to sleep. Just lie there for 5 or 10 minutes with your eyes open, just letting yourself relax and unwind. Look around the room or just stare at the ceiling. Once you start feeling relaxed, close your eyes.

I follow that routine every night and sleep pretty well. Hopefully, something in this may help you.

Good luck.

I had the same problem until I stopped drinking red wine in the evening and taking this before bedtime.

Another likely reason for my problems is i work swing shift. One week of 7am-3pm then one week of 3p-11pm, so that ****s with any normalcy in my sleep patterns. It's not really hard to get used to staying up late for me, but getting reconditioned back to 1st shift at my job is a real bitch. Coincidentally enough, last week i was on first shift. I think I'm about to start a good 7 month stretch where i don't have to work 2nd shift, so hopefully that will help too.

Ahh. Your circadian rhythm is ****ed. Swing shift has destroyed any chance of your body developing a normal pattern. Unfortunately some people's bodies can just never adapt to it and your sleep will suffer as long as you work it. There are things you can do to help though:

http://sleepcenter.ucla.edu/body.cfm?id=54

Sarcasm? I was serious.

I used to drink a lot.

Hangovers are getting too bad.

Try no booze for a few hours before bed. Alcohol causes your body to figh back with a stimulant, then when alcohol wears off, the stimulant wakes you, typically 4-5 hours later.

1. Stop doing meth
2. Turn on either NASCAR or a soccer game

I bring up any of the first 5 seasons of MST3000. There's something calming to me about Joel Hodgson's voice.

Love me some MST3000

You guys are slipping.

https://www.brakeandclutch.ie/Userfi...-.-coolant.jpg

Don't bother, you won't remember the great sex you had

Netflix with any of the Ken Burns documentary's put me right out.

If I can't fall back to sleep I just rub one out then good to go

Try being on nights for awhile and having consistent sleep....ugh it blows

Ambien

When you have 15000 head of hogs you never sleep well. Always something to worry about . ALWAYS !

Just drink till you pass out. Mission accomplished.

Ready for the reboot?

I was hoping you'd be along shortly. I was about to name-drop you.

I'm seriously considering it.

But I've heard that stuff can make you do crazy stuff

It's not "think" it's you "know it has something to do with work".

Assess what is making you anxious at work and communicate your fears to whoever you need to communicate with whether it is colleagues or bosses and a lot of times both. This will do wonders to calm you down. Now if it is something nefarious going on at work that is a whole another conversation. Only you know what really is bothering you at work and 90% of the time just getting things out on the table and knowing where others stand as well with you is very calming because now you know the truth.

Try everything in your power first before looking to a sleep aid like that.


This includes paying for fellatio every night before bed if you must.

Don't get hooked on that stuff. This is just temporary. Open your heart to those who you trust and just talking and getting things out will do wonders.

You might try reading. I mean from an actual physical book. Something pleasant but not too interesting.

Go hoggin

This works for me. (BTW there are many past threads on this). Picture a black board in front of your nose...totally black, nothing else. Just think of the blackness. Your mind will wander a bit, that is ok as long as it is not about work or other stressors. If that happens, back to the black board. If they are happy thoughts, float with it. If not, back to the board.

Rinse and repeat.

Option #2 If you have any mutual funds, try and read the Prospectus, the little booklet you get every quarter. BOOM, out go the lights.

Option #3

:) that works for me as well.

What do we do if someone asks for suggestions about antifreeze? Post helpful pics of energy supplements, penis enlargers, and sleep aids? Has there been an antifreeze thread?

Well, you can try cbd oil/weed or gummies. Also it is possible to take sleeping pills, but ask a doctor first and check doses, side effects and contraindications first (I use Canada Drugs for this purpose). In case you don't want to take anything, try yoga and meditation. Hope it helps.

Weed.

You're welcome.

So is this some sort of bot or nah?

I wish I could smoke some weed. Job does randoms and I probably shouldn't be taking any risks right now.

Are you getting up to p? If so, no liquids for 2-3 hours before retiring might help.

If not:

Take a good long walk before you go to bed but not just before. I might even say walk until you're tired. ( Do you get enough exercise?)

Chamomile tea. Celestial Seasons has a Honey Vanilla Chamomile tea, if you don't care for the taste like I do. I think they have one called Sleepy Time tea. I know I said no liquids but take this early enough, just to relax you.

I've read, you should not keep your cell phone too close to you when you sleep too.

Don't eat anything close to your bed time. No stimulants like coffee either.

If you do read, read fairy tales. ( BTW, this really works well.)

Don't do anything stressful in the evening but relaxing things. Might even turn off the news, it's nearly all bad.

If all else fails, try a natural non-additive sleep- aid. Something like valerian or has that in it. I'd suggest melatonin but not if you're under 50. Your body has less as you age and helps with sleep, but you don't want to get used to it if you're younger. It's a hormone and I don't like to mess with that stuff.

If something is bothering you or you have stress, it can affect your sleep, which can wreck havoc on your body and lead to imbalances in your body that keep you up. You might even have a deficiency in something that helps you relax.

I forget the brand, but I got a free sample with cbd oil (which I was told is not weed) that I tried once which worked beautifully for me after flying and staying my first night in a hotel, when I usually have a hard time relaxing. Actually, I have anxiety that keeps me up before the first business day at a new location. Man, that stuff just shut down all my worried thinking about this or that or if I would be late or something else going wrong.

It was weed

Are you talking to me? I was told it technically wasn't weed but came from same plant.

And I am technically not the prince of Canada