Counting sheep but running out...?

Question

Hey,

Guys umm It's like very early in the morning where I am and still CAN'T SLEEP, damn what can you suggest I do? this is bringing me so down I think I'm gonna lose my mind yet!!

Thanks.

Answer 1

lol. Maybe this'll work...

Sleep tips and adviceDo you like to have a weekend lie-in or a nightcap before going to bed? These habits could actually be harming your sleep.

Relax your mind

Simple breathing exercises can help. Breathe, using your abdomen not your chest, through your nose for three seconds, then breathe out for three seconds. Pause for three seconds before breathing in again. Practise this for ten minutes at night (five minutes is better than nothing).
Some people find that lavender oil, valerian or other herbs help them to sleep.
If you still have problems, you could try massage, aromatherapy, or even acupuncture.
If you still find yourself tossing and turning, abandon the bedroom and find something enjoyable and absorbing to do. Jigsaws are perfect. Don't go back to bed until you begin to feel sleepy.
Exercise regularly

Regular exercise is a great way to improve your sleep. Just be careful not to do it close to bed time as exercise produces stimulants that stop the brain from relaxing quickly.
This being the case, exercising in the morning is an excellent way to wake up the body. Going for a run or doing some aerobics releases stimulants into the body, which perks you up.
If you are injured or disabled, you can still benefit from exercise. Check out disability exercise tips.
Create a calm bedroom environment

Your bedroom should be for sleep only. Avoid turning it into an entertainment centre with televisions, computers and stereos.
Two thirds of British children have a computer, games machine or TV in their bedroom and could be losing out on sleep as a result.
Avoid alcohol

It's fine to have a nightcap, but too much alcohol can make you restless. Alcohol is also a diuretic, which means it encourages you to urinate (never welcomed during the night).
Drinking is also more likely to lead to snoring, which can restrict airflow into the lungs. This reduces oxygen in your blood which disturbs your sleep and contributes to your hangover.
Avoid caffeine

Caffeine is a stimulant which can stay in your system for many hours. So avoid sources of caffeine such as coffee, chocolate, cola drinks and non-herbal teas.
Watch what you eat

Eating a large heavy meal too close to bedtime will interfere with your sleep.
Spicy or fatty foods may cause heartburn, which leads to difficulty in falling asleep and discomfort throughout the night.
Foods containing tyramine (bacon, cheese, ham, aubergines, pepperoni, raspberries avocado, nuts, soy sauce, red wine) might keep you awake at night. Tyramine causes the release of norepinephrine, a brain stimulant.
If you get the munchies close to bedtime, eat something that triggers the hormone serotonin, which makes you sleepy. Carbohydrates such as bread or cereal will do the trick.
Set a regular bedtime and wake up time

Create a habit of going to bed and waking up at the same time each day, even on weekends. This helps anchor your body clock to these times. Resisting the urge for a lie-in can pay dividends in alertness.
If you feel you haven't slept well, resist the urge to sleep in longer than normal; getting up on schedule keeps your body in its normal wake-up routine.
Remember, even after only four hours, the brain has gained many of the important benefits of sleep.
It's only natural

Most of us have a natural dip in alertness between 2 - 4pm.
A 15 minute nap when you're tired can be a very effective way of staying alert throughout the day. Avoid napping for longer than 20 minutes, after which you will enter deep sleep and feel even worse when you wake up.
See a doctor if your problem continues

If you have trouble falling asleep night after night, or if you always feel tired the next day, you might have a sleep disorder. It is advisable to seek more advice from your doctor. Most sleep disorders can be treated effectively.

Answer 2

Three suggestions:
1. Warm milk
2. Running a mile
3. Watch the Spice Channel

Though I don't suggest doing all three at once.

Answer 3

Someone once said "from great suffering comes great art" so write a song or paint a picture or make an insectoid sculpture from scrap metal (that's what I do, you can even look at some of my creations at www.tonylaing.blogspot.com)...If you can't sleep it must be because you've got something in your head that needs to come out and be created, so don't fight it, roll with it.

Answer 4

Hiya,
I knkow its probably too late to help you now but it will deffinately help you in future...

If your having problems with actually unwinding yourself in order to feel sleepy then do (and dont) do the following: -

*Dont watch telly or go on the computer for up to 45 minutes before you want to sleep try reading a book

*Drink a hot milky drink half an hour before bed (try to avoid tea coffee for an hour or two before sleeping this applies to any food too)

*Have a hot bath with lavender oil in (also put a drop on your pillow)

*When your in bed lying there trying to 'count sheep' dont this actually stimulates the brain its best to get up out of bed and go downstairs and again read or do some gentle stretches (to increase the oxygen supply to your brain and mussles) - Once you feel sleepy again go to bed and before you try to sleep tense up your mussles in your body working from your feet to your toes bfromt he bottom up until you are tensing your whole body!! thats if you get to this point.. i normally fall asleep when im tensing my shoulders!!!

Answer 5

nope billie its Max Headroom here, i have the power to travel freely from one computor to the next, i am after all the yahoo moderator, i traveled to yours cos i am a huge fan. I know that you are in the UK with a UK IP address (easy to tell when you know how) its ok dude nothing to be ashamed of, UK rocks. I am so happy that the UK own such national treasures as BJ armstrong, i am both excited and proud. Idid my first TV shows in the UK you know, (nice people) It is though almost 1pm, should you not be in canvey island recording studios or something by now?
i mean come on lazy bones... you have had like 13 hours sleep since your last riveting question

Answer 6

read all of what "lamarlingtonidol" had written three times lying in the bed. :)
ok just a joke my syber friend "lamarlingtonidol".
I never counted sheeps..
I was going to tell you to make physical exercise during the day but you are an active man as I examined on yahoo 360o.

Answer 7

Hi,

Haha That happens to me all the time! I go run or watch tv till I'm tired and then I get woke up by my sister so I guess you could try that if you want. Lol I need the 10 points

Answer 8

Just relax. Don't bother with the sheep. Try writing about your day or read. It'll either bore you till you fall asleep or relax you so you go to sleep

Answer 9

Look, when they say counting sheep helps you to sleep, they didn't mean with a calculator!

Answer 10

Grab a bowl of cornflakes or other cereal. A bit of food together with milk will help you. Read a book or newspaper while you eat for company and come off your PC 'til the morning.

Answer 11

Lots of sympathy coming down the wires - it's rotten when you can't sleep. No easy answers, but a nap in the afternoon is nice if you can manage it!
If not, you'll probably catch up on your sleep tonight - good luck!