I can't sleep.

Due to work, I can usually only grab about 4-5 hours randomly during the day to get some sleep. I'm currently standing a night shift that goes until 2AM but I don't really mind since I can't seem to sleep. You'd think I'd be exhausted after a 20-hour workday (and I am!) but I can't make my mind slow down enough to sleep. All my degrading thoughts, flashbacks of things I messed up on recently, and conversations gone sour fly through my head until I find out that I've lost 3 hours of my precious sleep time.

What are some things that help you calm down at night (if you have problems sleeping)?

Hard to say, how to speedily unwind once the point of exhaustion strikes and there's not enough hours for a full seven to eight hours of sleep before toiling into the next round of working.

Chamomile tea might help? Pick up a book and read might help?

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Ooohh! Thanks for reminding me, I have tea stashed away that I picked up in Ireland. I'll have to give that a go. I'm sure developing a routine would really help but I don't even have a routine at work.

a routine set schedule helps, but 'ya gotta do what 'ya gotta do. Irish tea sounds fab

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I struggled a lot with sleep when I was working weird hours / nights. Even though I couldn't have a proper routine with work and things, I found it helpful to have a routine I'd go through before going to bed. Avoiding TV & computer before trying to sleep. Sleep mask and ear plugs are really helpful if you're trying to sleep during the day!

If it's mainly upsetting thoughts that are keeping you awake, what about trying meditation or something like a progressive relaxation exercise? There are some good guided ones that you can download, and I find that doing something like that can help me relax enough to sleep, or at least get some rest, and takes the focus off anything I'm worrying about.

I hope you manage to get some better sleep soon

I find staying away from ALL technological equipment does help unwind the mind because you are not getting over stimulated before you rest leading to your mind wandering off.

If anything try a light hearted possibly comedy series / channel before bed time.

Writing in a gratitude journal kept next to your bed helps too. And honestly the entries do not need to be elaborate. Truth be told we are not going to be living Christmas every day. This is called life. So try enter 3 things. Even if you are grateful for the weather you had that day; that is something to be greatful for.