i don't know how many days it's been (lost track after a week :lol:) since i really got a good night sleep. anyone know how i can get a good night sleep? somewhere along the lines of 7-8 hrs that doesn't mean 4 hrs of sleep and ??? of cat naps?

Try taking a warm bath about an hour before the time you plan to hit the hay (give or take 30 minutes).

One of the body's hints that "okay, it's time to go to sleep now" is a drop in body temperature. A warm bath will raise body temperature, and as it comes down when you get out of the tub, you will trigger that hint.

I wish that I had the answer for you. I can'r remember the last time I had a decent nights sleep. I can be as tired as it gets, but when it comes time to go to bed, my brain suddenly enter's warp speed and I'm wide awake. It's not uncommon for me to get by on 2-3 hours of sleep a day.

I've heard dairy products help people fall asleep. I don't think eating a block of cheese would be a good idea. A big glass of milk an hour before I want to crash helps me.

I've also taken an herbal supplement called Kava Kava. It works but I feel wierd relying on it.

I rely on Hot Chocolate to send me drifting off. But I can drift off just about anytime

I feel for you! I had the same problem for years. It got so bad that I almost fell asleep while waiting for the light to change. I could barely think straight I as so tired all the time. I finally went to my doctor who ordered a sleep study. My problem was that I'd fall asleep ok but in about an hour and a half I'd be wide awake for almost the rest of the night. It turnus out I have sleep apnea. Now I was supposed to do a second study to see if I should use this machine at night to keep my airways open. I haven't done that yet because you have to go to the sleep center for that the first one they did at home). In the meantime he prescribed Serzone and it was a miracle! I started sleeping through the night most of the nights. I have now switched to Wellbutrin and I am still sleeping most of the night, every nght. I do have a few nights here and there where it is like before, but most are much better. My advice is to talk to your doctor and see what he has to say. Meanwhile, the warm bath and warm milk is also helpful. Oh, I also heard that glass of wine (if possible) is also a good idea. Good luck!

thanks everyone for the advice. hopefully it will work tonight

Sleep is grossly over-rated, you know that.

Maybe if we stopped our marathon sessions until 2 am you'll get some sleep. But really, why sleep. You write a lot during the late hours and its mostly your best work, like I do. Sleeping is a waste of time

When you lie there, awake at night, get up, walk around for a few minutes. Don't lie there, trying to sleep. Also, get exercize during the day. Sometimes, your body is not worn down, but your mind is. Also, DON'T eat or exercize for at least an hour before sleeping. The bath is a good idea too.

When I had some trouble with sleep I took something called calms forte, it is natural and can be found at any drug store. Sometimes I would also use sleepy time tea with a good book, that always relaxed me for sleep. Another remedy was sitting in a hot tub, that always put me to sleep. And then there is the always faithfull....exercise...... Good luck Mika......

I can never sleep if I just lay there in a dark quiet room. I turn on the TV or something. Usually if I turn on the home shopping network I go to sleep with in about 10 mins. I have to have a tv or radio on to get to sleep though. I hope you find something that works for you. :)

Sometimes before I go to bed, I pour a glass of wine, turn on some soft music, and lay in the warm bath with aromatics. Try to forget the stress of the day and concentrate on the goodness that the day brought.

If I still can't get to sleep, I wake up my husband! LOL!

If your stressed out, go see a massage therapist. It helped relieve my stress so I was able to sleep again.

To paraphrase Pat Benatar, Start Using Sex As A Weapon. :lol: Hey, it works like Thanksgiving turkey for guys, make sure it works for you, too. ;) :lol:

Seriously, I find an exercise I learned in Lamaz (sp?) class helpful, sometimes. You imagine yourself at the top of the stairs. You start going down them, and the farther you go, the darker it gets. There's nothing to fear, and the stairs never end. If it helps, count them.

Another one is: Imagine your body falling asleep, one part at a time. First the toes, then the rest of the foot, then the ankles, then calves, etc. You should be "feeling" these things fall asleep, so spend at least 1/2 a minute or more on each part.

I wish I could say they always work, but I have anxiety trouble. :lol:

Originally posted by ValJ
Another one is: Imagine your body falling asleep, one part at a time. First the toes, then the rest of the foot, then the ankles, then calves, etc. You should be "feeling" these things fall asleep, so spend at least 1/2 a minute or more on each part.

I wish I could say they always work, but I have anxiety trouble. :lol:

This one works for me too Val! Total relaxation. I just relax every muscle in my body. When I really focus on it I'm amazed at how tense my muscles are when I'm trying to go to sleep. Focusing on relaxing everything can help so much!

I can't do that at all!!! I've tried. Had so many probs with my back that my muscles are always tense to a point. Takes a lot to completely relax them. Taking ambien twice a week now to help with my probs.

What's Ambien? Is it one of those natural things? I remember having tried something like that once that was supposed to help promote a healthy sleep cycle, but it didn't work.

Ambien is a prescription sleep aid. Works wonders. lol Only supposed to use it a couple times a week as it cen be addictive.

Sounds good. To bad it's prescription. I could use a good nights sleep.

the whole sleep thing may be overrated according to ty and in a way she's right but my boss has told me repeatedly that if i don't get enough sleep i get cranky and voilent which is not something they want in the work place. btw still getting no sleep

Wish I knew of something for you to try Mika. The only over-the-counter meds that ever worked for me was Unisom. Helped some. At least relaxed me.

This sounds corny, but I have a guided relaxation CD that really helps me get to sleep when I am anxious or stressed. I have trouble "snapping out of it' when I try to do the self-guided relaxation, like "Relax your foot.... relax all your toes... etc." I'm like "This is lame!!" and I wake up. The tape does help.

This is the CD I have - This is Your Present (http://www.relaxintuit.com/tape.asp) - it's not too freaky - I'm sure you can find one like it in the audiobook section of any big bookstore.

It doesn't always work, but 3/4 of the time it does, and that's better than over the counter stuff for me. Good luck Mika, hope you get some rest soon.

I would recommend excerise. Try running, or any type of cardiovascular excerise during the day.

I exercise every day and that doesn't help (the sleep anyway, it works wonders for me overall, though).

Lay in the arms of someone you love beneath the stars-Think of all the positive life has to offer the two of you-and know that although he made a mistake hes with you now(not her).... well thats what is working for me right now-but advice to you,,,, sometimes you just have to find that happy space where your mind can be void--good luck :)

I would try drinking heavily. makes the night go by faster and helps me fall asleep every time! LOL!

Turkey has triptophane in it. Bake a turkey and cut it up into small servings, store it in freezer bags in your freezer. For your late night snack instead of hitting the ice cream or chips, eat some warmed up turkey (nuking is fine) . It should raise your triptophane levels and make you drowsy enough to fall asleep.

JOHN TESH!

HAHAHAHAHAAHAHA

Calcium tablets and chamomile tea have helped me. Other natural remedies not previously mentioned include passion flower, hops, & valerian root.

Sleeping.. What is that..I haven't been able to sleep for years.without the aid of sleeping pills.

When this happened at first.. I was up for 4 days straight until the doctor put me on sleeping pills. Now they are causing havoc in my life. I am trying to ween myself off them but it seems impossible.

Exercise.. I can run 3 miles and still nothing.. Forget about warm milk or relaxing techniques.. Those are for people with a mild situation.. not a long term problem..

Is there anybody who can relate or has any ideas. I thought maybe diet and sleep has something to do with each other.. Any suggestions on how to overcome this problem

Help

Sleepless

Sleeping.. What is that..I haven't been able to sleep for years.without the aid of sleeping pills.

When this happened at first.. I was up for 4 days straight until the doctor put me on sleeping pills. Now they are causing havoc in my life. I am trying to ween myself off them but it seems impossible.

Exercise.. I can run 3 miles and still nothing.. Forget about warm milk or relaxing techniques.. Those are for people with a mild situation.. not a long term problem..

Is there anybody who can relate or has any ideas. I thought maybe diet and sleep has something to do with each other.. Any suggestions on how to overcome this problem

Help

Sleepless

A good friend of mine is addicted to sleeping pills. It's basically ruined her love life & she can't hold a job. Plus, she's turned into a real bitch & frankly, I don't even like talking to her anymore. She's been hooked since 2001 and won't admit it.

Go get help getting off the sleeping pills THEN work on finding out ways to help you sleep. I would recommend a sleep center that you go to at night for a few days and they monitor your brain activity while you try to go to sleep. They may be able to help you.

Good luck :)