i have a really hard time falling asleep....any ideas??

Question

it takes me forever to fall asleep. i can't sleep unless 'i love lucy' is on in the backround. and that doesn't keep me awake because i hace fallen asleep to it pretty much every night for 2 years and i have every episode memorized so i don't even pay attention to it. so that doesn't keep me awake or distract me or anything. but i am always really tense and it's hard to relax and get comfy for bed.
and once i'm asleep, apparently i'll sometimes get out of bed and talk to my brother and my mom or talk to my dog or even pick up my dog and bring him out of my room. and i never remember it. everyone thinks i'm awake when i'm doing it, because my eyes are open and i'm not walking like a zombie or anything. except sometimes i don't really make sense when i talk. that's they're only clue that i'm not all there...
any ideas to help me fall asleep and STAY IN BED?

Answer 1

maybe see a specialist or listen to some calm music. listening to music sometimes work.

Answer 2

I had the same problem and here are the suggestions that I was given that really seem to work:

Before bed do not eat any dairy products or the obvious caffeine, also, do not eat apples before bed, they had natural energizing effect.

When laying down to sleep if you find that you are laying there for more than 10 minutes get up and sing. I was taught this by a therapist. If you sing or write in a journal you are shifting your brain to focus on creative thoughts which in turn use the side of the brain that balances your sleep functions.

I have also found that a heated neck wrap helps. Find a neck wrap that has lavender in it. Lavender is a natural relaxation scent. Get one that you can put in the microwave for 30-40 secs, then lay down with the wrap around your neck.

If all else fails you can see a Dr. and have them prescribe ambien or a similar sleep pill. I was told however, that xanax induces a more sound sleep than a traditional sleeping pill and you will awake more refreshed and less drowsy.

Hope that helps.

Answer 3

If you have a hard time going to sleep, switching your sleeping schedule around may be what is best. Not everyone's body is programmed to go to sleep at midnight. If you are crashing at 2am try and keep your self up for longer than usual (lets say 4am) and set that as your sleeping time and push back when you wake up.

If you dont want to consider this, One thing that worked for me was having somekind of repetitive noise moving (eg. ceilling fan, radio (on as low as you can hear), A/C, etc. When you are going to bed focus ONLY on that sound and think of nothing else. If you are thinking of something else and it cant be put down--put it on paper for in the morning--and dont worry about it. You have to "not think" and keep your brain dorment to go to sleep

I hope this helps. Sorry I cant help with sleepwalking...

Answer 4

1. Maintain a regular bed and wake time schedule including weekends.
2. Establish a regular, relaxing bedtime routine such as soaking in a hot bath or hot tub and then reading a book or listening to soothing music.
3. Create a sleep-conducive environment that is dark, quiet, comfortable and cool.
4. Sleep on a comfortable mattress and pillows.
5. Use your bedroom only for sleep and sex.
6. Finish eating at least 2-3 hours before your regular bedtime.
7. Exercise regularly. It is best to complete your workout at least a few hours before bedtime.
8. Avoid caffeine (e.g. coffee, tea, soft drinks, chocolate) close to bedtime. It can keep you awake.
9.Avoid nicotine close to bedtime.
10. Avoid alcohol close to bedtime.

Answer 5

Try getting a relaxation cd like nature sounds, but it on right befor you go to bed and turn off all the lights n TV and listen to the music, close your eyes breathe in thru ur mouth and out thur ur nose, once you do this for 2-5 mintues start relaxing ur body from ur forehead muscles then ur eye brows then the muscles around ur eyes then ur nose n cheeks, ur chin and graudatully ur whole face should be relaxed, then you move on to ur neck mucles and then ur shoulders all the little mucles in ur back all the way down ur spine, then ur tummy once you get to here should be sound asleep, if ur not passed out by then keep moving down ur body, ur hipps ur butt the back ofur legs then the front of ur leg your ankles n all the mucles in ur feet till u get to ur toes, then imagien ur body getting heaiver lile really heavy wet towels n picutre ur body getting wrapped around big comfy pillow around ur whole body that should work... good luck!!

Answer 6

Have you tried any herbal supplements? Melatonin helps you relax and sleep - you can get it in any health food store. There is also an herb called "Sleep Now" by Herbalife and it's great for getting to sleep.
If nothing works you should go to your doctor because he may be able to give you something to help you sleep a little better than just herbs.

Answer 7

falling asleep to the t.v. or radio or anything is bad sleep habits. take the t.v. out of your room along with any other stimulant-radio, clock that glows in the dark, books, all that kind of stuff and make your bed room dedicated for sleeping. you might want to talk to a dr. about it and see if maybe you should take some sleep aids until you get your body used to falling asleep when you want to sleep.

Answer 8

Don't eat late at night. Give yourself at least 4 hours before bed for the foods to settle. Avoid rich foods for supper. Try this for a couple of weeks and see if it makes a difference.

Answer 9

i usaully just walk around or read because when you walk around it tires your body and when you read it tires your eyes, so then you will fall asleep, but i used to have the same problem now i dont because i started doing that , also if you have any pets LIKE DOG OR CAT (ONLY) then what i do is i put them in bed with me and then its easier to fall asleep. BUT DEFINITLY IF IT GETS WORSE OR NOTHING HELPS THEN GO TO A DOCTOR

Answer 10

hey there girl. i am usually ok at falling asleep, but sometimes when i can't, i listen to music. tht really helps. here is a hilarious sleepwalking disaster:
i was sleeping (duh) and then i got up and walked to my mom and dad's room, where they were sleeping. my mom was awake, bcause she is a housewife, so she doesnt hav o get up in the morning, except she has to , to make tea for my dad, so anyways, she was reading her book (which was probably about keeping your house clean or feng shui or something like tht). and so she was awake (duh). and i came into the room, and i got on the bed, and i stepped over her body, and my dad was sleeping on her side, so i stepped over her, and i stepped into my dad's stomach/tummy, and i got down on my dad's side of the bed, and i started apoligizing and saying,"sorry dad, i'm sorry, i won't do it again." and my mom told me afterward and i was totally freaked out, cause that's freaky! i suggest you read bfore going to sleep, and/or get to bed an hour or 2 bfore u usually do (if u hav a planned bedtime, which i dont hav). thanks, and bye. good luck...

Answer 11

Tie yourself down? I have trouble falling asleep myself. Excercise or something to drains ALL of my energy is what helps me sleep really good. I like to do all the things that drain my energy at night so that I can sleep.