Thread: Dealing with insonmia?

I have insomnia every night, and it is really annoying. I just can't fall asleep. I'm just a kid, I don't drink caffeine or anything else except water, and I don't want to take any medication. I've looked at several sites for helping me fall asleep and nothing is working. What can I do to get a good night's sleep?

How old are you?

Originally Posted by Naiya

How old are you?

Old enough.

(AKA it doesn't matter)

I don't know too much about insomnia. Mostly, I only ever experience it when I'm thinking too much about my day, or if I'm trying to WILD at the wrong time.

But I went ahead and looked it up for you!

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Insomni...t_for_insomnia

Hehe, all right.

I was just wondering. Have you tried the usual methods for winding down before bed? Like, a shower or bath and not being online or watching TV for the hour before you go to bed? Reading a very very boring book?

Some people take over the counter sleep aides, but those can be addicting, so I would avoid them if possible unless your doctor recommends it (in other words, you'll be completely dependent on them to get to sleep at all).

Originally Posted by Naiya

Some people take over the counter sleep aides, but those can be addicting, so I would avoid them if possible unless your doctor recommends it (in other words, you'll be completely dependent on them to get to sleep at all).

Speaking of that, I take one called Nytol. One extra strength tab puts me out for 8-9 hours. Doesn't seem to affect dreams or recall. Been lucid once when I took it (doesn't really up the chance, just noting that it doesn't down your chance, either!).

It hasn't been habit forming for me and it's also found right on the shelves at your local drugstore. My guess is it's probably just antihistamines.

Only problem is it feel pretty sedate when I wake up. That fuzzy, groggy, stream-rolled feeling. Doesn't usually go away for a few hours.

Normally, before I go to bed, I read a book. I get extremely tired after reading a few chapters, but I just don't fall asleep .

As I said earlier, I'm trying to stay away from medications and drugs. The wikipedia article looks like it has some interesting non-pharmacological solutions that I'm willing to test out.

I am also trying to accomplish lucid dreaming (the EILD tracks at the Audio Aid Repository make me very sleepy), but I'm not sure if I can do it since it is hard to do dream recall if I never dreamed in the first place (even if I do fall asleep, I don't remember having a dream). Should I give up on that and focus more on solving the insomnia?

Originally Posted by Naiya

I was just wondering. Have you tried the usual methods for winding down before bed? Like, a shower or bath and not being online or watching TV for the hour before you go to bed? Reading a very very boring book?

I've also found that those little tricks help a lot of people. Here's this one site where you can find all of those little tips and tricks (stay hydrated, get lots of sunshine, powernap, etc.) and then there's another site I found about using fung shui and qigong to counter insomnia, if you're interested in that kind of stuff.

Hope you find something that helps.

Originally Posted by Naiya

How old are you?

When I was in the 5th grade (5 years ago) I had the exact same problem.. Maybe its a childhood stage?

Originally Posted by Kraftwerk

When I was in the 5th grade (5 years ago) I had the exact same problem.. Maybe its a childhood stage?

I don't think it is, its been happening for years.

Originally Posted by Sinani201

I have insomnia every night, and it is really annoying. I just can't fall asleep. I'm just a kid, I don't drink caffeine or anything else except water, and I don't want to take any medication. I've looked at several sites for helping me fall asleep and nothing is working. What can I do to get a good night's sleep?

If you are serious about the insomnia then you might try Emotional Freedom Technique (EFT), The Option Method by Bruce di Marsico, relax your tongue, massage your jaw, massage/squeeze your temples, herbal teas, melatonin, magnesium, zinc, supplements, 5-htp, explore essential oils, eat carbs right before you go to bed, & my favorite stand as a tree chi kung. You can get a book called The Way of Energy by Master Kam Lam Chuen.

I have had chronic insomnia for years & Im 28 now. Now I might have insomnia that lasts all night maybe for 4-5 a year. Not bad considering it had been 4/7 nights of varying intensities for the first 27 years. I have been exploring relief for a long time. These elements have worked wonders for me & my dreaming.

Happy Trails

Are you serious?

I just mentioned several times in the thread that I'm not taking medication. I would edit the topic post and make it more clear, but I can't find an "Edit" button.

As for sleep habits, I doubt I'm doing anything wrong there. Normally I read a book before I go to bed. I only drink water (with no ice). My bedroom is very plain, it just has my bed and a desk in it. All lights are off when I am sleeping.

Maybe its your bedroom? Is it a little too plain? Are you comfortable at night?
Also do you often think too much when trying to sleep?

Have you spoken with a Doctor at all Sinani?

Some people are lucky, or in our cases, unlucky to require tiny ammounts of sleep and keep themselves on edge all the time. I am lucky to not be one of those people, and need an average of 7-8 hours sleep.

I know you don't necessarily want medication, But it could slow you down enough to develop a normal sleeping pattern and have some Lucids.

And nvm lucids, just dreaming in it's own right is worth it.

Originally Posted by Loaf

Maybe its your bedroom? Is it a little too plain? Are you comfortable at night?
Also do you often think too much when trying to sleep?

My bedroom is fine, and it is plain in a good way. I am very comfortable at night. Often I have a lot of thoughts in my mind when I first get in bed, but then they go away after a half-hour or so.

Maybe you just need to clear your mind? I go to bed and think about things (like gifts I want ) for hours. If not, I'll often toss and turn in my bed constantly. I have been having trouble sleeping recently, and discovered that I have to get comfy by sleeping in strange positions like being in a ball or having my legs dangling off the bed.

Originally Posted by Sinani201

I have insomnia every night, and it is really annoying. I just can't fall asleep. I'm just a kid, I don't drink caffeine or anything else except water, and I don't want to take any medication. I've looked at several sites for helping me fall asleep and nothing is working. What can I do to get a good night's sleep?

I've had problems sleeping all my life.
Try meditation, it works for me, but it took a long time to master because my mind races about millions of things at the same time. Once you've done it a few times it will come easier each time. It also helps to become lucid.

Try writing in a journal before you go to sleep. I've heard this can help empty the mind while reading can just stimulate the mind even more.

Good luck.

People don't realize just how much they take sleep for granted until they can't get it.

As many people have already suggested, start with good sleep hygiene techniques before you go for anything crazy. The small things can make a huge difference. Stay away from bright light for an hour before bed (including television and computer monitors). Use the bedroom only for sleep, so your body instinctively knows it is time to sleep when you are in bed. Try to keep a consistent sleep schedule. Go to bed and wake at the same time every day (as much as possible).

You can try some easy relaxation techniques while you are getting ready for bed. You don't have to do any long meditations. Just do some calming mental excercises while brushing your teeth, or whatever your nightly routine is.

When all else fails, and I get stuck awake with a racing mind in the middle of the night, I use reverse blinking. I just close my eyes, breathe normally, and start to slowly count every breath as I exhale. At each exhale, I say the number to myself, then quickly blink my eyes open and closed again. Just like blinking, only in reverse. I don't focus on anything, and it works even if the room is completely dark. I like this method because it does not rely on any sort of visualization. Taxing your mind with a complicated visualization or relaxation method is the last thing you want to do when your mind is already racing. You can also use this during the day to relax yourself, or as a part of a WILD meditation.

I posted a new entry on my blog which has some tips on better sleep, control, and recall. You may have already come across most, but it might be useful to check.

http://www.sliceofloaf.co.cc/2010/02...-dreamers.html

My fiancé has suffered from insomnia and is now drinking herbal tea which seems to help somewhat. He still wakens too early but it at least is giving him some rest. Do check with your doctor about anything you add to your regimen, whether prescription or not. There can be so many interactions you do not want to take any chances..