I have been having a heckuva time falling asleep at appropriate times – appropriate times being at bed time, at night when the rest of family is sleeping. Please no “getting old” comments. I am quite aware that things are changing for me as I have jumped into my 40s with aplomb, but that doesn’t change the fact that I miss my sleep.
Things I have tried:
- exercise but not too late in the evening
- unplugging and getting away from the backlit computer screen at least an hour before bed
- stop reading in bed to remind my body that the bed is for sleep and not for studying
- eating ramen noodles when I am hungry at night (msg folks)
- reducing caffeine intake during the day
Things I am considering:
- earplugs so that I can’t hear my husband’s cpap machine (think Darth Vader)
- changing the time I take my medications
- increasing my caffeine intake
So, I am fairly certain there are those of you out there who find counting sheep a big waste of time. What do you do to unwind, relax and fall asleep??
Had to get a fan for white noise for my husband’s CPAP. I feel your pain! When all else fails, take a 1/2 dose of Tylenol PM or Benedryl (ahem, not that I ever do that…..) 😉
~ A warm/hot bath using lavender bath soap & maybe some lavender lotion (although sometimes that’s too much lavender), or
~ chamomile tea, or
~ Tylenol PM (1/2 dose),
~ small glass of wine
I count backwards slowly from 100 along with my breath. Each inhale and exhale is one number and I become aware of slowing down my breath. If I’m really wired I may have to do it twice, but it usually does the trick.
If I have to fall asleep fast, Benadryl is my drug of choice!
When my sleep cycle doesn’t fit with the rest of the family, I get up earlier in the morning and make myself stay up with no naps during the day. It usually takes a couple of days but then I am dead tired at night.
I’ve always heard that #1 way to set your bodies sleep schedule is to wake up at the exact same time every day.
I also do the no-napping thing, so that by 11ish I MUST collapse in bed.
Sorry to hear your having some issues in this department! Feeling tired really bites. 🙁