Sleeping?

[the8th]

I'm having issues staying asleep, and falling asleep. I'm keyed up quite a lot of the time now and worrying quite a bit but it seems as soon as my head hits the pillow it starts racing and after I eventually fall asleep I wake up about 5 hours later from something like a tiny noise or something and then I spend the next few hours tossing and turning and trying to relax. My boyfriend said I was asleep for a couple hours during this tossing and turning though it was probably not deep enough because it didn't feel like sleep and I remember waking up or being awake, but he said I was because I was snoring/breathing deeply. Anyway this is new to me because I used to sleep ridiculous amounts when I was on meds and even prior to that. I got some Valerian liquid stuff that says to take in certain amount of drops - I assume in water, but I'm a bit worried about taking it because of possible side effects and reactions and stuff. I really should just try it though. Does it help anyone and what else would you recommend to help you get to sleep?

[Daisybun]

If i can't sleep, I'll get up and have a warm milky drink, try and relax, put on some soothing music, use some lavendar oil on my pillow, I also have an aromatherapy pulse point gel that helps aid sleep. Valerian is a natural herb, don't know of a ny side effects.

Take care
Daisybun

'This too will pass'

[W.I.F.T.S.]

I've not had any trouble with Valerian.

I think the key is to unwind before you try and go to sleep. Maybe some music or a bath.

I know it can be a viscious circle when you don't sleep properly. At one point I was on Prozac and I had horrendous headaches. I'd be working 6am- 2 pm shifts and I couldn't sleep the night before, then I'd get a couple of hours in the afternoon if I was lucky. One week I couldn't sllep at all and I started worrying about hallucinating, going mad or dying from exhaustion.

I now work 2pm -10 pm shifts, which aren't much better because almost as soon as I come home I have to go to bed and I'm still really tense from my day at work.

Ships in harbour are safe..but that's not what ships were built for.

[clickaway]

If I can't get to sleep, or wake in the middle of the night and canniot get back off, I get up an make a cup of tea, have some toast and listen to the nightime DJ.

It usually helps



Ray
http://www.anxietyrelease.org.uk/

And when you get the choice to sit it out or dance, I hope you dance.
~Mark Sanders and Tia Sillers

[the8th]

Thanks guys. Last night was exhausting. I forced myself to stay in bed for most of it but I didn't sleep a wink. Mind kept racing, kept up with the anxiousness and whatnot. I feel awful right now .. don't have any work to go to so basically I gotta find something to keep my mind on.

I am not used to it and yeah I am worried it will make me more mad... bleh.

[giddy]

Hello
I always have a cd of relaxing music by my bed which I play before I go to sleep and stick on when I wake up in the night. Even if I don't get back to sleep it helps keep me relaxed. I've not tried valerian, but have heard its very good.
Love Helen

[Ma Larkin]

Hi, what you need to focus on is to act like you work a normal shift. When you get home at 10pm you should be having your tea, chilling out, having a bath. It doesn't matter that you don't sleep regular hours like 10pm til 8am like a normal shift worker does because you can have a lie in. Your body clock needs to sort itself out and get accustomed to the hours you work. I know this because my mum worked 2-10. I used to go mad at her when I lived at home because she'd be watching the TV at 2am in the morning & we lived in a bungalow so I could hear it. She explained this theory to me & I just swapped bedrooms with my sister cos she could sleep through a hurricane lol!! Don't go to bed until you are tired, its pointless lying there willing yourself to go to sleep & just remember that you don't have to get up early. You should be having your breakfast at dinner time & eating your tea at supper time, to revolve around your shift.

Hope you soon get it sorted.

Les, xx

[the8th]

My current "shift" is (or was) sleeping around 3-4 a.m. and waking up at 11 a.m. or 12 p.m. I went to bed at my regular time, and it didn't work, so I'm not really sure I understand what you're saying. I don't have a job right now either.

I also usually have some warm milk before bed.. I think I will try this down time thing.