Who knows the cure for an insomniac that can't sleep?

Question

I do my homework, internet and reading at night. Until the wii hours of the night. I have horrible body aches the morning afte and i'm sleeping less and being a lot more active. But it's hindering my ability to do presentable art work and my back is in a constant knot. What might I do to get to sleep?

Answer 1

Don't torture yourself. The worst thing that an insomniac can do is to lie in bed tossing and turning. If you can't fall asleep after 15 to 20 minutes, get up and do a quiet activity, such as reading, watching TV, or listening to relaxing music. Then, go back to bed and try again.

Say no to naps. If you nap, you'll have more trouble getting to sleep the next night, thereby compounding your insomnia. It's best to let yourself get good and sleepy so that it will be easier to get to sleep the next night.

Try earplugs. Sometimes, insomnia is caused by being awakened repeatedly by loud noises. Often, the sleeper is not aware of what awakened them. Try sleeping in a quieter room, or wear earplugs.

Exercise. Doing aerobic exercise, such as walking, cycling, jogging, or swimming, helps with sleep. Don't exercise too close to bedtime, though -- exercising in the morning or afternoon is best.

Get a comfortable bed and pillows. Sleep may elude you if your bed is too hard or too soft, or if your pillows aren't just right.

Don't drink alcohol. Although alcohol can make you feel drowsy and may actually put you to sleep, it has the unpleasant side effect of waking you up later on in the night with a headache, stomachache, or full bladder. In addition, once alcohol's sedative effect wears off, there's a rebound effect that actually makes you more likely to have trouble falling back to sleep.

Cut down on caffeine. Caffeine, by its nature, stimulates your brain. Limit your coffee intake to two cups a day. Starting at noon, consume no foods or beverages that contain caffeine.

Don't switch beds or move to the couch. It is important to associate your bed, and only your bed, with sleep.

Try to maintain a normal schedule. Perhaps the most important rule for people with insomnia is to keep a strict sleep-wake schedule, even on weekends. If you can't sleep one night, get up at your usual time the next morning and don't take any naps. Chances are you'll be ready for a sound sleep by the next night.

Confine work to the office. Use your bedroom only for sleep and sex. No work, no eating, no television, and no arguing with your bed partner.

Take a hot bath. A hot bath taken two hours before bedtime is a wonderful way to relax your body and make it ready for sleep. For most people, taking a bath closer to bedtime may be stimulating and may delay sleep (of course, there are always exceptions, so experiment with the timing if you need to).

Establish a relaxing bedtime ritual. When mothers bathe their children or read to them every night before bedtime, they are reinforcing a signal that it's time to settle down and get ready for sleep. Establishing such a ritual may also be helpful for adults.

Prepare your bedroom for sleep. The best sleep environment is one that is dark, quiet, comfortable, and cool, according to the National Sleep Foundation.

Don't eat before bed. Finish eating two or three hours before bedtime.

Try a sleeping pill. You're not admitting defeat by asking your doctor for a prescription sleeping pill or by trying an over-the-counter (OTC) remedy. However, most prescription pills should not be used for more than a month at a time. They should also not be used for insomnia at high altitudes, since that type of insomnia may be caused by trouble breathing and a lack of oxygen, and taking sleeping pills at high altitudes may slow your breathing rate even further.

Some doctors don't endorse OTC sleeping pills, since they can cause side effects such as drying out the mucous membranes in your mouth, nose, and throat (they often have antihistamines as ingredients) and can leave you drowsy the next day. And, of course, if you are pregnant, are nursing a baby, or have a serious medical problem, you should consult your doctor before taking any drugs. Sleep medications may also worsen snoring and sleep apnea, a dangerous condition in which breathing is labored during sleep.

Never take sleeping pills throughout the night. If you do choose to take sleeping pills, make sure you only take your dose before you go to bed. If you take them when you wake in the middle of the night, they won't have a chance to wear off before morning, and you're likely to be sleepy during the day.

Evaluate your other medications. Certain prescription medications, such as those for asthma and thyroid problems, may cause insomnia. Check with your doctor if you suspect that one of your medications is causing your insomnia.

Be your own sleep scientist. There is no one formula for perfect sleep -- different things work for different people. The important thing is to give everything a fair and persistent trial (for at least a week or two, not just one night) and see what works best for you. Keep a sleep log, a notebook of what works and what doesn't.

Answer 2

Staying up late hinders your sleeping patterns. The best thing to do would be to switch your routine so that you study early in the morning, and then go to sleep at a more regulatory hour. Of course, as a fellow night-owl, I know that's not likely to change. The best thing is a healthy diet, and being physically active. Exercise during the day, but not right before bed. Before sleeping, put something heavy in your stomach like warmed milk. Also, turkey contains L-tryptophan, an amino acid that causes you to be sleepy.

Sitting at the computer is causing that knot in your back. Your arms are out in front, and your shoulders rounded. Gets than spot at the base of your neck, between your shoulder blades, doesn't it? You're really supposed to stretch every 1-2 hours when on the computer. Do all those cheesy shoulder rolls, drop your head and then wind it up to the left, drop your head again, and wind it up to the right, tilt it side-to-side. Doing those stretches really will improve your soreness.

Stay away from caffeine, that clogs the receptors in your brain that tell you when you're tired. Having a routine at night reminds your body when it's time to start to shut down. If you're trying to sleep but can't, the worst thing to do is to get up & do stuff. Keep lying there, relaxing. At least your body will get some rest.

Next, empty out your mind. Erase any thoughts that are running through your head. Try to think of nothing (even though that's pretty much impossible). When I can't sleep, I try to think of nothing, I just focus on trying not to think, watch the darkness behind your lids. It must work, because I never remember anything after that! lol.

Answer 3

Wel, first of all an insomniac is a person who can't sleep so... your question is slightly pleonastic. That is an adjoining of two terms with the same meaning "insomniac" and "can't sleep".
It's easy. Especially if you're a young person.
1. Don't stay late.
2. Don't eat late (last meal should be no later than 20). Not even snacks.
3. Don't drink, coffee, tea or cola (cafeine drinks in general) after 18.00.
4. Have a large glass of warm milk with honey in it or a large cup of herbal tea (tilly flowers are best) around 21.00-22.00 just before going to bed.
5. Sleep in a well ventilated room, not warmer than 18-20 degrees Celsius.
6. Sheets are to be comfortable but not excessively warm.
7. Try not to look at action or horror movies before sleeping.
8. Rent a nice little comedy or better yet go straight to bed. Evening news are a total no-no.
9. Try one of those sleeping machines that give a sound of waves, or trees in the wind.
10. If all this fails, go see a doctor. You probably need professional help.

Answer 4

Hi! You have two really good choices today.
1. Get a prescription for Lunesta, Rozerem, or Ambien CR. (The CR means that it not only puts you to sleep, but it helps you stay asleep.) These three new medications are safe and non-habit forming, which is great!
2. You get yourself on a"circadian" schedule. Hopefully your doctor will know all about that, or else a sleep clinic can help you. I think one of the long answers was describing what that means. You go to sleep at the same time every night, and wake up to a loud alarm clock at the same time every morning. You set the clock across the room, so you must get out of bed to turn it off. Then you jump in the shower, or go running, or eat breakfast. Whatever works for you. You NEVER nap during the day. The first week might be a little rough, but then you will sleep. You'd have to figure out how many hours of sleep you need to feel rested. And the "circadian schedule" is usually accompanied with 200 mgs of Elavil, and possibly .5 mgs of Klonopin.
My mother had chronic insomnia from age 9-60. Two hours of sleep was a GOOD night for her. Many nights she got NO sleep. She ached of fatigue. Finally, she found a doctor through a sleep clinic who put her on the circadian method, and now she sleeps straight through every night 8 hours. It's the closest thing to a miracle I've ever seen. Today she's a young 79, who easily passes for 65.
20 years ago those first 3 meds I told you about weren't out yet. They may have worked for her. We don't know, and we don't care!!
So there you have the answer to your question. I wish you the best of luck. Keep in touch. I have your name, so I'll know what it's about. Feel free to E-mail me if you have any questions. I'm wondering how long you've had insomnia. The end of the tunnel is near!! We'll get rid of that constant knot in your back, and you'll be doing beautiful art work!! Call your doctor ASAP. Good luck, Sweetie. You get a star from me! Sincerely, Lynn

Answer 5

You need to see your doctor to discuss these concerns. Everyone has occasional bouts of insomnia, especially after a vacation, or change in daily schedule. If the insomnia is persistent; however, sometimes medical intervention is necessary. The obvious things to avoid are stimulants, like caffeine, before bed. Don't eat at least an hour before bed. Take a warm shower or bath just before lying down. Turn off the tv and computer. Decrease room temp, best to sleep in a cool room, with plenty of blankets. If you must listen to music choose something you find relaxing, or relieving of stress. Best of luck

Answer 6

I would go to walmart and get a bottle of melatonein. It is an all natural pill that you take 20 mins before you lay down. Melatonein is something your brain produces and lets your body know your tierd and you need sleep. You can not become addicted to it and it doesnt effect you in the morning like other sleeping pills.... you get as many as 200 in a bottle for like 6 bucks. It really works.. I use it and i also got my son on a decent sleeping schedual by useing it. Since its all natural you have nothing to worry about. Hope this helps.

Answer 7

I once read that honey, milk, banana, turkey and some other food are relaxing and recomended at night if you can't sleep. I don't know how bad is your case ( you might want to see a doctor. but here's some other tips let's say at 10 pm turn off all lghts, tv. computer music, take warm milk and honey or make this delicious shake; milk + bana + honey.drik it and try to sleep. it might take a while so you body get adjusted to the new habit. I think drinking camomille tea is good but didn't try it

Answer 8

Eat a healthy diet.
Get some exersize every day, even if it's just a walk.
Drink plenty of water.
Avoid caffiene after noon.
Avoid sugar in the evenings.
Take a long, hot bath or shower before bed.

Try herbal teas, get a bedtime version of something from a health food store...or...Celestial Seasonings, which I think is a national brand, has Sleepytime, which is actually really good.

You could also try Kava extract, taken in moderation about 15 mintues before bed.

Answer 9

u r exerting your self and punishing the body to the extreme. body and mind and eyes need rest which u are not providing.distribute your time and ensure that u sleep at least for 6 hours. midnight to morning. regarding your back u have to take great care. u must keep your chair close to your table and your back should be resting on the back of chair in comfortable.and all work must done in relax position. work is never ending but once the back 'ends' what is the good?
i would also recommend that u take a walk in the morning or after meals to tire your self

Answer 10

Advil PM has worked great in the past for me. Tylenol PM has less of the sleep agent in it, so it doesn't work as well.

Take two Advil PM, close your eyes, and clear your head. Before you know it, you'll be waking up to an alarm clock or the sun pouring in through your bedroom window (if you have one, that is).

Answer 11

go to drugstore vitamin section get some Melatonin!!

Melatonin is the hormone you need for sleep.

When I used to work 12 hour days, I took it to go to sleep. It was hard to wind down after work. It works!

***Don't you hate those long *ss posts? I mean damn just copy and past the website not the whole friggin article..