So I have a history of having difficulty sleeping. I thought it was normal to always be tired from lack of sleep, and take an hour to fall asleep. Once I got to around the age of 10 it started happening, before then I guess I had a normal sleep schedule. However, over the last 2 weeks, it's been getting worse. Falling asleep later, waking up earlier, waking up more frequently. In fact, the last 2 days, I've only slept a total of MAYBE 5 hours. I go to bed around 12 - 2 AM and I usually just lie there for 7 or so hours. I don't get up until 10 or 10:30, because my school schedule is a little odd. Right now, my eyes are bloodshot from lack of sleep, and every day I get more tired, but continue to sleep less. I've talked to my parents about getting sleep meds, but they don't trust me not to abuse them, and I can't blame them. How can I get to sleep faster?! I have no idea what keeps me awake. I don't feel anxious or worried, excpet about falling asleep maybe. I clear my head completely, I meditate alot, so it's almost effortless. I just lie there, until the sun comes up and then some. A lot of the time I'll wake up every hour or half hour, and I sleep very light. I woke up this morning when someone got in their car outside. Anyone have any advice, similar experiences, or the like?
Have you tried OTC sleep aids? Or if you prefer natural ones, Valerian root. If you try these and they don't work for you, you should consider talking to your doctor about the problem. Lack of sleep can affect many aspects of your life, but it doesn't have to be this way.
Some advice, I wouldn't recommend any sedating medication...very few aren't habbit forming, well the anti psychotics are pretty hard to enjoy and a lot of those can be used to aid sleep but theres serious side effects. You have long term sleep issues, probably have a worn down immune system and your state of mind can't be great. Don't goto bed unless you are tired, If i goto bed when im still thinking ill just sit there and try to keep my eyes open...its frustrating and that makes shit worse. Sleep is a relaxing time, so you need to work towards that as the night gets closer to good night. It sounds like you might be falling asleep from exhaustion, that is how i have experienced poor sleep in the past. Some things to practice, don't take on involved activities (computer games, indepth conversation...anything that gets your mind going should be saved for earlier in the day) get some exercise in early morning keep an eye on your energy intake, stay away from refined carbohydrates/sugars in the evening...in general really. Milk/cheese is great at night as it has tryptophan which is used in the sleep cycle and other protein for your body to full up on while not giving you as much a sugar boost. take time to reflect upon your day, i find it helpful to consider what has happened to create a sense of closure some things help, others don't its about finding what your body and mind need to get the rest it deserves
You need more stimulation during the day when you are awake, mentally and physically. You have to be tired to go to sleep. The whole point of sleeping is to give your body a chance to recover, and to give your mind a chance to digest what it's perceived during the day. Wear your body out a little bit, and give your mind some food for thought.
Spirit, I am going to echo the question of the second poster. Have you tried any sleep aids? Valerian Root, or Melatonin are two you may want to try.
One word - melatonin. Cheap, over the counter, perfectly safe and one of the most effective things you can buy.
You may have somniphobia. Its real, I've had it since I was around 8. Its at its absolute worst now, because I quit drinking. And it is real fear too, I get panicked and anxious at the thought of being asleep or trying to sleep. Contrary to what I've read, getting on a routine schedule makes it worse. I have the most success if I can work and try to sleep on my terms. I don't recommend sleeping pills. They don't cause sleep, just make you drugged out and slow. Its worse, in my opinion. I've found that working out really hard in the evening can help a bit. Sex helps a bit more, if you can try to sleep really quickly after the testosterone drop. None of that prevents the re-awakes, though. The best is a decent amount of alcohol, you will sleep and sleep right through. Those statements about it being "bad sleep" are BS. If you can deal with hangovers and all the rest, its the way to go on this. Kind of sad, but true. Also, just try to deal with it. Many productive hours in there. If you can channel the energy, its amazing what you can get done while the rest of the world is dark.
almost what everyone has said is pure conjecture. there is only one course of action to take. it is the only course that will settle it. talk to your primary care physican about going to a sleep clinic. this is the only way to get facts, and not abunch of conjecture as you have gotten here. after you have the facts, then a course of action can be taken to help you. THERE IS NO OTHER WAY!
ugh, i'm having the same prob myself right now - takes me forever to fall asleep and any little thing can wake me up, which is why i'm hanging out here at this very moment! i do find that it occurs more often as the seasons change though
