why does worrying keep you awake and what can you do about it?

Answer 1

Here's my philosophy...
If you can fix the problem, don't worry, it will be taken care of.
If you can't, it's out of your hands and can't do anything about it.

Answer 2

The increased brain activity resulting from worry, prohibits the sleep mechanism. This type of insomnia is sometimes helped by taking a sleep aid. Melatonin is a natural sleep inducer which has no side effects and is not habit forming. However, there are stronger sleep medicines that can leave you groggy in the morning. I don't recommend those unless they are prescribed by a doctor. I read an article once that said if you have worries at bedtime, write them down on a piece of paper and promise yourself that you'll address them in the morning. Might work -- who knows. Also, you can take a warm bath or shower, drink a glass of milk and eat half a turkey sandwich, which are both loaded with tryptophan, another natural sleep inducer. Read a boring book. Spray your sheets with lavender water. Lavender, chamomile and vanilla are said to induce sleep using aromatherapy. If all else fails, try the time-honored method of counting sheep. Good luck and happy Z's!

Answer 3

I had a habit of worrying about things when I'm laying down to go to sleep at night.

What I do now is read until I'm just about falling asleep and then when I turn out the light and lay down I consciously keep my thoughts away from anything close to worrying.

It takes practice but I either count or think of sitting next to a stream (sounds dorky but it works) and then before you know it you are sleeping.

Answer 4

It keeps you awake because you can't stop thinking about a problem or problems. Try meditation. Sit under a tree as close as possible to the trunk and meditate. The peaeful energy of the tree will refresh you and the meditation will relax your mind and you will be able to sleep.

Answer 5

try some warm green tea, such as chammomile or catnip, shortly before bed. then while lying down, begin flexing each group of muscles, starting with your feet. hold the flex for a moment, then release. feel the tension leave those muscles. move on to the calves, the thighs, genital, stomach, chest, back, shoulder, neck, and scalp.. by then i am usually dozing. if any stray thoughts come in, mentally put a bubble around them and watch them float away.

Answer 6

Of course when we settle down for the night and try to clear our minds - no such luck. All is quite but our minds are not ready to turn off. Discuss this with your doctor since this is partly caused by anxiety. We need to sleep and dream. This can cause health problems and who needs other problems on top of the ones already causing us to lose sleep. Your doctor might prescribe an anti-anxiety drug. Be careful if he/she recommends a sleeping aid - one side effect of most are nightmares. For me I fell asleep and my mind had the advantage of taking my problems and adding a whole new cast of players.

Answer 7

turn on the light, get some cold milk from the fridge, turn on the TV and watch a nice show for 30 min (like a comedy show or Animal Planet) to get your mind off your worries.

Or read the Bible until your mind is calmer..or pray-usually calms you and fills you with hope and serenity.

You can always talk to a doctor too, if you're having trouble sleeping for a looong time.

Relax!

Answer 8

See anxiety & insomnia at http://www.ezy-build.net.nz/~shaneris on pages 3 & 6.

Answer 9

remind yourself that worrying solves nothing and just wastes energy and then think about something nice if you are tired enough you should drift off

Answer 10

i am not sure why but i tend to have sleepless nights when my examinations are near. i tend to masturbate before my sleep so that i would be able to relax