Sleepless in the Southeast

[fille]

Okay, so say you are used to sleeping like a baby. All of a sudden, you develop a problem. Still fall asleep like always, but now you wake up at 3 a.m. like clockwork and can't go back to sleep. Mind runs over every problem, real or imagined, incessantly until it is time to get up.

I have tried staying in bed and waiting it out. I have tried watching tv. I have tried getting up and surfing Lit. Yes, I have tried sexual fantasy (you know who you are). Tonight, I am trying excessive alcohol consumption.

What else you got?

 

[ldbckguyinfl]

I suffer from this. Except I can't get to sleep before 4:00am most nights no matter how hard I try. Masturbation, working out, internet surfing....nothing seems to work no matter how tired I am.

 

[fille]

I suffer from this. Except I can't get to sleep before 4:00am most nights no matter how hard I try. Masturbation, working out, internet surfing....nothing seems to work no matter how tired I am.

eeesh. I think I like my problem better than yours.

 

[ldbckguyinfl]

eeesh. I think I like my problem better than yours.

Yeah at least you get some sleep. Mine sucks. I usually dick around on the computer till about 1:00am then go to bed watch tv till about 3:00am. Toss and turn until 3:30am and then turn the TV back on and either fall asleep with it on or turn it off again around 4. It really does suck. LOL

 

[fille]

Yeah at least you get some sleep. Mine sucks. I usually dick around on the computer till about 1:00am then go to bed watch tv till about 3:00am. Toss and turn until 3:30am and then turn the TV back on and either fall asleep with it on or turn it off again around 4. It really does suck. LOL

I am done complaining now. Plus I am a little bit drunk.

 

[ldbckguyinfl]

I am done complaining now. Plus I am a little bit drunk.

Does it count as complaining if we are doing it together? LOL. No worries. Sometimes I wish i drank!

 

[fille]

Does it count as complaining if we are doing it together? LOL. No worries. Sometimes I wish i drank!

It's not too late to give it a try!

 

[ldbckguyinfl]

It's not too late to give it a try!

Ha ha ha. 32 years and haven't yet. I was even the AGM of a microbrewery for a year. So its not like I didn't have my chances.

 

[Cathleen]

Sleep problems are far more common now with all the crap going on. There might also be other issues going on too. I hesitantly ask your age or there-a-bouts? I was an excellent sleeper until peri-menopause began and I'm sorry to say I haven't seen much improvement. So that is one area that might be a contributing cause.

You obviously have a lot on your mind and whether you are waking up unconsciously or consciously because of them you'll do best to find ways to put them aside for a period of time. I remember when my mother died and my grieving made it difficult to work the 9-5 schedule. After talking with some people their advice was to have a schedule - I was to work 9-5 and then from 5-9 (the next day) I could grieve my heart out. I could keep it together for work then I'd go home and cry or yell or whatever, then at 9am the next day I worked. Sounds odd but it worked very well and I still use the concept.

I did the 'stay in the bed' thing too but most often I'd get up, like you I'd look at Lit, TV, think about problems, and on and on. Stop that! It's awful I know. It was difficult but I didn't turn on the TV, or the computer, or any lights. I would get comfortable and use my 'nightmare solution' my dad taught me as a young girl it's basically a kind of opposite action tool - for me it was always skiing, I put myself at the top of a mountain I skied and followed trails in my mind, very often sleep beat me down.

Also, I've heard it said that doing static exercise an hour or two before bed can help settle the mind and body. Static exercise is more like stretching, 'moving a couch that doesn't move' idea -- movements that don't generally involve joints, the focus is on muscles mostly.

Reading this post should put you to sleep fast.

But one of my favorites is a few+ orgasms!

 

[VoyageToBeyond]

I used to have this exact same problem. Could fall asleep easily, but would be wide awake a few hours later. TV and computer are the worst things to do - they numb you but don't make you tired. I tried taking melatonin, but it didn't work for me - whacked me out during the day.

One has to learn to shut the brain down - let go of those thoughts racing through the mind. I started keeping a pen and paper next to the bed, would just write things out for an hour or so and eventually get tired again.

Other options include focusing the mind - meditation; or, better yet, sex/orgasm/masturbation! doesn't always work - but no harm done!

 

[fille]

Well, the alcohol worked, but sadly, I can't get into the habit of doing that every night. So, I will have to try some other things. At least I got one decent night's sleep!

Thanks for all the suggestions.

 

[Shagly]

Drinking with sleeping pills can do wonders.