insomnia

[applegum]

Yeah I've tried all the counting tricks and all that. Thanks for the tips though. It just takes a while to shut my brain down again once it's been woken up. Since I'm on birth control my hormones are usually pretty stable (since I use it for just that reason) so I'm hoping it's nothing to do with that. I didn't get as good a workout as I usually do rowing last night though, so maybe I should start going to the gym afterwards if I have too much excess energy.

[chickwhorips]

when i was taking classes all the time i was the same as you. no problem sleeping. but when summer came around forgit sleeping.

i figure class just wears out your brain and it just wants to shut down and go sleepy. i don't even remember dreaming much while i was in class.

now that i haven't taken classes for a while, my brain doesn't want to shut down and i have lots of dreams that i can remember. that's been my problem for the last two nights. can't sleep, the brain just wants to keep going, but my body is exausted. laying in bed last night i was tempted to get up and steal my bf's math book and work on some problems to make my brain tired. but i decided to toss and turn instead.

no clue how i'm moving today with no sleep in the last two days. sleep is as important to me as getting a workout in.

[Deanna]

Off the top, I'd suggest taking your phone off the hook or turning off the ringer so you don't get people calling and waking you up when you do get to sleep. In our house, the only phone with the ringer on is the one furthest from the bedroom.

[applegum]

haha I like the math problem idea, maybe I'll try that out. I need to pull up my math SAT score anyway, so two in one! I'm going to start silencing my phone at night, but yesterday I was getting calls for birthday party plans for tonight, so I didn't want to not answer. I wouldn't have a problem with this schedule if it was so hot outside and I could bike later in the morning. I blame the heat wave!

[chickwhorips]

i definatly can't sleep when its warm out. i have to have at least a sheet covering me.

[Geonz]

I can't sleep when it's hot - that's about the only thing that keeps me up. I'll jump into a cold shower and that helps, but then a few hours later...

[latelatebloomer]

For insomnia or emotional upset/general stress, we use an herbal assist called valerian. We get it in healthfood stores - it's a very common and safe. The drug Valium is the synthetic approximation - but valerian is NOT habit forming and is very gentle - doesn't make you dopey, so you can take it during the day if needed, no problem. There are pills and teas available, but I like the tincture (a small vial of liquid w/eyedropper. Mix w/ a little water, and have a chaser like a few sips of juice (tastes like old socks - not supposed to be good, just good for you! )

I find that it quickly soothes and quiets the mind - perfect for the nights that I am just about asleep and then - POP! - my mind jumps to some issue...

Hope this helps. Sleep is crucial....