can't sleep

I can't sleep. My mind just goes around and around. Like it is chasing its own tail. I can't stand it and I can't sleep because of it. I am so angry and I can't relax. I can't focus enough to do any sort of relaxation things. I thought I was going to be able to get to sleep but then when I relaxed my brain started running again. I hate this!

I'm so sorry you had a hard night Googley. I was up quite a few times myself, too hot, too itchy (my ear was causing major problems) just all out of sorts.

I've been surprised because I've gotten a little better sleep the last 3 days when I've had to go to bed so early (8:30 one night) because of getting up so early that and the next morning. I actually got some sleep between 8:30 and Midnight, maybe because it was "unexpected" by my body/head?

Maybe try going to bed with a book or something way earlier than you normally do, see if you can't fake your head out into thinking it's only a "nap" and at least get an hour's or two more rest than you normally would? I've discovered that if I get at least 4-5 hours uninterrupted sleep that I feel I've slept better than 8-10 hours where I've only gotten 2-3 hours sleep at any one time. Going to bed earlier than "usual" seems to help me with that goal and then I can get up for good at 6:00-8:00 and manage okay (whereas if I go to bed at 11:00 and wake at 1:30 and then every hour until 5:00 I end up wanting to sleep until 10:00-11:00 a.m.)

Wow can I relate to you. I think we have problems sleeping because during the day we are so busy with work and family, that at night its quiet and our brains can wonder off. I find that I pick up a boring book, this helps me unwind or I talk with my husband, and he starts telling me stories of his childhood, and like a kid, I fall asleep. Hope this helps.

Oh Googley this is awful isn't it? I'm really sorry you are going through this thing. When happens to me I take a warm bath and a chill pill then I lay down in my chair and try to relax it usually passes in about 10 - 15 minutes.

Things I'm trying are simple deep breathing and consciously telling myself to let go of the thoughts as they race through my mind,

Good luck with this,

Rhian

Do you have ocd cause this sounds like ocd I have ocd and when I wannted to relax and go to sleep my mind would have so much of things on my mind that I end up having an sleeping disorder until I told my doctor what was going on and put me on zoloft with an adhd meds so I could focus and go to sleep ritlin is the adhd med .And now I can finnaly sleep thank God.So go to the doctor and get check out so you know whats going on with you.

I can relate to not sleeping well. It's awful especially when you have to work and concentrate on your job. I have tried it all...sleeping aids from prescription ones to melatonin and they all work short term..and then I will have a few sleepless nites until one day I crash and sleep all day. I don't really go to bed thinking of anything...I just don't fall asleep right away and then wake up a few times afterwards. So, it appears you need to try soething to relax you so you don't think so much. I'm not an expert here, but I'm sure someone may have some good advice.

Thank you all for your support.

I usually just stay up until I'm so exhausted I can't think any more. I know my brain runs more when I get depressed, which I have been feeling more lately. Now I'm spending my days I don't have class sleeping until noon, but then not sleeping at night. It is so hard to get my sleep back aligned. Especially when it doesn't feel like there is any reason to get out of bed.

((((googley))))

I hope you were able to get some sleep lastnight. I do know the feeling as I did not sleep a wink at all. Not really anything running so I am not sure what is going on. But I do understand those feelings as most times that is what I feel just a constant running of things within my head and constantly writing. Have you tried to journal any when your mind is racing? Sometimes just being able to put those thoughts down on paper and then closing the book can sometimes give you enough to be able to go to sleep.

I keep a pen and paper close to my bed so that when thoughts begin to come I can sit up and write them down and then close my notebook until morning. Sometimes it works sometimes it doesn't. But at least I do get my thoughts out on paper and can go back later to see what was going on. Know that we are here for you and we care. We hear you and understand. Take care of you.

Sending gentle hugs and loving thoughts. Always.

dps

Sorry, I do the same thing. I feel like my body is sleeping but my wind is wide awake and I can't shut it off.

Googley, I can relate. I have the same problem. My mind refuses to relax. I feel like I am going in circles. I usually don't fall asleep until 5 or later and then sleep on and off throughout the morning. I know I am driving my family nuts with me being up and now. Sleep for an hour or so and then up. I can't just lay there and let the thoughts run through my head. I have to get up.

The thing is my husband and I sleep with our three small dogs and when I get up, they get up and don't go back to bed until I do. So when I get up and down, so do they. My husband says he is used to it and he gets his sleep.

Good husband, faylowell :-) I have the same problems but two cats and they often question me loudly if I get up. I didn't have a running brain but was just not comfortable; too hot, too cold, itchy, couldn't breathe, sort of would drowse but not really, had to pee, etc. over and over every 30-45 minutes for two-to-three hours and then I just say to heck with it when it gets close enough to 5:00 and dawn. I hate being up in the cold/too air conditioned house (I need it for optimal breathing upstairs) in the dark, with no coffee/comfort. So I wait until close to dawn and turn on lights, turn up the thermostat and make a pot of coffee. I'll probably go back to bed within an hour of my husband getting up. Good thing we're retired!

http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/ins...7/METHOD=print
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