I can't sleep well at night. Sleeps less than four hours most nights, can anyone offer an advise?

Question

I have sleeping problems infact right now, I can't go to bed and have a normal sleep at night without taking sleeping medicine. I have tried in so many ways as much as I can to have a normal sleep at night, but it's very difficult. I have a lot of stress, which is reducing a little right now, I think that is the main reason of my bad sleeping attitude, I guess. I'm worried of taking sleeping drugs before going to bed every night, as my system has become use to it, and I want a way to have my normal sleep. Please help anyone.

Answer 1

Exercise.

It will help with insomnia and relieve stress.

As other people mentioned above, a dark room is important. If there are light sources in your room (or outside your room that are visible through the curtains), it will mess with your body's internal clock. Eliminate all internal light sources and get thick curtains that block all external light.

Also, don't use your computer at night. The brightness from the monitor will wreak havoc on your body clock (your body will think that it is daytime and work to keep you awake longer).

If you can't sleep, read a book or, better yet, listen to music or audio books with your eyes closed.

Best of luck!

Answer 2

I find that when I'm stressed or something troubles me, I have trouble sleeping. Don't think of the day you had or the day that is ahead of you. Forget everything for the night. Concentrating too hard on sleep isn't going to help either. Don't force it. Try to relax before going to bed by listening to some soothing music or reading in bed. This always helps me. Also try camomile tea, I like it with honey. Don't drink coffee, coke or high sugared drinks. Don't eat too late or anything heavy either. Try and exercise, even if you just go for a half an hour walk to clear your head. Avoid sleeping drugs, they won't solve your problem, only get used to them and eventually they won't work. Or you just get addicted to them.
Hope you'll be able to sort your problem out and get a good night's sleep! :-)

Answer 3

If you are tired the next day then you have a problem, if not don't worry about it. It's just something else to stress about. I have also had 'stress sleeplessness' from time to time, especially since my wife died. Don't drink beer before you goto bed or you will want the toilet and if you wake up at about 3/4am things can REALLY get to you. They get out of hand. You could try a brandy or whisky. Alcohol is good like that in small quantities.

I dont like real medication. If you do get the 4o'clock horrors just get up and have a cuppa. Yes you will be tired but you will sleep the next night and you have to find a way of breaking the habit of waking up, tossing and turning. Anything to stop getting frantic. Walking is good too, just before you go tobed or an hour before you usually get up. This isn't really the right season for it. I got a dog . . . that helped, I have to go walks.

You have a horrible complaint, but there are a lot of us who have it or have had it. You aren't on your own.

Answer 4

Whenever possible stick to a strict routine by going to bed at exactly the same time and get up at exactly the same time in the morning 7 days a week. Don't alter this even at weekends. Don't have caffeine drinks or chocolate in the evening and try reading a book for 10 minutes in bed before turning the light out. Make sure also that the room is a comfy temperature and that there is as little light as you can manage or alternatively wear eye shades. All this works for me and I hope it helps you. I know how awful lack of sleep feels and you have my full sympathy

Answer 5

Its true that you can develop a tolerance to sleeping tablets quite quickly and they then no longer work. It's also not a good idea to get hooked on them for other reasons, such as the health of your liver. Why not try to go for some exercise in the evening, not just before bed, but a few hours before. It helps you to de-stress and once the adrenaline rush wears off, it should get you feeling tired.

Answer 6

Hi - Im a member of another forum and a member has been raving recently about Manuka Honey. You stir it into your bedtime drink and after a few days of taking before bedtime, youll be sleeping loads better. Ask in your local health shop for the best one, believe its a bit pricier than normal honey (about £5 a jar) but its a recognised cure for everything the world over. Go on, give it a go!xx

Answer 7

I had this problem when i started a new job.
try to avoid any kind of sleeping drugs.
Avoid eating late, alcohol.
Caffeine stays in your system for up to eight hours so just have it in the mornings.
Horlicks last thing at night.
Totally dark room.
But the biggest problem will be stress, maybe learn some meditation, do regular exercise and learn to breath long and slow to calm you down.
Good Luck!

Answer 8

Same problem myself, although I've never taken drugs for it. Tried Kalms once and it sort of worked but it left me feeling tired all the next day. Try to stay off the coffee and the alcohol. Try to relax before going to bed, I get a cup of twinnings cammomile, honey and vanilla tea and relax with some music before going to bed, doesnt work all the time but its better than it was.

Answer 9

About an hour before bed,dim lights and turn of the telly. Calm/quiet music if you like-or just silence. Have a nice bath with lavender essence oil in it,and just relax. Warm milk with a touch of brandy or a glass of red wine (just the one!) also help aid sleep. (And a nightly glass of red wine is good for your heart!)

Answer 10

well i had horrible sleeping habbits too and i started taking meds for it but i got on a strict schudule. i was in bed at 10 every night with a pill already in my system. a month later i stopped taking the pills and my sleep has never been better. i do however take and occasional pill when i feel really awake