I Can't Sleep!

[BrandyBSN]

Anyone feel the same way? Im REALLY REALLY tired, but yet, as soon as I lay down, I am wide awake again. I have thought about sleep aids, but I hate taking pills if not necessary. I have tried the "long hot shower", warm milk (thats gross), running around until I want to collapse, having a glass of wine, but NOTHING will help my body run down. So now my waking hours are all messed up, and I have a week to correct it (i start back to school on the 27th).

I even tried listening to one of those "Sounds of Nature" CDs to try to relax, but it sounds too much like flushing toilets, and makes me want to go the bathroom as soon as I get settled down and comfortable.

Anyone have any techniques for getting settled at night? My mind always goes at 100 miles an hour, even though my body cant quite keep up. Its becoming a real hassle!

*YAWN*

BrandyBSN

[Stormy]

Some tips that may help....

- follow regular bedtime rituals, i.e., take a warm bath, cup of tea,read, or whatever else, but make it a routine

- sleep in a cooler room - it will improve the quality of your sleep

- don't partake in stimulating activities before you go to bed

- darken your bedroom to near total darkness - light interferes with our sleep patterns

- eliminate as much sound as possible - wear ear plugs, unplug the phone, run a fan to create "white noise" if necessary, sleep in the basement

- avoid caffeice for at least 5 hours prior to bedtime

- don't drink alcohol

- don't go to bed too full or too hungry

- don't exercise for at least 3 hours prior

Hope this helps!

[carlalogan]

I know it sounds new age, but I have a 20 minute yoga tape for the p.m. to get you in the state of mind to fall asleep. I've never taken real classes and don't know if I do it all right, but it really makes you focus your mind only on relaxing. I'm usually able to go right to sleep even if I was wired before I did the tape. Hope that helps some.

[eventsnyc]

Brandy, I used to have the same problems. A change of life style had helped me out.

I now start the day with yoga. It makes me feel good all day. Also I had changed coffee to tea. I eat the largest full meal at lunch time. Dinner is usually foods that are easy-to-digest types: homemade shakes (banana, walnuts, yogourt..etc.), soups, etc.

I find sauna baths at the day's end very helpful too. especially when they are followed by a long shower & a massage. I also like listening to calm classical music before bed time: lie in bed for 10 minutes with feet slightly elevated, this generally makes me sleepy.

Hope all is well,

Best wishes, Christina

[eventsnyc]

Brandy, My yoga teacher had also made me cut the ice cold drinks and food. She said they are stimulants.

Christina

[RNforLongTime]

Brandy,

I know JUST how you feel! There would be times when I was working the 7a to 7p shift and could not fall asleep! I'd be awake till 3am then had to get up at 5:30 am. I am up right now and this is one of the biggest reasons that I am swithching to Night shift next month.

I agree with Kristina! Take some Benadryl. It aint gonna hurt. 50-75 mgs will knock you out quicker than Mohammed Ali!

Good Luck!

Kelly!

[delirium]

Brandy:

I know exactly what you're going through. Ever since my chemotherapy treatment a year or so ago, a whole bunch of stuff is screwy with me (too much to even go into.... I hope it fixed what was wrong because it sure did screw up what was right!). Insomnia was one of the biggies. I was taking Ambien and Ativan (not together of course) for a spell, but they don't recommend that you take them for very long and they weren't really effective anyway.

So now, I take Tylenol PMs. Two before bed. In about 30 minutes I'm drowsy, and I sleep in a cool room with the AC on and a fan to circulate the air. No hangover effect in the morning.... I have taken as many as three... that leaves me groggy. One isn't quite enough to ensure uninterrupted sleep. My problem wasn't really falling asleep, though, it was staying asleep.

I agree. Warm milk is pure, unadulterated nastiness.

Reb

[dicey]

Brandy you said you thoughts were racing. I assume these are things your worried about.

If so keep a note pad by your bed and right down the things you need to do the next day.