Sleep (Advice Needed!)

[Welton Toffee]

I would love to get 6-7 hours sleep a night

Proper student me, 4 hours last night and still up fresh as a daisy for a lecture at 10. When I say fresh as a daisy I am obviously lying. My body clock is broken.

 

[Reidy's Bottle Of Grecian]

It’s something that most of us take for granted but for me it’s become a big problem recently. I guess you don’t realise how important sleep is until you go through a long bout of poor sleep. I’ve been struggling with this problem for a few months now since I had a bad bout of anxiety before Christmas. For a while in December I only slept for about 2-3 hours each night and it was terrible. It’s got better since then but I still only get about 6 or 7 hours a night. That doesn’t sound that bad I know but its 6 or 7 hours of broken sleep and I wake in the morning feeling like I haven’t slept. I then feel like it’s going to be a real struggle to get through the day. Getting to sleep at night isn’t easy either, probably because I’m worrying about it I guess.

Some of the effects I get from poor sleep are headaches, eye pain, eyes sensitive to light, blurred vision, feeling lightheaded and raised anxiety levels. Just the feeling of being really tired all the time is quite horrible. I feel like I can’t concentrate at work, little things are worrying me which normally don’t, and I feel a bit like a zombie who is in a constant dreamlike daze throughout the day.

If anyone has any advice for me I would really appreciate it!

Are you a new mother by any chance Adam ?

best way to tell if you have inadvertently become one is

1. are your breasts larger than usually and can you stack c.d.'s on your
nips.

2. you find that your flange valve has worked loose and you keep on
'making little misjudgements' ranging from a 5ml spoonfull to a
broken drainpipe scenario.

3. your favourite underwear wont quite stretch over your backside
any more, which is why the seams are burst a little and frayed

4. you can quite freely talk to people about 'down below dilemmas' and
not really care who can hear.

5. you are considering trying abstaining or 'the tradesmans' to avoid
it happening again

6. you think all members of the opposite sex are bastards, as are those
that are back to a size 8 before the yellow poo's have stopped.


or maybe you are a twin and having one of those weird things you hear about.

 

[monty]

Are you a new mother by any chance Adam ?

best way to tell if you have inadvertently become one is

1. are your breasts larger than usually and can you stack c.d.'s on your
nips.

2. you find that your flange valve has worked loose and you keep on
'making little misjudgements' ranging from a 5ml spoonfull to a
broken drainpipe scenario.

3. your favourite underwear wont quite stretch over your backside
any more, which is why the seams are burst a little and frayed

4. you can quite freely talk to people about 'down below dilemmas' and
not really care who can hear.

5. you are considering trying abstaining or 'the tradesmans' to avoid
it happening again

6. you think all members of the opposite sex are bastards, as are those
that are back to a size 8 before the yellow poo's have stopped.


or maybe you are a twin and having one of those weird things you hear about.

Ahem, tittish behaviour nice one Reids

 

[AdamTheGreatOneB]

I know this sounds a really stupid question but do you sleep in a tidy room? Clean bed sheets? Do any exercise?

Fairly tidy yeah, but I don't have an obsessively tidy room. I don't exercise as much as I used to though. I used to do a fair bit but it's limited to walks at the moment and has been for about a year if I'm honest.

Just reading what you have written it seems like stress is what is keeping you awake. A good stress buster is having a cuddle with your wife or girlfriend (if you get what i mean) and if you have no time for exercise in the day it is well known that getting busy with the missus is also a great workout ^^

Don't drink tea or coffee if that is your habit before sleeping. Perhaps a soothing hot lemon drink would help the body relax. If you have time try taking a bath with some bath salts to ease tension and also a massage off the missus especially around the shoulder area will do wonders.

I've struggled with anxiety and stress at various points in my life which is why I'm sure this is what it is as well. I do find it hard to relax in general to be honest. I don't drink tea or coffee in the evenings and I only have 2 or sometimes 3 cups of tea a day.

I would love to get 6-7 hours sleep a night

Proper student me, 4 hours last night and still up fresh as a daisy for a lecture at 10. When I say fresh as a daisy I am obviously lying. My body clock is broken.

I used to be like that mate. Perhaps I'm getting old! 6-7 hours would be enough for me though if it was decent sleep.

Are you a new mother by any chance Adam ?

I don't think so...

EDIT: Going docs later on.

 

[monty]

PM me lad when you've found more out

 

[Goat]

Im not sure if anybody has suggested this, but sometimes, a good hard long period of self abuse works wonders.

Its all about your mind, your must have little things that are niggling away at you. Try and clear up any issues in your life, if possible, then, try and focus on 1 thing only when your going to sleep.

Sometimes if I cant sleep I pretend im the Everton Chairman and go thru things that I would do, boring as hell, but it works.

Just focus on 1 thing and dont let your mind wander.

 

[Welton Toffee]

Im not sure if anybody has suggested this, but sometimes, a good hard long period of self abuse works wonders.

Its all about your mind, your must have little things that are niggling away at you. Try and clear up any issues in your life, if possible, then, try and focus on 1 thing only when your going to sleep.

Sometimes if I cant sleep I pretend im the Everton Chairman and go thru things that I would do, boring as hell, but it works.

Just focus on 1 thing and dont let your mind wander.

Good advice that. When I've got stuff playing on my mind I can't sleep a wink.

Also if you've got an iPod/mp3 player type thing might be worth sticking a few chilled out tunes on before you go to sleep. I do that most nights and find it does help to clear the mind

 

[Dylan]

Rub one out. If that doesn't work, rub another one out. Then sleep peacefully.

 

[Lisa]

Are you a new mother by any chance Adam ?

best way to tell if you have inadvertently become one is

1. are your breasts larger than usually and can you stack c.d.'s on your
nips.

2. you find that your flange valve has worked loose and you keep on
'making little misjudgements' ranging from a 5ml spoonfull to a
broken drainpipe scenario.

3. your favourite underwear wont quite stretch over your backside
any more, which is why the seams are burst a little and frayed

4. you can quite freely talk to people about 'down below dilemmas' and
not really care who can hear.

5. you are considering trying abstaining or 'the tradesmans' to avoid
it happening again

6. you think all members of the opposite sex are bastards, as are those
that are back to a size 8 before the yellow poo's have stopped.


or maybe you are a twin and having one of those weird things you hear about.

I can only relate to number 1. Guess I've been lucky!

Try taking a hot bath before bed and relaxing as much as you can.

The top 10 foods that will help you sleep, according to RealAge.com:

1. Bananas
"They're practically a sleeping pill in a peel," quips RealAge.com. Each tasty bite contains melatonin and serotonin to make you sleepy, as well as magnesium, a known muscle relaxant.
2. Chamomile tea
This herbal tea is not only caffeine-free, but also has a mild sedating effect.
3. Warm milk
Mom was right! Milk contains a trace of tryptophan, an amino acid with a sedative-like effect, as well as calcium, which helps the brain process tryptophan.
4. Honey
If you're really wide awake, put a teaspoon or two of honey in warm milk or chamomile tea. This tiny bit of glucose will send a message to your brain to turn off orexin, a neurotransmitter that has been linked to alertness.
5. Potatoes
A small potato--about the size of your computer mouse--will eliminate acids that can interfere with tryptophan. Supercharge it by mashing it with some warm milk.
6. Oatmeal
Oats are a wonderful source of melatonin. Make it with warm milk and a drizzle of honey and you'll be lucky to make it to your bed before dozing off.
7. Almonds
Not only are almonds good for your heart, but also since they contain tryptophan and magnesium they can make you sleepy. Very, very sleepy.
8. Flaxseeds
Can't fall asleep because you're feeling a little blue? Sprinkle some flaxseeds on your bedtime oatmeal. Rich in omega-3 fatty acids, they'll perk your mood up and help your forget your troubles.
9. Whole wheat bread
Make a cup of chamomile tea and drizzle honey on whole wheat toast. Enjoy. The combination will release insulin, which helps tryptophan get to your brain where it's converted to serotonin. Zzzzzz....
10. Turkey
Arguably the most famous sleep-inducing food, turkey is packed with tryptophan. Eat a turkey sandwich on whole wheat bread, and you'll be in Snooze City soon.
Don't want to eat a snack before bed? Then eat one of these dinners, recommended by DrSears.com as the best dinners for a good night's sleep. They're high in carbohydrates and low in protein, which will help you relax. Large, high-fat meals can keep you awake all night.
Best sleepy-time dinners:
Pasta with Parmesan cheese
Scrambled eggs and cheese
Tofu stir-fry
Hummus with whole wheat pita bread
Seafood, pasta, and cottage cheese
Meats and poultry with veggies
Tuna salad sandwich
Chili with beans, not spicy
Sesame seeds sprinkled on salad with tuna chunks and whole wheat crackers

 

[Upper Sturry Sherbets]

I'm like Tyler Durden.

I only need one hour of sleep a night.

Besides, you only get one shot at life, why waste it on sleep.

Plenty of time to sleep when you're dead.

 

[Hayee]

It’s something that most of us take for granted but for me it’s become a big problem recently. I guess you don’t realise how important sleep is until you go through a long bout of poor sleep. I’ve been struggling with this problem for a few months now since I had a bad bout of anxiety before Christmas. For a while in December I only slept for about 2-3 hours each night and it was terrible. It’s got better since then but I still only get about 6 or 7 hours a night. That doesn’t sound that bad I know but its 6 or 7 hours of broken sleep and I wake in the morning feeling like I haven’t slept. I then feel like it’s going to be a real struggle to get through the day. Getting to sleep at night isn’t easy either, probably because I’m worrying about it I guess.

Some of the effects I get from poor sleep are headaches, eye pain, eyes sensitive to light, blurred vision, feeling lightheaded and raised anxiety levels. Just the feeling of being really tired all the time is quite horrible. I feel like I can’t concentrate at work, little things are worrying me which normally don’t, and I feel a bit like a zombie who is in a constant dreamlike daze throughout the day.

If anyone has any advice for me I would really appreciate it!

a visit to your doc - he can give you sleeping pills and/or refer you for cognitive therapy to help you think through your worries

 

[Gazdalf]

Do not watch TV whilst in bed. Do not have any ambient noise (Fish tank pumps, pc buzzing) in the room. No lava lamps, or mini water feature ornaments(the noise, or light will play with your subconcious).

If you are feeling hungry, do eat a round of toast as it will settle your body and its food anxiety.

Do not drink any alcohol, tea, or coffee, within an hour(maybe 45 mins) of your intended bedtime. They are all liveners, alcohol livens your mind even though it numbs your body. Tea and coffee both contains caffeine and are diuretics (encourage bladder movements).

My favourite-listen to
Enigma 1: MCMXC A.D.


Fantastic sleeping album.


(I may add, I listen to Enigma, and take absolutely none of my other advice. I hardly ever sleep more than 4 hours at the best of times, I should take my own advice sometime, but the Enigma album works a treat)

 

[faddy the blue]

It’s something that most of us take for granted but for me it’s become a big problem recently. I guess you don’t realise how important sleep is until you go through a long bout of poor sleep. I’ve been struggling with this problem for a few months now since I had a bad bout of anxiety before Christmas. For a while in December I only slept for about 2-3 hours each night and it was terrible. It’s got better since then but I still only get about 6 or 7 hours a night. That doesn’t sound that bad I know but its 6 or 7 hours of broken sleep and I wake in the morning feeling like I haven’t slept. I then feel like it’s going to be a real struggle to get through the day. Getting to sleep at night isn’t easy either, probably because I’m worrying about it I guess.

Some of the effects I get from poor sleep are headaches, eye pain, eyes sensitive to light, blurred vision, feeling lightheaded and raised anxiety levels. Just the feeling of being really tired all the time is quite horrible. I feel like I can’t concentrate at work, little things are worrying me which normally don’t, and I feel a bit like a zombie who is in a constant dreamlike daze throughout the day.

If anyone has any advice for me I would really appreciate it!

I went through a rough patch like that last winter. It went so crazy that I would wake up between 3 :55 am and 4:15 am every night. It scared me to death looking those exact same times for the whole week.

Monty's right there and I'd suggest one thing that I do. I take a nice hot shower just before going to bed and turn the fan on not too fast. I then grab a blanket and oh boy what a sleep I have then

 

[monty]

I went through a rough patch like that last winter. It went so crazy that I would wake up between 3 :55 am and 4:15 am every night. It scared me to death looking those exact same times for the whole week.

Monty's right there and I'd suggest one thing that I do. I take a nice hot shower just before going to bed and turn the fan on not too fast. I then grab a blanket and oh boy what a sleep I have then

Spot on Faddy's, do you aim the fan at your face mate, it can help you take in more air, I do that now rather then suffer the machine

 

[AdamTheGreatOneB]

Thanks to you all for your advice. The doc thinks I'm struggling with sleep due to anxiety/stress which is what I thought but was still good to talk it over. Just got to work on trying to relax I guess!