why can i not sleep!?

Question

i have not slept for the last 5 days. i did a couple of all nighters last week as i was monitering a pregnant mare through the night. But now i can not get to sleep. I feel tired but can't sleep.

have tried counting sheep, it didn't work. got any tips on how to get to sleep without taking medication? it's never been a problem before

Answer 1

You might have insomnia, try this:

Techniques you've probably already tried but are still worth trying again.

See a Doctor
Take a Warm Bath
Get a Massage
Listen to Music
Drink Warm Milk
Drink Herb Tea
Eat a Bedtime Snack
Avoid Caffeine, Alcohol and Tobacco
Sleep in a Well-Ventilated Room
Sleep on a Good Firm Bed
Sleep on Your Back
Get Some Physical Exercise During the Day
Keep Regular Bedtime Hours
If You Can't Sleep, Get Up
Don't Sleep In
Get Up Earlier in the Morning
Keep Your Bed a Place for Sleep
Avoid Naps
Avoid Illuminated Bedroom Clocks

Of course there's the standard technique that everyone knows (although it never worked for us)

Counting Sheep

And some techniques you probably haven't seen before

Sleep With Your Head Facing North
Don't Watch TV or Read Before Going to Bed
Toe Wiggling
Stomach Rub
Progressive Relaxation
Deep Breathing
Visualize Something Peaceful
Visualize Something Boring
Imagine It's Time to Get Up
Quiet Ears
Good luck! Have a pleasant sleep!

Answer 2

You're body has probably gotten use to staying up at night because of that have you tried some sleepy time or chamimille tea try to relax take a nice hot bath or whatever soothes you candle's , music etc. and just lay down and relax try to read for some reason when I try to read a book that seems to make sleepy at times try something like that and hopefully before you know it you will be sleep another thing to I noticed you said you are taking care of a mare is it bothering you as far as it being sick cause worrying and stress can be the cause to hope this helps.

Answer 3

I actually spoke to my doctor about this today. He said that you should try to go to sleep but that if you are awake for half an hour you should get up and do something calm like read a book for 20 minutes and then try again. You repeat this process until you get to sleep nut also get up at your usual time. This will help settle you back into a normal sleeping pattern.

He said that if you spend long periods of time lying awake in bed it becomes normal and you will not associate bed with sleep.

I also however find lavender oil either added to a bath before bed or put in a burner by your bed pretty effective.

My doc also said to try herbal remedies available at larger pharmacies if that doesn't work and give them a go for a couple of weeks before asking for medication.

Hope this helps. x

Answer 4

Dear Beanie, I sympathize completely; I had insomnia for six years after I went to uni for the second time.
Insomnia doesn't mean you never sleep, it can also mean you regularly take more than 30mins. to get to sleep, or have a lot of interrupted sleep. Many insomniacs go to sleep problem clinics where they are first observed. Often it is found that they're actually getting more sleep than they realized, and that alone often is enough to help many of them. Have you never found that you seemed to shut your eyes for only a few moments, but your clock reveals that it was maybe a few hours?
My tip is this: go to bed as usual, then as you lie there, try to stay awake! I'm not kidding, think about it, how many times (possibly on Christmas Eve) have you tried to stay awake, only to become frustrated by how often you find yourself nodding off?
You've no doubt tried all sorts of things to fall asleep and failed, now try the opposite and perhaps you'll fail at that too.
You can also try the following:
look up Prof. Robert Winston's one-off show "How to Sleep Better" on the BBC web-site;
try you local colleges or universities to see if they have sleep clinics;
look up Prof. Colin Espie at Glasgow Uni's website (www.gla.ac.uk) as he researches sleep problems and may be able to advise you.
Good luck, and good night!

Answer 5

Tips to Sleep Well
http://tips-to-sleep.blogspot.com/2006/09/tips-to-sleep-well.html

Answer 6

Are you taking anything with Caffeine??? If so limit it to the morning. Have a hot bath before bed and read a book or magazine. If stress is the cause of you insomnia I would suggest exercise and massage therapy to help reduce it.

Answer 7

try a hot shower or a relaxing bath, no soda or caffeine related products before you try to go to bed, put on some music, make yourself a cup of green or chamomile tea, put on some tranquil music on your iPod or MP3 player and dont think of anything. the reason that you cannot sleep is that you are so tired ,that your body is so exhausted that you just cannot seem to close your eyes. it has happened to me too but not for 5 days-mine was like 2 days- just stop thinking about anything before you go to bed: school, life, whatever-forget about it!

Answer 8

Take a nice hot bath. That always relaxes my muscles and I feel very tired and sleepy when I lay down. Works for me!

Answer 9

i have the same problem don't lie in bed that makes matters worse try getting up for a lil while watch a lil TV then take a good book to bed with you that tends to work for me hope this helps

Answer 10

just relax, try breathing excersises, a warm bath, hot drink etc. your body clock is probably screwed up, try some of the tips people have posted, and failing that see a doctor.