What do you do when you can't sleep?

Question

I've been awake since 7 AM yesterday, any good suggestions?

Answer 1

Its helpful to know if your sleeplessness is caused by stress or it may be something chronic like insomnia or cyclical like bipolar which can make you sleepless for a few nights only to be depressed and sleepy for another few nights. If it lasts a long time, please see a doctor because you could get sleep deprivation which can mess up your symptoms.

I have had chronic insomnia for years - stress from raising a kid, work and school added to my sleeplessness. I am trying to relax on a regular basis in order to get caught up on years of lost sleep.

Here is what I have done to help it, both healthy and unhealthy, short term and long term.

Take a hot bath with epsom salts.
Have a glass of red wine.
Practice concentrating on my breath.
Take a dose of Nyquil.
Take a dose of Pamprin Multi Symptom.
Get a prescription for Sonata or Ambien.
Close my eyes and listen to the sounds around me.
Do a yoga tape for PM.
Do a tai chi tape for PM.
Stretch.
Write out everything that I am thinking about.
Have sex.
Read a boring book.
Take a Dramamine.
Take a melatonin tablet
Take Deep Sleep - get it at the health food store.
Meditate.
Talk to a loved one who is a sweet and loving person.
Turn on the electric blanket.
Eat some turkey and warm milk.
Get AdrenaCalm creme from a nutritionist.
Only drink coffee in the morning.
Eat a balanced diet rich with lean meats and veggies.
Put lavender near your pillow.
Drink chamomile tea.
Get an antidepressant such as Lexapro or Celexa.
Listen to soothing music.
Avoid the computer or TV - may be too stimulating.
Avoid deep discussions or arguments later at night.
Ear plugs.
Eye patches/cover.
Have someone tuck you in an sing you a lullaby.
Get a sound maching from Harmonics which has rain, waves, white noise, crickets, etc. Very soothing.
Stay away from stimulant drugs.
Eat a little ice cream.

Just do anything to reduce your stress and make yourself feel comfortable. Good luck - let us know what works for you!

Answer 2

when im up late, or cant sleep it's usually because im trying to figure out some life problem, or trying to complete some epiphany *I think* is too good to put off till morning.

Either way, I will write down whatever is on my mind. I have found out that by writing things down I can make better sense of things, especially since late at night, it's hard to think straight.

Feelings, thoughts, ideas all make more sense when you write them down, and can read them...trust me.

If all else fails... a couple of excedrin PM work great ;)

Answer 3

ok, you opt for for to sleep or not sleep? reason you're saying the two. Your eating, which will positioned you to sleep, and based how lots you have had, additionally make you too impared to tension in some hours. be careful. Sleepy+eating=a large risky driving force, able to killing an harmless on the line

Answer 4

if you wake up, try doing something pretty boring for a few minutes until you feel like you're sleepy. if you still havent been falling to sleep, close the lights and turn off the tv. turn on the airconditioner or open the fan. if youre awake, open the tv and watch something you havent been watching much until you feel bored and want to go off to s deep slumber. try reading a book and try reading a lot until you fall asleep.

Answer 5

The best thing to do is to let me come over, LOL. J/K. Dang......um, that's pretty serious stuff. Last time i had the same problem was because i had just broken up with my G/F.....Anywayz, um some Nyquil...........I guess. - That's really bad for your health, so be careful. Especially, if your not eating right. BUT REMEMBER THAT IT COULD BE COME VERY EXTREMELY SERIOUS, TO THE POINT WERE IT'S GONNA HAVE TO BE A HABIT, A DAILY ROUTINE. THAT KIND OF STUFF LEADS TO DEPRESSION, MORE FRUSTATED WITH THINGS, THAT AND A HUNDRED OF OTHER SYMPTOMS.......SO I WISH YOU LUCK, AND TRY TO GET SOME SLEEP

Answer 6

well i'm a college student and have plenty of textbook and novel reading to do. i'm a huge insomniac so i lay in bed reading until my eyes get heavy and i pass out. i'm also an avid coffee drinker and have learned to stop drinking anything with caffeine or sugar an hour or two before bed. (it's also better for your health!)

it's a great way to fall asleep without pills, which i've done. it just made me feel more tired throughout the day. this is also a great way to cram in more homework in the week giving you more free time to hang out with friends. a great teacher of mine in middle school told us to study right before bed because you fall asleep with whatever your studying the last academic thought in your head and will retain it longer. it's worked for me anyways.

good luck!

Answer 7

at night have,
hot bath
hot chocolate
read a book
if problems are playing on your mind write them down and see to them in the morning
go to bed earlier

Answer 8

I work

Answer 9

Sit at the computer, watch movies, do laundry... whatever!

Answer 10

sex, sex, listen to slow music, sex, masturbate, sex, read a book, sex, excercise, sex, alcohol, sex, and more sex.

edit.
oh and did i mention sex?