[popeye]

I am manic right now and can't sleep...what do you do when you can't sleep?

I usually try a few Ativan. And then if I still can't sleep I clean. Do you have any prn's, a book to read, a bath, journaling, my dr tells me to eat a banana. I don't eat banana's but it supposedly helps.

[popeye]

I used to drink myself to sleep but I have been sober for 5 years. I think I will try playing my guitar but I can't sit still. I can't even watch tv. Read...I love to read but when I am like this I can't focus. I took my sleep meds 3 hours ago.

[manicminer]

Exercise. If you dont have any equipment, sit-ups, push-ups, jumping jacks, squat thrusts. find different items around the house like paint cans or something and do curls. keep goin til you're exhausted, take a hot shower, drink some warm milk or anything soothing without caffeineand try to lay down again. when you do, count sheep or something to take ur mind off the racing thoughts.
hope this helps

ok, when I am like that I go running, I do push ups I clean cause its moving and requires no concentration. I'm really sorry your stuck in this, I know very much what you mean. I feel for you.

[manicminer]

Stretching and/or yoga are also great

[popeye]

I am a blackbelt in Karate ...I will do a breathing kata and try to relax. To old and fat to do pushups.LOL

[manicminer]

Yes breathing control excerises are excellent. i say two syllables on the inhale, two on the exahle. like inhale: i am exhale:asleep. and repeat til i slow my breathing and heart rate to the point i dose off

I have a hard time focusing on getting to sleep, myself. Yoga, pms or benadryl, laying down & watching a boring/"slow" movie or listening to some soft relaxing music, taking a bath & lighting some incense. Those things usually work for me. Cleaning & exercise take a very long time to relax me because it energizes me for a while & the eventual tiring out usually makes me sleep like a rock, so when I wake up the next day, I feel hungover. :P

[kitty004567]

Yoga, meditation, going for a run, researching random things online, have a cup of tea

[kindachaotic]

I get some sleep from my lamictal & klonopin, but if that doesn't kick in quick enough, I read something. Usually this forum, it helps& other stuff that interest me on the internet. Sometimes if I only sleep 2-4 hrs. it makes for a long day...

[popeye]

I did not sleep at all last night and am still full of energy.