Falling Asleep
 

For some odd reason I can't fall asleep every once and awhile. Counting sheep, reading, masturbating, nothing works to knock me out. For about a month once the only way I could fall asleep was with alcohol in me. Which I couldn't do if I had to work the next day. So the only sleep I was getting that was actually restful was on my days off. Any suggestions on how to knock me out without a blunt object? Does anyone else have this problem? It's not like I'm not tired. I am. Just can't get to sleep.

You might see your doc about some sleeping pills, the new generation isn't so stupefying & addictive as the downers we had in earlier days. Lunesta worked well for me, but I couldn't stand the nasty taste in my mouth the next day. I've had bouts of insomnia in the past, but my biggest problem these days is nerve pain (neuropathy), & my sleep-help meds these days are more geared to treating that.

I think too much and this happens to me a lot during the work week. I either get, do something, then start over or I lie there and make lists of things.

Lord Snow,

One technique that is often recommended is to schedule your sleep for the same time each day. This has helped me.

Oh how I hate when that happens! Tylenol PM works well for me.

Hope you get restful sleep soon!

(((Hugs)))

OH, I tend to get on the 'net and blog at 3 or 4 am when I'm hit with insomnia. But like the alcohol for you, that's not a good optin when I have to workt he next day.

If you really need the chemical re-arrangement, I'd back up what schotzoid said.

But also go further: will your insurance pay for a sleep study?If so, I'd highly recommend one, before resorting to chemical means.

Nobody's mentioned diet? Have a look at things like sugar intake or caffeine.

Maybe even keep a diary of when you have the insomnia-spells, and what you ate that day that was any different.

And try to lay off caffeine six hours before bedtime.

Chemical means:
- Tylenol PM is good
- Stay off caffeine

Behavioral:
- Don't do work or activity that engages you right before bed. Take a relaxing walk or bath or shower instead.
- Go to bed at the same time every night
- Breathe deeply and focus on your breathing/meditate if that's what does it for you

Other
- Have a glass of warm milk (especially if hunger is keeping you up)
- Get up and work for 30 minutes, then try again. Sometimes you just have to get outta bed

I go to bed about the same time every night. Don't eat or drink after nine. Only thing I do right before bed is read, but I've done that since I learned how. If I don't have to work the next day and I don't have anything to drink I stay up and play video games or something, but I can't do that on nights I have to work. The sleep study might not be a bad idea. Like a typical geek I have asthma and allergies and either could be the cause. I know that's one of the reasons why I don't sleep well when I do. Course, it might also be similar to Lil. Just too much thought. Meditation is good when I'm having asthma problems and need to calm down my breathing, but it doesn't put me to sleep. Thanks again for the suggestions, if you think of anything else let me know.

Sleep in a church pew or a chair at a faculty meeting. I always can sleep in those places :p

<<<<<-----------atheist, no church for me. Work almost put me to sleep today. Or I should say, not being allowed to work almost put me to sleep today. I'd explain, but that's a lot of information that I don't feel like typing.

Attack of the insomnia again. Only this time I know what's causing it and can't do anything about it. Course the real fun is my usual means of solving this problem isn't working. Right now it's caused by to much on my mind. This I usually fix by hashing it out verbally by myself. Yes, talking to yourself is bad and answering yourself is worse (done both for years and it's worked until this point). Now the fun part, my only two friends are both currently extremely busy, one with a new career and the other with work, school, and who knows what else. I come to you supportive people pleading, someone come and knock me out with sledge hammer!

no sledge hammer but a phone book works and no bruises

Yes, but the sledge hammer would end my sleeping problem forever. The Yellow Pages would only work for one night.

I don't think my suggestion is feasible for you. I however was awake.... though I dunno if talkin to me was ever helpful.