Losing It From Lack Of Sleep

[AnnaLost]

I haven't slept a full 6 hours since before my husband died, unless I drank myself to unconsciousness. I'm trying not to do that and have been mostly successful the last 5-6 months, but the lack of sleep is so difficult. If I try and talk about it to anyone I get very little understanding. I'm afraid to go to sleep but I want to so badly. I don't remember what it's like to wake up refreshed and rested.

I bought a Fit Bit to help me track my exercise and have been increasing my activity every week. Unfortunately it also tracks my sleep and restlessness cycles. 1 hour 39 minutes asleep, long break awake, then 3 hours with a lot of restless activity and so on. Ugh. It's depressing. I'm going to show it to my T next week, so she knows I'm not crazy (term used loosely).

Sleep is shown to help improve so many things, including fighting PTSD, but how do you achieve it?! I drag myself through the day, make myself stay busy, then lie awake, tossing and turning until I fall into nightmares and flashbacks. I feel myself losing my grip on...everything.

 

[Changing4Best]

My psych prescribed Hydroxyxine HCL for anxiety, but I take it before bedtime and I believe it also helps me to sleep. I do have some nights when I get enough sleep anyway. I guess it somewhat depends upon what happens during the day also. I agree that exercise is helpful in making one tired and keeping one asleep longer on the nights that I have exercised during the day beforehand. I heard that being on one's computer right before bedtime is not advisable, as the light from the screen makes one more awake for longer. I assume this is also true of phones used as an online means as well.

 

[karamellow]

I listen to sleep hypnosis videos on YouTube sometimes. Jody Whitely has some good ones. Helps me stop the racing thoughts and I usually am asleep before the 15 minute mark. Sometimes I take a bath with Epsom salts and essential oils and listen to a relaxation meditation before bed also. I also read the Bible and write in a prayer journal before bed. Drink sleepytime tea. I have had a lot of trouble with sleep but doing those things help me immensely. I am a wreck without enough sleep. Hope some of those things help. I'm sorry for your loss.

 

[Gadgie]

I was told by someone that their therapist told them to switch off your TV and shut your computer down, or anything that has a screen, half an hour before you go to bed.

Just sit quiet and relax, or go outside for a smoke, or anything like that to relax your mind and body, then go to bed. He told me that he had tried that and found it helped him sleep better.

I've since tired it as well, but I'm afraid it didn't work for me, but worth a try.

 

[DogwoodTree]

I've been struggling with this lately. I'll be up late working, exhausted, then try to go to bed...an hour or more later, I'm still tossing and turning. Then I'll wake up 4, 5, maybe 6 hours later, and not be able to get back to sleep.

So one thing that helped me just this past weekend...I stopped caring about the clock. I tried listening to my body, and when I felt sleepy, I laid down for a nap. Shock me, but I fell right to sleep, even though it was daytime! Slept for a couple of hours, woke up feeling more rested, and kept going through the day. Then when I started feeling sleepy again, laid down and went to sleep for a little while. It didn't matter that I didn't sleep a "full" 8 hours at one time...just resting and sleeping when my body said it was ready is helping me feel more rested now, even with only 2-5 hours' sleep at a time. And it's not nearly the same struggle getting to sleep. Just ignore the sun, ignore the clock, pay attention only to my body, and sleep when I feel like I can.

So, this works for me because I work from home and can set my own schedule, so long as I hit my deadlines. It might be something you can try on the weekend, though?

 

[Gadgie]

Yea! when I was caring for my late wife, I sometimes used to be up all night, but also had to be there for her during the next day.

So if I got the chance during the flowing day, I would take a nap, and even if it was only for thirty minutes, I used to wake up fully refreshed, as if I had slept all night.

Yet I can't do that these days, even if I do feel tired, I just can't sleep during the day, pity really, as I would feel much better for it if I could.

 

[AnnaLost]

Thank you, for all of your replies. Isn't it strange that connections through this medium help us so much? but they do. I'm grateful for that.

I can't even parse what is in my head. I want to sleep, but I cannot. I want someone to hold me and tell me I'm safe, but I can't trust enough to allow it.

I hate my head right now, but enough of me lingers to say - thank you for listening. I hate being this. It hurts so bad. I hate myself that I sit here breaking down, grateful that here is someone out there to hear it. I'm so tired. Of everything and everyone. How do I do this tomorrow? And the next day? And the one after?

I'm sorry. Rough night/week. I'll be OK. I always am so I'm told.

I just want the hurt to stop, even for a little bit. I can deal - I just need a reprieve, even for just a few nights, or days, or something