Quote:
Originally Posted by scatterbrained04
I found it most helpful to go to bed early at the same time every night. I go to bed at 9. Even on the weekends. It was really hard at first though. Sometimes I fall asleep right away, and other days it takes awhile. But I know if I get involved in something, then I won't get sleep.
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Surest way to push myself into mania is insufficient, irregular sleep, so I have developed a set of rules and rituals for myself. Just like your 3yo may want a story and a song and a snuggle before bedtime, and it has to be in just the right order, I'm the same way. Helps me a lot.
No coffee after 6PM
No screen time after 11
In bed by midnight, but take meds first
Turn on an unstimulating source of sound (My local NPR station plays the BBC all night).
Read from a book made of real paper until feeling the first signs of doziness
Down the book, off the light, focus on the sound, and let it carry you away
This isn't to say I don't need extra special chemical help from time to time. In the high sun of midsummer, Mister Seroquel is welcome aboard. And when crossing seven time zones to Europe, or twelve to Asia, I can only make do as I can. It's tough. Risperidone rides sidesaddle with me on those trips.
All off which is to say, I can see no perfect solution that works great for somebody else that will work for you. But perhaps out of all these ideas you might cobble together a plan that will work for you.
And if it doesn't? Heck, you got plenty other ideas to choose from!
Best of luck.