I have trouble falling asleep everynight, can you help me?

Question

I'm fourteen years old and can't seem to fall alseep at night, even when I'm really tired. I get in to bed between 9:30 and 10:30 but spend HOURS just tossing and turning and my mind-racing. I've tried taking Melatonin with milk, but it hasn't been doing anything. What can I do to help me fall asleep??

Answer 1

Exercise or do something exhausting..me promise you will sleep like tha baby!

Answer 2

try taking the melatonin with water when u take any medications with milk the milk weakens the effect of the medication so that it doesnt work the way it is intended to. My 10 yr old also has trouble sleeping and her doctor told her to take benedryl before bedtime she takes to two half hour before bedtime with a glass of water and within ten minutes she becomes quite drowsy. And if none of these work have ur parents take u to ur family doctor and talk him or her about prescribing sonata for sleep. That is what i take and it helps a great deal. On ten mg pill and i am out for the whole nite. Hope this helps. Good luck...Have a good day.

Answer 3

First of all talk to your family doctor,you are too young to not be able to sleep.But beware of some medicines that may make it worse.Stay away from caffiene too.Deep breathing helps and closing your eyes and imagining you are looking at a blank wall.This worked for me when I used to work and was too tired to fall asleep.Darken your room and turn down the brightness on the tv if you have one in your room,set the sleep timer for at least 1 hour.I find that relaxing and watching a favorite program helps me to fall asleep.However I am on prescription meds(Remeron) because I have trouble falling asleep.I am 60 yrs old now.Talking your problems over with your parents or a best friend or someone you feel comfortable with helps too.Sometimes we tend to keep things bottled up and then can't get them out of our head at night.Take a nice warm tub bath or call a friend and chat for a while.Whatever makes you relax.Good luck!!

Answer 4

Your mind is racing with all that happened that day and all that will happened tomorrow. Here is a trick I learned years ago....

Get comfy and then play a movie in your head. I mean recite (in your mind) each line by each person...

I have 3 or 4 favorite movies that I choose from. I know them well enough to play them most of the way through but never have to. I usually get to about the 5th or 6th. scene.

If you get to sleep but then wake up a bit later start the movie where you left off (so you won't get tired of the same lines).

I find this takes my mind off the trials of the day.

Dream well....

Answer 5

Try Chamomile pills from the health food store. Also are you getting enough exercise during the day? The body needs to be moved and worked. If nothing is working check with a trusted family doctor. Every body needs to get adequate rest or our minds can suffer. Have you ever been checked for ADD or depression related symptoms? Again check with your doctor. Good luck and many sweet dreams!

Answer 6

Maybe more physical exercise and fresh air during the day if you are not getting much - this makes sure your body is tired as well as your mind.

Make sure you aren't eating too much sugar, especially late in the afternoon/evening or taking caffeine from fizzy drinks or coffee.

Make sure you have got organised for school the next day before you go to bed. Make a list of things to do tomorrow before you go to bed, then you can forget about them. Take time to wind down before bed, make sure your room is warm/cool and dark enough and well ventilated. Read a book till sleepy, then snuggle down!

Answer 7

Before you go to bed, like about 30 minutes before, eat a small snack. I suggest 1-2 oz of turkey (triptophan - spelling approximate), a cracker or a cookie, or if you are concerned about your weight - a low glycemic carbohydrate and some nuts - almonds or peanuts are best. Drink about 8 ounces of water with this snack. This is a recipe for some slow burning energy that will help level your blood sugar out for the night.

If your restlessness is due to your brain seeking blood sugar, because it is low, this recipe will help that.

If this works consistently, and you should know it in about 3 days if it will, you may want to check out www.hufa.org for more info on low blood sugar, its causes and things you can do about it.

Answer 8

Are you going through some problems in school? Take some Yoga. It will teach you HOW to breath. You have to breath form your stomach to open a diaphragm ( a muscle below ribs). When you are in bed breath in on 5 counts and exale on 5 counts. And before you go to bed, DO all your homework. And you can take some walk 30 to 1 hour before you go to bed. Good dreams and good luck.

Answer 9

Hormonal changes at your age are common contributors of sleep cycle changes. Talk to your doctor about stress, depression, and other possible contributors.

If you can’t sleep – get out of bed and go do something else and try again later.

Always wake up and try to get some physical activity at the same time every day.

Avoid caffeine containing foods and drinks.

Answer 10

If your mind is racing (I've been there!) you probably have some things to work out... talk to your parents or a counselor or something if there's things you're stressed over... if your mind is more at ease you may sleep a little better. Good luck!

Answer 11

Talk to your doctor but I would recommend exercise before bed and the melatonin and the talk to your Dr.