How do you deal with sleeplessness?
926359
Kite Girl, you are probably anxious or depressed. Insomnia of Anxiety Neurosis is characterized by difficulty with falling asleep. However, once asleep they sleep through. With Depression, the individual is able to fall asleep but wakes up in the middle of the night (2-3am) and is unable to fall back to sleep. In any case, I think your problem is a mental one. Consider seeing a neurologist or a psychiatrist to properly evaluate this problem.\n\nBut before you go see a doctor, have you tried using a soporific? (e.g. a cup of cocoa/chocolate drink with plenty of milk at bedtime.)
557930
Try to go to bed early, Avoid use of Tea, coffee, or nicotine 2 hours before sleep.\nHad dinner 2 1/2 hour before , walk after dinner for 10 minutes.\nAvoid day time naps.\nMake your bedroom light dim\nproper ventilated\nTemp control\nListening some slow nice music while on bed\nRead some book \nAvoid drink water at time to sleep\nWork hard during day.
281246
LOVE the previous answer.\nAs for my experiences:\n1. get eight hours of sleep or at least try to wake up the same time everyday.\n2. try taking a 20 minute nap in the afternoon.\n3. Eat a light snack. Something with a bit of whole grains and some protein is best. \n4. Avoid heavy foods with lots of sugar and fat.\n5. Exercise.\n6. Take a break and do something that interests you.\n7. Aviod keeping the heat on too high. Warmth makes you drowsy.\n8. If you are at a desk for long periods of time, get up every hour to stretch and walk a bit.\n\nIf you are still having problems, see your physician as you may have sleep apnea or some sort of sleeping disorder.
164014
What I do when I am too stressed to fall asleep is: Fix some hot chamomile tea with honey and soak in a hot bubble bath with candles and relaxation/ocean music in the bathroom.  It is very relaxing.  Then, I usually play the relaxation music while I fall asleep.  Normally I don't listen to music when I sleep.  \nIt is good to set a pattern before going to bed each night.  For example, I know it is bedtime when I brush out my hair, wash my face, and brush my teeth.  My routine is simple.  Other people might have a certain drink, read a book, play a certain song, do a certain stretch routine, etc.  It is just the idea of doing a routine every night that creates a habit.  That habit will eventually sink into your subconcious and you will relate that habit to going to sleep.
758467
Yes, if you're lying there & can't sleep, that's insomnia. If you're exhausted & yet can't fall asleep, that's insomnia. Just try something different. Lying there worrying about not falling asleep makes it harder to fall asleep! Try to relax before bed by reading or watching tv (preferably something not too stimulating, maybe something really boring!) or exercise strenuously earlier in the day. Physical exhaustion makes it easier to sleep & is a great stress reliever. Or you could try yoga, meditation, breathing techniques. What is keeping you up at night? Is there something you're worried about? Getting your feelings out by talking to someone may help. Also, watch what you eat & drink. Some people say warm milk before bed helps. Watch your caffeine intake. I wouldn't recommend cola or coffee before bed.\n\nGood luck.\n\nI'm an insomniac myself. I work shiftwork & it's hard for me to get out of nightshift mode on my days off (& on dayshifts which I hate). Plus I'm naturally a nightowl. When I can't sleep I get up & do something (like playing guitar, writing songs). I figure I might as well do something constructive with my time since I'm not sleeping anyway. It's rough. I feel your pain!
787777
Get more sleep. But if that's not an option at the moment, use makeup.
977651
Top Ten Tips For Beating Insomnia\n\n1. If you have an alarm clock with a large bright display, place it out of sight. The last thing you need when trying to sleep is a constant reminder of how late it is - stressing over being awake will keep you awake!\n\n2. Eliminate as much light as possible, including light from alarm clocks and vcr panels. \n\n3. If your sleep is interrupted by outside sounds, try masking them with the sound of an air fan, a radio tuned to static or by using a white noise machine. \n\n4. Keep a moderate ambient temperature - if it's too hot or cold your body won't want to relax\n\n5. Avoid stimulants such as caffeine, nicotine or alcohol. It's best to abstain from these altogether but if you can't then try to avoid them before late afternoon/ early evening. \n\n6. Even if you're tired during the day don't take naps as this will it make it harder for you to get to sleep at night.\n\n7. Don't exercise too close to bedtime (at least 3 hours) as your body needs time to wind down and will keep your mind awake. \n\n8. Adopt a 'going to bed' routine, a ritual that signals your brain that the day is ending and it's time to shut down. Don't do any work or any puzzle-solving during this ritual.\n\n9. Only use your bed for sleep or sex. Don't fill your bedroom with computers, tvs or anything not to do with restful activities. \n\n10. If you haven't dropped off to sleep within half an hour, don't lay there stressing over it. Get up and do something relaxing until you feel sleepy.
120803
.Go to bed the same time every night\n.Read or take a warm bath before bedtime to tire you up\n.Have dinner so you're not hungry,because you can't sleep if you're hungry.But don't get too stuffed,because that can be bothersome too.\n.DON'T drink coffee or anything with caffeine at night\n.And most importantly,relax.Pretend to put all of your troubles in a bottle and keep your mind free of worry,or at least until morning.
826244
A nice warm bath before bed. \n\nTry not to drink or eat a lot before going to bed so you don't need the  loo during the night.\n\nWhere possible, try to resolve problems (that you are able to) so that you don't have them to worry about, avoid putting them off til morning (like getting stuff prepared for the next morning).\n\nAlso, don't go to bed angry!!! It really makes it difficult to sleep.
1124643
Having gone through this - it's a matter of 'retraining' the brain to understand that Bed is for sleeping !\n\nIf you can't get to sleep within about 15 mins., get up, go to another room, have a cuppa, read a book (don't watch TV) until the eyes start feeling tired.\nGo back to bed, take a few deep breaths and relax.\n\nRepeat as required, which may take several nights.\nThe important thing is not to lie in bed Trying to get to sleep, get up and start again.\n\n8 out of 10 people suffer from lack of sleep - 3 out of 4 post- operative patients suffer from this!\n\nIt's important not to stimulate the brain before bedtime - stop watching TV an hour before going to bed - don't have alcohol/coffee/cola or anything with caffeine in it - try to empty your mind of the days activities.
271054
1. If you do eat avoid sweets, with the exception of milk& cookies. (yeah I'm serious -- something about the chemicals in that snack helping you sleep)\n2. Do not read or watch TV in bed. confuses your body as to what it's supposed to be doing when in bed. \n3. Clean sheets. Otherwise on a restless night you may have the princess & the pea thing going on\n4. Clean you. Same deal. \n5. excercise -- but not too close to bedtime.  \n6. Relax your mind. For some people it's meditation, others yoga, or just writing it all down and telling your mind to deal with it tomorrow. \nHmmm - can't think of more at the moment.
674838
If you do the following you'll sleep like a baby:\n\n1.  No eating late at night.  You want your body to sleep, not digest food.  A good rule of thumb is to not eat anything after 3 hours before bedtime.\n\n2.  No alcohol.  Alcohol may help you fall asleep faster, but it inhibits the deepest stages of sleep, which is where you get the greatest benefit.  Alcohol can also interrupt your sleep.\n\n3.  Give yourself wind-down time.  A quiet place with a good book, maybe.\n\nThat will usually do it.  If you still have trouble, then take 200mg of L-Theanine (you can buy it at a vitamin store), about a half hour before bedtime.  L-Theanine has relaxing qualities.  Another thing that's worked for me is to purchase one of those CDs designed to affect your brainwaves and put you to sleep.  THEY WORK!!  I bought one at Borders's Books.\n\nGood luck!
154577
Caffeine.\n\nHere are some things that can help. \n1. Limit daily intake of caffeine especially after 6 pm. \n2. Try to avoid watching TV and hour before bed, if your mind is too stimulated it can keep you awake. 3. Drink enough water during the day, preferably half your body weight in ounces. Water is a metabolism regulator, if yours is stable you will sleep better. \n4. Try to exercise 3-5 times a week, when you sleep your body rebuilds itself, so exercising will allow the body to make you tired by emitting chemicals that allow you to get more restful sleep. \n5. Try to relax about an hour before bed, limit stimulation to your brain, meditate, read relaxing material, listen to soothing music. \n6. One of the best natural treatments for sleep deprivation is lavender extract. Some people dont like it but you put a few drops on your pillow and you will be out like a light.\n\nRegardless of your other issues you have going, some which you may have little control over such as stress, these are small things you can control that can help you sleep better.
826932
try drinking chamomile tea. it really relaxes you. i fall asleep late, too, but this tea really helps me to relax and feel sleepy.\n\nyou should make a doctor appointment and get their professional opinion very soon. gasping for air when you try to fall asleep is not a good sign. get help right away.
21604
Getting up and walking around helps a lot.  Drink some water.  Find a diversion that can keep you engaged for a minute or so when you get sleepy.  Sometimes when I get really tired in the afternoon I do math problems in my head or try to remember arcane facts about cars.  Q&A is also a good way to keep your mind alert...
971045
Realize that sleeping is not something that you have to try to achieve, its something natural that should occur on its own.\nTrying to go to sleep will only keep you more awake, just lay back, don't think too much and let sleep take over you.\n\nHere's some tips to help you ....\n- Ensure you do not eat anything at-least 2 to 3 hours before bed.\n- If you drink too much coffee or high energy caffine drinks during the day, reduce or try to eliminate them completely. Avoid coffee in the evenings, a cup of tea is better.\n- A cup of hot milk (unsweetened) before bed, should help.\n- A good shower before bed works just as fine.\n- Make sure your bed is comfortable, and the temperature in your room is set to a comfortable setting to your body.\n- If there are any external noises distracting you from sleeping, do something about it to ensure its quiet and peaceful.\n- When laying on your bed. Focus on your breathing. If you find your mind drifting to thoughts, slowly bring your attention back to your breathing.\n- Before bedtime, DO NOT engage yourself in an activity that may get you excited, such as reading a book or watching an engaging TV show, this will only make u more alert. However if it relaxes you, then its fine.\n\nHope these tips help.
944185
Try this:\nThe idea is to tone down mind and body activities hours before sleep so you will get to sleep easier...\nSome useful steps:\n1. Drink less coffee, tea or any other drinks that contain caffeine, especially after later part of afternoon.\n2. Try going to bed at the same time every night.\n3. Avoid alcoholic drinks after evening time as alcoholic drinks may cause early morning wakefulness and may wake you up after your sleep.\n4. Ensure your sleeping environment is suitable for sleeping (not too noisy, not too bright, not too cold, bed not uncomfortable)\n5. Avoid heavy meals hours prior to sleep.\n6. Stop all mind-stimulating activities 1 hour before going to bed (activities like reading research papers, reading mystery solving books, doing your school work, solving a complicated Maths question, watching your computer, watching TV, etc)\n7. Half an hour before bed, take a warm bath. Then drink a cup of WARM milk.\n8. As you lie on bed, take a deep breath and as you breath out, slowly, imagine you have abandoned your body. Imagine that your body slowly 'sinks' into your bed and become 'blended' into the bed. As you are imagining, take another deep breath and count 1. * As you breath out, slowly, now imagine your body is like water ripples spreading out, slowly. Take deep breath again and count 2 and repeat the process (from the place i marked with a *). Start counting from 1 again when you reach 9 or any number you prefer...\nHope this help. Email me if you have queries.