any tips for insomnia?

Question

i have suddenly developed insomnia and it's not the best thing becase school is starting soon and i really want to kick the habit.
any advice?

Answer 1

LOL. Poor thing. I sympathize with you 100%. Why? Well, here it is, day 23 of little to no sleep. Almost 2AM, and I have three kids that wake up at the crack of dawn.

There is no "magic remedy" that will help, unfortunately. At least, not one that is 100% guaranteed to work for every person. Some remedies that I have tried:

1. Meditation - Lay down in bed. Turn off the light, TV, radio...everything. Breathe from your naval in 10 second intervals. Count the breaths, or envision something monotonous (yes, even counting sheep!).

2. Warm milk - There is a chemical in WARM (not cold) milk that makes some people sleepy. Although, i am not a fan of warm milk. Ick.

3. Do not do anything mentally or physically stimulating - Sometimes, I put on the Weather Channel. Some websites suggest not reading anything interesting or excersizing.

4. Lay off the caffeine, nicotine and alchohol - At least three hours before bedtime.

5. Do not use your bed for anything but sleep and sex (if you are of age) - Your mind developes bad habits quickly, and if you read in bed, or talk on the phone, it will be harder for your brain to turn off.

6. Don't force it - If you can't fall asleep, get up after 15 minutes or so. Watch TV. Keep telling yourself how sleepy you are.

7. Drink chamomile tea - It is supposed to be relaxing.

These are just some suggestions. Even if you get a few hours of sleep, it is better than none. Best of luck.

Now, I am off to try to sleep as well.

Answer 2

I suffered from insomnia for a couple of years. Here are a few suggestions: If you have a tv in your room get rid of it. Get room darkening blinds or drapes. Paint your room a calming color. Wear a sleep mask. Avoid caffeine late in the day. This may sound weird, but I have a hand held BOGGLE game that i play every night---It is so boring and monotonous, I always fall asleep while playing. Try all these things and if you must, take a Tylenol simply sleep. I had to see a doctor about my insomnia which is often a symptom of an underlying problem like depression or anxiety. Good luck! I know it is terrible not getting any sleep. Just don't let it go on too long.

Answer 3

Hey, I know how you feel I too have battled with insomnia. Insomnia is one of those things that happens for different reasons for different people and can be cured in various ways depending on the underlieing cause. For some people it can just be because they have to much on their mind and they are under stress (are you stressed about going back to school or other reasons) just relax and get it from your mind, take a nice hot bath read a book, or watch tv before you fall asleep. Then for some people, like myself, insomnia is caused by problems that have to be cured using medication. I wouldn't suggest to everything to use a sleeping aid like over the counter sleeping pills but if you feel like you must you may want to ask your doctor about it. They can become highly addictive. I am biplor and suffer from clinical depression so I'm on medication to balance out my moods and it makes me sleep. Prior to having the medication I would stay up for days on end. I'm talking 10 days at a time, sleeping pills didn't work, nothing. I had to get the problem cured because I thought I was going insane. By the 8th day you truely start seeing stuff that isn't there I don't recommend it.
I've also read that you should use your room as a place to sleep only which means don't use the computer in there or do other stuff. The brain cognitivlty gets used to doing activies with in your room other then sleeping so when you lay down to sleep it sometimes thinks it should be doing other stuff. Also I read that you should only sleep one way meaning if you have a special type of clothes you like to sleep in you should only sleep in them. I don't know if it works but is worth a try anythings better then lack of sleep, right. Good luck!

Answer 4

Don't toss and turn in bed. Go do something else like read or listen to Jack Johnson (That does the trick for me all the time) Tossing and turning tells your brain it's ok not to use the bed for sleeping. Get some exercise. Don't have any sugar or caffeine within two hours of bed. In fact start pushing back your meal schedule if necessary. Try some Valerian root or Melatonin.

Answer 5

Heres one of those things that sounds ridiculous but it works..it certainly did for my insomnia..

Just before going to bed have a sandwich of lettuce.. just lettuce..it may sound grose but its really OK.

Answer 6

Get no sleep or only 2 hours of sleep on the 1st day of your week. This lets you stay up late and get things done the day before the first day of your week. At the end of the first day, stay up the entire day, this feels like crap and you will be moody and emotional just get through it. This will kickstart your sleeping habits for the week. IF YOU FALL ASLEEP BEFORE THE 1ST DAY IS OVER WITH YOU ARE SCREWED, and have to start all over again. Take your sleep seriously. It takes alot of discipline.

Answer 7

Insomnia
http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index?qid=20060819234519AA3pSNu

http://ca.answers.yahoo.com/question/index?qid=20060716001743AAIH72N

Answer 8

Buy a CD that plays Ocean Waves sounds. That always helped me

Answer 9

No caffeine, drink warm milk, take a lukewarm bath... read some good books or a bible with good music...
That's all i can say.

Answer 10

no coffee or anyth similar, no heavy meals and exciting movies before bedtime. try to drink a glass of warm milk or read a sweet novel, it helps.