Insomnia

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I had insomnia last night, I didn't sleep at all, I went to my living room & I didn't fall asleep until around 5. My bedroom is stuffy, it's easier to sleep in my living room. I also have problems with my nose that makes things hard for me.

How do people here handle insomnia?

Currently I've cut down massively on my caffeine consumption, which I think has helped, but even if it's a placebo effect, it's still better for my body, anyway. I was a massive coffee addict until very recently, but have had success in simply drinking other hot drinks I enjoy. Teas still contain caffeine, but I had a previous tendency to make extremely strong instant coffees two at a time, which could be about 300-400mg of caffeine in one go, and that would just be the start of it. I've got the mother of all loud alarm clocks that certainly helps wake me up, but I'm thinking of getting one of those apps for my phone as well that forces you to engage your brain after being woken up (fancy an early morning maths quiz?)
To my peril, I find if I go back to sleep after turning my clock off like a zombie, I'm straight back to square -1 and remaining wide awake at 4am in the morning. So the apps represent a possibility here, or maybe one of these:

Horribly - I medicate my insomnia with alcohol which is not healthy to do. (Don't try this at home, lol)

After reading up on the topic and experimenting, it seems like daily exercise, less caffeine and nicotine, and reading while I'm laying in bed (with blue-shade activated!) seem to work to varying degrees.

Melatonin is like the gateway to sleep paralysis for me, but some people have some luck with that.

I started taking the antidepressant Trazodone afew years ago when I was having insomnia & a minor depression that not sleeping well contributed to. It's used off-label for sleep more than for depression. I wouldn't recommend it thou unless you have regular insomnia &/or depression. I have some sleeping meds on hand for occasional use. Unisom, Vistaril & Benadryl are over the counter antihistamines that can help with sleep(there's probably others but I cant think of them off the top of my head). I never took Vistaril thou & I have a paradoxical reaction to Benadryl & it makes me hyper but it makes most people tired. There's other meds out there but I'd talk to a doc before trying them.

once in a while, I get so uptight, anxious, stressed, or edgy that I get insomnia.

when I get insomnia, I handle it badly. I obsessive compulsively check the time and calculate how many hours of sleep I missed. then I get preoccupied about the latest greatest obsession.

sometimes, I handle it so badly I get out of bed and then gorge. then I got 2 problems. can't sleep is one. could always make up sleep sooner or later. but gorging. bad. then I try to eat less the next day, and then I feel deprived and end up eating more. vicious cycle

sleep meds

try counting sheep

go to sleep the same time every day

eat a healthy diet

exercise moderately a couple hours before bed

get a psychologist, support group, psych meds

take up a hobby

find something relaxing

Sometimes it helps if I read a book then can fall asleep easier. My issue is falling asleep until 11:00 or later watching TV & then get up to go to bed and have trouble going back to sleep.

I handle it with caffein. If it persists, I sign up for overtime so that I'll pretty much have to crash after work.

Yes, I have insomnia for months now. It is beginning to severely affect my brain function and energy levels. What helps is:
Piece of mind in general.
Comfortible surroundings.
The idea of alfa, beta, gamma, and delta states of the brain.
Steady sleeping schedule.

I used to have insomnia really bad, it started when i was a kid and I just loved the quiet/peace of the night. I used to sneak out and go outside at night. It was lovely.

These days if I don't get any exercise during the day it comes back. I need to be active or I can't sleep. Even if I go for a 10 minute walk it helps. Maybe it'll help you?

In the 90s, I had really bad insomnia once, I didn't handle it good, it drive me so crazy, I took sleeping pills then, once I almost overdosed.

I started having sleeping problems in my 20s when I was in my 1st relationship. I was so obsessed with her that it made it hard to sleep & I didn't like the idea of sleeping alone. I had sleeping problems on & off sense including insomnia, occasional sleep paralyses & very occasional night terrors. I was really lonely & hated the idea of sleeping alone & I was anxious about going to sleep & the anxiety made it hard to sleep well. I haven't really had any sleep problems 1ce I moved in with my current girlfriend except for that period of insomnia a few years ago. Being on anxiety & OCD medication probably helps too.