Ahhhhh to sleep...

[lph]

It sounds like you are waking up in the light-sleep phase of every sleep cycle. I've never had insomnia that bad, but when I'm stressed, whether it's positive or negative stress, I wake up very easily at the slightest sensory input. I keep my bedroom as dark as I can, but even then, sleeping with a soft sleeping mask and good ear plugs will help keep me "down" through those phases. They can make it slightly harder to fall asleep, but once I'm asleep they help keep me there.

(And of course, limiting coffee and tea. I try to stick to just one cup of coffee in the morning, and max 2 cups of tea, pref green or white, before 3 pm.)

[Catrin]

It sounds like you are waking up in the light-sleep phase of every sleep cycle. I've never had insomnia that bad, but when I'm stressed, whether it's positive or negative stress, I wake up very easily at the slightest sensory input. I keep my bedroom as dark as I can, but even then, sleeping with a soft sleeping mask and good ear plugs will help keep me "down" through those phases. They can make it slightly harder to fall asleep, but once I'm asleep they help keep me there.

(And of course, limiting coffee and tea. I try to stick to just one cup of coffee in the morning, and max 2 cups of tea, pref green or white, before 3 pm.)

That does make sense LPH, I do wake very easily at the best of times. I've cut back to no more than 2 cups of coffee before 11am, and if I have my beloved Dr Tim San (a 3-shot cappuccino with cacao and cream) I have it very early in the day and have no more coffee afterwards. I really do think it is my current stress levels more than anything. Of course now I am stressing about sleeping

With your ear plugs, can you still hear the alarm? My bedroom is DARK, I've black-out curtains and cover my alarm so there isn't any visible light from it. My upstairs neighbor is quiet, who knows what I am hearing that is just enough to wake me? If I can't get some relief soon I will discuss an Ambien prescription with my doctor, I've been told that it is designed to help us stay asleep. I am just concerned that a prescription solution might make me groggy in the morning and I've got to be hitting on all cylinders when I wake.

[Catrin]

I am going home Sunday to spend a couple of days. I need to see her before she gets sicker, then I will have an entire 2 weeks to pack my entire apt!

[Crankin]

Enjoy your time with your mom.

[emily_in_nc]

I hope things go well on your visit, Catrin, and that you can provide some comfort to your mom.

[Catrin]

Thanks everyone! I got little sleep last night, 10 hours in the office today, and I AM going to have some milk with 100% cacao (no sugar) before bed. I keep forgetting to pick up that homeopathic...so we will see.

[emily_in_nc]

Thanks everyone! I got little sleep last night, 10 hours in the office today, and I AM going to have some milk with 100% cacao (no sugar) before bed. I keep forgetting to pick up that homeopathic...so we will see.

Cacao has caffeine, doesn't it? Chocolate does anyway...not sure how much in the amount you would have had, but I wouldn't drink it before bedtime.

Hope you slept!

[Catrin]

Also theobromine, which is another stimulant ...

Anyway, hope you got some sleep. Try to take care of yourself when you go to visit your mom ... hope it goes well.

I actually slept better than I had in a very long time. Also slept well last night on the couch at my sister's house. Go figure, it isn't an easy visit at all but am sleeping fine so far!

[emily_in_nc]

Great news, Catrin!

[shootingstar]

Maybe it's being with your sister, Catrin.

Seriously.

[sookiesue]

Rescue Remedy (a Bach Flower Essence available at health food type stores and even on Amazon) works very well for me when my insomnia is stress-related, with zero hangover the next day. You can also use it during the day for acute times of stress. The drops do have some alcohol in them, though. The pastilles might be alcohol-free.

I've also had success with Valerian capsules (no way can I imagine drinking that stinky stuff in a tea!) and no hangover from those, either.

Good luck with everything, take good care of yourself.

S

[Catrin]

I am sleeping much better, only waking 1 or 2 times in the night. I will see what it is like when I return home and back to work. I also am moving in less than 2 weeks...will likely pick up one of the suggested homeopathics and keep it around for a time.

[Catrin]

I really appreciated the helpful comments here. My sleeping problem, after lasting for months, just seems to have left when my mom passed It is a little harder to get to sleep but now only my bladder wakes me. The stress of moving in 5 days hardly registers after all that but I am still numb I think.