Insomnia, what helps you?

United States
November 22, 2006 2:41am CST
What helps you when you can't sleep?
4 people like this
30 responses
@missyd79 (3438)
• United States
22 Nov 06
nothing, I just usually, surf the net, make some money where I can, or clean my house
2 people like this
• United States
22 Nov 06
I feel ya there! Do you have a day job?
1 person likes this
@missyd79 (3438)
• United States
22 Nov 06
yeah i work from home, for an insurance company, so if i can't sleep and i have to work the next day, it's lots of coffee for me
2 people like this
• United States
25 Nov 06
That is awesome, it makes it so much easier working from home, don't ya think?
1 person likes this
@monawahid (145)
• United Arab Emirates
22 Nov 06
Insomnia Treatment Self-Care at Home You can do several things to prepare yourself for sleep. Exercise regularly. Aerobic exercise and general fitness are important to maintaining good health. You should exercise in the early part of the day and avoid strenuous activity before bedtime. Avoid large meals and excessive fluids before bedtime. Control your environment. Light, noise, and elevated room temperature can disrupt sleep. Shift workers and night workers especially must address these factors. Your body's circadian rhythm (biological clock) is particularly sensitive to light. Parents who need to sleep during the day may have to make child care arrangements to allow them to sleep. Medical Treatment Insomnia is a symptom not a diagnosis. As such, your treatment will be personal and will be focused on your underlying condition. Your treatment may include one or more of the following therapies: Improving sleep habits Correcting sleep misconceptions Controlling your sleep environment Behavior management Light therapy
• United States
3 Dec 06
--- TiffanieC, You may, in that case need some real sleep aids. I started out years ago taking one quarter of a tylenol pm. Now, maybe 16 years later, I'm up to 2 tylenol pm's, but that's the dosage, and I don't think anyone needs that much, for quitte some time. I'm gonna quit them for the christmas break, when I have a less demanding schedule, and get myself back down to one tylenol pm. Everyone in my house during the week, gets up at all different hours during the night, to go off to work, and in our small house it wakes me up if I haven't taken anything, and can't get back to sleep. I have a tendency toward some insomnia without the household's strange schedules, anyway. I've come to the conclusion, through experience that it's better to take something and get some sleep, than to not sleep. I usually don't take anything on the weekend, except some sugar maybe (something sweet) I don't know if a subscription, or a sleep aid alone is better, or not. The gelcaps or tabs are easier on the digestion. Hope you find a solution - and Good luck...
• United States
22 Nov 06
Great response! I think those things may only work for those with mild insomnia though. I have had insomnia my whole life and I have tried just about everything.
1 person likes this
@krizz420 (4385)
• Canada
22 Nov 06
nothing
2 people like this
• United States
22 Nov 06
I can understand that, that sucks! Have you tried different things?
1 person likes this
@rohit89 (1967)
• India
22 Nov 06
good soft music...
2 people like this
• United States
22 Nov 06
That is great, I'm glad it works for you!
1 person likes this
@FlaKNMB (831)
• United States
22 Nov 06
When I can't sleep, I usually watch TV in bed until I fall asleep. Sometimes I'm asleep in 20 minutes, other times it takes a couple of hours. It's about the only thing that works for me, though.
• United States
22 Nov 06
Yeah, I can't sleep without the TV on.
1 person likes this
@desiret (2117)
• Italy
22 Nov 06
i watch tv, some boring transmission...
2 people like this
• United States
22 Nov 06
Yeah, something like the History channel :)
1 person likes this
@istanto (8548)
• Indonesia
22 Nov 06
I will playing the game or surfing internet till im tired.
2 people like this
• United States
22 Nov 06
How long does it usually take you to get back to sleep? Lately I wake up around 1am and can't get back to sleep until around 5am which screws up my day and my work schedule.
1 person likes this
@Crilli (2890)
• Italy
25 Nov 06
medicin - medicin
not very often but sometimes i have this kind of problem and i take a medicin to relaxe
• United States
25 Nov 06
What medicine helps you?
@riyasam (16556)
• India
22 Nov 06
havin s** i am not jokin
1 person likes this
• United States
22 Nov 06
hahah good answer :)
1 person likes this
@dhaeo_09 (1007)
• Philippines
22 Nov 06
I drink alot of warm milk.
• United States
22 Nov 06
Ewwwwww, really? I do hear that works but I can't stand milk, and when it's warm it tastes even worse.
• Brazil
25 Nov 06
Hmm, I saty awake watching something until I cant openmy eyes anymore
1 person likes this
• United States
25 Nov 06
Even if it means you are up for days?
@kage2k3 (1443)
• India
25 Nov 06
My computer :) Whenever i can't sleep i just turn on my computer and surf a few sites or watch a little movie. My whole day is spent on computer and now my nights too :)
1 person likes this
• United States
25 Nov 06
Your poor eyes!
@mari8888 (69)
• Philippines
25 Nov 06
I surf the net or read books.
1 person likes this
• United States
25 Nov 06
Me too usually, reading sometimes helps me fall back asleep.
• Singapore
25 Nov 06
i have this problem too.
1 person likes this
• United States
25 Nov 06
What have you tried?
@wlctrent (58)
• United States
2 Dec 06
I've used herbs like Valerian or Passion Flower. Those seem to work great as an alternative to sleep aids. I've also tried meditation and muscle relaxation techniques (deep breathing) these kinds of thingss.
1 person likes this
@flowerchilde (12529)
• United States
3 Dec 06
- Sometimes something really sweet helps me to sleep! Sometimes I keep a snack size reese's handy for the middle of the night, if I can't fall back to sleep.
• United States
3 Dec 06
P.S. don't think about anything.. if I go to bed thinking about something.. or numbers.. or anything.. forget it! I'm awake!
@LovingIt (5396)
• United States
2 Dec 06
I take a medication called Lunesta, which has been prescribed by my doctor. It's the only thing that works for me. Even when I can sleep, I do not rest well without help.
@Sir_bobby88 (8231)
• Singapore
3 Dec 06
I think making myself tired like doing excerise help me to sleep yea
1 person likes this
• United States
25 Nov 06
If I cannot sleep, I will warm up some milk. That does the trick within 15 minutes of drinking it.
• United States
25 Nov 06
Ick, I hate milk.
• Singapore
25 Nov 06
actually, i can't sleep when I'm hungry too...so, maybe this might help
• United States
25 Nov 06
Ick, I hate milk.
• Indonesia
3 Dec 06
i never have trouble sleeping but maybe you can try these tips: * Wind down prior to bedtime * Do not smoke (nicotine is a stimulant) or consume caffeine * Try warm milk or a light snack before bed (if this doesn’t interfere with another treatment you are using) * Exercise daily, but not right before bedtime * Take a warm bath, but not right before bedtime * Keep a regular bedtime and rising time * Get in the habit of going to bed when you are sleepy and sleeping where you sleep best * Reserve your bed for sleeping only * Don’t have any clocks visible to you * Reduce the amount of time you allow yourself to sleep until you fall asleep easily (your health care provider can help with this form of “sleep restriction therapy” * Schedule worry time during the day and put worries out of your head when it is time to sleep; you can write them down on 3×5 cards, and then let go of them * Get up if you have not fallen asleep in 15 minutes and practice a relaxing activity (e.g. handwork, reading a boring book) until you feel sleepy