Anxiety vs Insomnia

[lunacycles]

I have had insomnia on and off for about 10 years. I once went 8 nights without sleeping, which I am told can kill you...although I felt reasonably okay given the lack of rest. This bout also happened to coincide with a long meditation retreat, and I had a roommate who snored very loudly. I finally caught a few zzzz's by sneaking into the retreat center's lounge in the middle of night, and crashing on a couch.

While I think therapy is great, and I have done a lot of it, I think it is just one tool. Yes, there is underlying anxiety most of the time, but therapy cannot always address this, or "fix" it. I don't know if anxiety is/was the issue for me, as I often cannot sleep during periods of my life when I feel quite at ease.

For women in their 40's, insomnia is a common problem, and does not always point to some underlying psychological issue.

I really don't like sleeping meds, the prescription variety, and have found herbal options sometimes sort of help, sometimes make me feel awful, sometimes don't help at all. Lately, if I encounter sleeplessness for more than a couple of nights, I take some Tylenol P.M. I have a lot of arthritis developing in my back and neck, and the pain reliever really helps. In addition, Tylenol P.M., for whatever reason, really works for me. It helps train my body to sleep again. I am not suggesting it is a great cure--it is not--but it can help you to relax and sleep with less pain.

I guess my point is to suggest not freaking out, but be curious about it and treat yourself well. I find the more I think "how am I going to function tomorrow if I don't sleep tonight" that this thinking alone creates the kind of anxiety that continues to keep me awake. There is no shame in taking something to sleep, but I really don't like the idea of having to always take something (like some of my family members) to sleep.

Finally, if you have a partner or a good friend, I suggest getting a foot massage! My partner does this for me, sometimes repeatedly (I know, I am so blessed!), and it creates a full-body relaxation that almost always knocks me out.

Regardless, it is sometimes simple, sometimes not simple, but can be a great learning experience if you can try to see it that way.

[solobiker]

Thanks for all the suugestions. I have tried several of these in the past without luck. There have been times when I have tried taking a bath with lavender, then drinking sleeptime tea then taking 2 OTC Tylelnol PMs.. and still nothing. I kind of think it may be hormonal. I will be 40 in Feb. Who knows..Oh well, I guess it can't get any worse. Thanks again.