I don't know how to say this . .

[greentea21]

I've had my share of sleepless nights. On those sleepless nights, I feel extremely restless, as if something inside of me just wants to jump out of my skin. It feels like I'm about to break. At this point I usualy get out of bed and go through these forums or find other distractions. Half and hour later to an hour, I'm back in bed sleeping. You're not alone.

 

[Heather]

I should add except when it's taken over by the cat and my kid lol;):)​

 

[just me here]

I can almost always go to sleep when it's time to, but if I wake up in the night i have to be sure I don't start thinking about anything that brings an emotion to the surface, the adrenaline comes with it and I am up. I always have a radio there, just something I can barely listen to so I don't have nothing but my own thoughts in my head. NPR, sports, old time radio, just not music, music carries too much emotion and I can't listen to it without getting involved in it on some level and that keeps me awake.

If I am up, what better thing is there to do than come here and get help and offer help?

 

[KP the nut]

Although I love chatting on the forum, I try and turn my computer off by 8pm. I would stay on the forum and my mind would start churning about what I'd read, what I had to do, places I had to visit.........

I've found that watching TV, makes me sleepy and I go straight to bed. I then imagine I'm in my safe place, sometimes it works sometimes I add breathing and other techniques but keep my safe place there.

It is working for now.

If someone could get me going at an earlier time in the morning.

 

[Trinomial]

Late night computer and television use has been linked to restlessness. Also, caffeine stays in the body for approximately 24 hours.

I always have to wind down before I do to sleep. Usually I meditate, draw or write, for about 30 minutes to an hour. Sleep medication has been a godsend as well.

I've had insomnia since I was about 5 years old. I used to have terrible nightmares that would wake me and I couldn't go back to sleep for hours. Now, (without medication) I just lie in bed. I think too much. If I get worked up, it's usually at night and it's because I tend to not express my feelings and innerworkings much during the day. This is why I meditate and express myself through sketching and writing.

My theory is that I don't live well, so I don't sleep well--and I don't sleep well, so I don't live well. It's a vicious cycle that I am working on breaking.

Afterall, I don't want to depend on sleep medication forever.

 

[Marie E.]

T - Caffeinated coffee doesn't keep me up for some reason, never has. I am sleeping better now that my lil one is out of the hospital. I don't know how to draw worth sh*t, but can try other coping skills. I can't depend on sleeping pills too much since I got to wake up to get my older one to school.

 

[Trinomial]

There's always an outlet to express yourself. You just have to figure out what works for you.

It doesn't have to be right before bed, either.

Martial arts is my favorite outlet. I have not been able to practice since I injured my hip and lower back, but I hope to find a school of Tai Chi for a reasonable cost soon. I know it won't be the same as Kenpo, but it will be slow and gentle which won't injur me further.

Journaling helps me. I don't always make it personal either. Sometimes I just write down observations I've made or a realization I've had and if I feel compelled, I will analyze it and write that out too. Sometimes expressing thoughts and ideas are as beneficial as expressing feelings or using energy (as in exercise or nurturing a garden, etc.)

I have a friend who doesn't draw well, so she makes collages and takes stunning photographs. Another friend of mine knits (I admire her, I don't have the patience for that! lol)

And I know what you mean about caffeine. I take stimulants anyway for ADhD in the morning and I am immune to minor stimulants such as coffee. My sleep problems started long before I was prescribed ADhD meds though.

 

[Marie E.]

I like to cross stitch and journal. Plus playing with my kids and trying to keep them happy

Reading helps alot before bed, so maybe I will do that, just have to give myself a gentle push.

 

[blueangel371115]

I always felt I was weird. On days when my anxiety is high I can't sleep. My brain just spins and won't stop. My body is on alert. I hate it.

 

[Marie E.]

I just have to allow myself to take a sleeping pill prescribed every now and than. Did that last night, though I feel kinda drowsy today, it was worth it. I don't need to stay up too late, especially on school days for my older son, must catch some zzz's!