Insomnia Struggles

[Deleted User]synclairxox (deleted user)
in General

Here’s the thing …

I usually am a very light sleeper, small noises outside may wake me up. It’s not often that I have a full night sleep which is normal because I’m a major night owl.
I always seem to find myself in a “sleep, but still kinda sorta awake” space. Recently, it’s gotten worse because I started playing Red Dead Redemption in the wee hours of the night.

Oops.

I want to be able to have at least 6 hours of sleep, but right now I’m only managing 4. I know I’ve got to start by kicking the video game habit but does anyone know any useful tips to getting a full nights rest?

Comments

  • AmortentiaAmortentia

    I sleep between 12am-1am but that is only because I don't need to wake up for work until 9am. That schedule will be changing soon and I will need to be up like 5:30am or 6am. So....the only thing that works for me is that I won't be able to do nothing with my sleep habit until I do need to wake up early. Then I will be tired more and sleeping like you are. Then during that time by like 9pm or 10pm I won't touch anything that I normally like to do like watching movies late. The tiredness and forbidding myself to stay up with movies will help me start sleeping earlier. That is my recommendation.

  • pmvinespmvines

    Melatonin and valerian root are both pretty useful for sleep

  • CuddleDuncanCuddleDuncan Mod
    edited August 2021

    I'm halfway through my first playthrough of Red Dead Redemption ... I would suggest riding out to a good spot - I found the very northeast corner of Hennigan's Stead, overlooking the waterfall, to be good - saving till it's night and then just .... being there, looking at the stars.

    It's very relaxing ..... right up until you get killed by a cougar. Not that that's ever happened to me you understand, no sireee. Never happened, not even once. Nope.

    My top tip is to start your going to bed sequence earlier. Much earlier. I mean start thinking about it at 4pm and behave accordingly.

    Also, do you really want more sleep? I mean, really? Ok .... why?

  • [Deleted User]Moxytocin (deleted user)

    Things that have helped me - sometimes I use earplugs and sometimes I use earbuds and play sleep hypnosis, nature sounds/ocean, ASMR, or a boring podcast/Tedtalk on YouTube at low volume.

    Other things that would likely help is stop playing the video game early, but if you want to look at a screen before bed, change the brightness and turn on blue light blocker, in the settings (or you may need an app) or get blue light blocker glasses.

  • Cuddle_RNCuddle_RN

    If you have a history of trauma, deal with that. My starter husband had complex PTSD, I never knew that's why he couldn't sleep until our lives fell apart.

  • OhioMikeOhioMike

    @Cuddle_RN ”starter husband” had to google that 😊

  • Mare_BearMare_Bear

    If I am low on magnesium I use a topical magnesium spray and it knocks me tf out

  • pmvinespmvines

    I also usually go on YouTube and find night time stuff to listen to, typically lasts until I wake up. I have a constant ringing in my ears so silence is not my friend

  • BabichevBabichev

    If you google “sleep hygiene” you’ll see lots of suggestions.

    Definitely being online, playing video games, that kind of thing, before bed can make it harder to sleep.

    Some things that can help:
    Getting exercise earlyintheday.* If you do it too late in the day, it can be stimulating.
    Avoiding caffeine, especially later in the day. This can include coffee, cola, other sodas like Mountain Dew that contain caffeine, energy drinks, black tea (including iced tea), chocolate.
    Use your bed for sleeping and sex. Don’t watch TV, play video games, or work in your bed.
    Use light blocking curtains if light from outdoors is intruding into your room.
    Keep your room cool.
    Some people like weighted blankets.

    Here’s one good article on fighting insomnia:

    https://www.painscience.com/articles/insomnia.php

    I’ve struggled with insomnia for most of my life. It’s not just a hassle, it can undermine your health.

  • TheNewNovelistTheNewNovelist

    I have similar issues. There are several guided sleep videos online. I’m always in slumberland within 20 min.

  • Cuddle_RNCuddle_RN

    @OhioMike, I got that from a lady in my divorce support group. I can either laugh or cry over this mess - most days I choose to laugh 😁

  • UKGuyUKGuy

    Chamomile tea.

  • bytra2121bytra2121

    I highly recommend a white noise app on your phone. It helps drown out noises outside and helps mute ringing in my ears. I don't know what I would do without it!

  • OhioMikeOhioMike

    @Cuddle_RN ok gotcha. Yeah I read definitions because I’ve only been married once and divorced once and so cool 😎 I’m a starter husband. But alas I’m not a starter husband…I was married for 30 plus years and divorced when kids were adults or as we like to say in Ohio “they were emancipated.

  • [Deleted User]KYtransplant (deleted user)

    White noise or nature noise. There are several good free apps that will let you select the sound level and intensity.

    And a weighted blanket helps sometimes. I'm a shift worker and always try to go to bed before the sun rises. Otherwise that can really screw up the whole body clock system.

    Different people have preferences about letting their pets sleep on the bed, but I find it works well for me. I sleep alone unless you count a pile of little poodles.

  • waynewvwaynewv

    I have a sound machine that I like, rain sound. Also found some neat stuff on U Tube. Rain sounds that run 12+ Hours. Also wave and creek and fireplace sounds

  • [Deleted User]SoftPetals (deleted user)

    What helps me sleep sometimes are nice hot showers, sleeping in your birthday suit with warm blankets, meditation, counting down from any number to 0 (even if you have to do it multiple times), or cannabis gummies/flower.

  • TheFunCartelTheFunCartel

    I sleep with tsetse flies. They ensure I sleep.

  • Cuddlestogo64Cuddlestogo64

    A nice warm bath usually helps me to sleep.

  • CuddleDuncanCuddleDuncan Mod
    edited August 2021

    I understand that sleeping with the fishes guarantees a long rest.

  • krissyjaekrissyjae

    I've had success with sleepytime tea, having a healthy community to exchange love and positive energy with, and weight lifting. Also, glycine is found in meats and collagen powder and is a precursor to sleep neurotransmitters. B6 is a major precursor to melatonin, found in whole grains and nutritional yeast. Definitely exercising, massage therapy, grounding on the earth has been known to soak up/reduce cortisol levels so your body can relax and fall asleep naturally. Stimulating things should not be done 4-5 hours before bed. (lol I know )

  • Lev136Lev136

    To me I have to be rested and calm befoe going to sleep. A good cup of tea helps. I also sleep very well afer a good cuddle session. Seems to help me.

  • afmacedafmaced
    edited August 2021

    youtube -> ASMR

    or watch something like this...

  • quixotic_lifequixotic_life

    It may seem counter intuitive but, more often than not, true crime podcasts tend to lull me to sleep.

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