[DarkLadyofMidnight]

Hello there,

I've had insomnia for so long that I've practically forgotten what a good nights sleep feels like, I don't get cranky or anything like that but I have found that I don't need sleep as much and can function on about two hours of sleep now.

But it is worriesome and it does add to my already nervous attitude so if anyone has any hints on how to deal with insomnia to get a better nights sleep I would love to hear them..

Thank you so much!!

[Quarter life]

Hi DarkLadyofMidnight. First up, welcome to PC. ...I only joined 3 months ago, but already I have recieved really constructive feedback and made some amazing contacts and friends. For anyone going through a hard time or those just wanting to reach out and have a chat.......this is the place.

As a sufferer of severe PTSD, I have a long standing habit of 'Haunting' my house into the small hours until exhaustion overtakes me. Most nights I just ride it out by keeping busy, as the more I stress about my inability to sleep the less I am able to sleep (I'm sure you know the feeling). However, I have a technique that helps me relax when I finally get to bed.

1. Lying on your back, ensure the covers aren't too tight around your body, especially your feet.

2. Focus on relaxing your limbs first, then your shoulders, then the rest of your body. This can take a while if you are feeling tense.

3. Once somewhat relaxed, focus your attention on your 'minds eye' (The spot just above your eyes in the middle of your forhead. Start thinking of different colours until one in particular lingers for an extended period.

4. Let's say that colour is green. Begin to really concentrate on this green by defining it's character. What shade of green is it? Is it lime green? Emerald green? Pastel peppermint green?

5. Once you have established the particular shade, hang on to that image by imagining that you are swimming and diving through it, that it surrounds your entire self, that you are wearing a magnificent gown and ornate jewels of the same colour. Imagine this colour pouring through you like a brilliant green light that reaches every part of your being.You are really only limited by your imagination...you may want to envisage yourself driving through velvet green grass in a shiny green sportscar...anything works.

6. During this process, the particular colour or shade may change shade or even change colour altogether…..just go with it. It may last a short while or much longer, however long the colour hangs around is fine. Continue conjuring up other colours, but try not to force them, as the ones that you need should come automatically.

This is what’s called taking a ‘Colour Shower’, and is meant to replenish certain energy that has been depleted. Sorry if this sounds a little ‘New Age..ish’ but believe me it truly takes you to another place in your mind. I often find that after I have done this, I just drift off to sleep, and have an uninterupted restful night. Don’t be discouraged if it doesn’t work first time, keep trying and you will get it.

Sweet Dreams DarkLadyofMidnight, I'd be interested to hear if this works for you. Q.L

[DarkLadyofMidnight]

Hi Quarter life,

Thank you so much for the advice, I will definitely be trying out your method.
I will happily try anything for a solid nights sleep.

Thank once again and I will let you know if it works.

DarkLadyofMidnight

[looking4polaris]

I like to be read to, so I sometimes listen to audio books until I fall asleep.

[DarkLadyofMidnight]

I like to read and where it usually puts people to sleep, it keeps me wide awake so I end up reading till about 2 or 3 in the morning...being read to was killed by my teachers at school...lol

Thank you.

[DarkLadyofMidnight]

Do you buy or download your audio books? If you download where do you find them?

[looking4polaris]

Originally Posted by DarkLadyofMidnight

Do you buy or download your audio books? If you download where do you find them?

I have a subscription to Audible. Also, I download many through my public library system.

Sorry to hear your teachers spoiled that for you. I highly recommend trying it with someone you enjoy being with. I suggest starting with a recording of your all-time favorite book or books you loved in childhood. Also, Audible has lists of recommended books for your first listen as well as listener favorites.
Reading to someone else is a great way to revive your enjoyment, too. Young children are wonderful for this, close friends and family or anyone who could use some human contact (and you don't have the pressure of conversation because you are reading.) We still read to our teenager and as a family everyday.

I love to read, but it stimulates me too much to help insomnia. I just read through the whole night. Listening is entirely different and soothing for me.

[RTerroni]

It's good that you started this thread because I have had trouble sleeping the last 2 nights (have gotten very little sleep) so I am wondering if I might be on the onset of insomnia.

I have been through your situation. A couple of years ago, I went through a month where I couldn't get more than 2 hours of sleep per night. No sleep aid or bedtime rituals helped me. Please research "Blue Light Therapy". It will help reset your circadian cycle. I never thought I was going to have a good night of sleep again, but Blue Light Therapy was the only thing that could help me.

[SemperIntrepida]

I just learned about the importance of sleep in my psych class. Sleep hygiene is crucial for school and work. I try to go to bed at the same time everyday, and don't let myself sleep for more than 8 hours. Also, don't do ANYTHING (read, homework, eat, etc.) in your bed, except for sleep. Your mind will start subconsciously associating bed with sleep if you only go there to sleep. If you can't sleep and youve been lying there for 15 mins or longer, get up!! Do something mildly interactive, like playing piano or a little homework, then try to sleep again. Your mind can't associate bed with frustration, that's why it's best to get up in that case.

[RTerroni]

Originally Posted by SemperIntrepida

I just learned about the importance of sleep in my psych class. Sleep hygiene is crucial for school and work. I try to go to bed at the same time everyday, and don't let myself sleep for more than 8 hours. Also, don't do ANYTHING (read, homework, eat, etc.) in your bed, except for sleep. Your mind will start subconsciously associating bed with sleep if you only go there to sleep. If you can't sleep and youve been lying there for 15 mins or longer, get up!! Do something mildly interactive, like playing piano or a little homework, then try to sleep again. Your mind can't associate bed with frustration, that's why it's best to get up in that case.

I've tried that before, I had some issues getting to sleep last night so I didn't get to sleep until around 3:45 AM but I ended up sleeping until 11:45 AM so I still got 8 hours, I just ended up getting shifted over a bit.

[RTerroni]

Been sleeping real well as of recently (I think that the over the counter medicine that I have been using has been helping a lot), so I will just stop posting on it until it returns, if it does (I am hopefully that it won't), if you don't hear from me again just assume that I am sleeping well.

[fraiser]

I had insomnia for 30 years...tried absolutely everything. All the new sleep meds everything. Eventually my insomnia made me suicidal. I was taken to a psychiatrist and they put me on 2mg of klonipin and 45mg of remeron and now I sleep great. You may want to ask your doc about it.