How To Get My Sleep Schedule Back on Track

Hi.

So I haven't exactly been doing too well in the sleep department. I've been having...well, I've been having anxiety, basically. And it's been playing havoc with my sleep -- I end up staying up pretty late worrying and I end up paying for it later (by sleeping in later or just being tired during the day or both). It also doesn't help that last night I had a thought/hallucination that was so frightening that I couldn't go to sleep without the light being on, just because I was afraid of someone or something being in my bedroom (which I confess is ridiculous because my door was closed, but...well, tell that to my imagination. :/).

So, what do you suggest I do to help me get to sleep? I usually try reading, putting the meditation on as well as some other form of audio (I know it sounds weird, but I can't get to sleep without some sort of movie or audiobook on), but I could use some additional help in terms of getting to bed. Any suggestions?

Lady revan, everyone's sleep pattern is different. I put a fan going for background noise, i leave the bathroom light on but turn my bedroom lights out. I try reading before i go to bed for it makes me tired, like a good novel or meditational. Something uplifting before retiring for the evening. And that helps me. I hope this helps you, tc

Thank you so much. I've actually found that reading before bed kind of calms my mind down as well. I've also on my mom's advice started taking melatonin again to help me sleep -- let's say last year it helped to actually get me to sleep when I was having issues. And I'll definitely be giving your suggestions a try; thank you so much!

Just wanted to say it worked! Thank you so much. I didn't really have a fan, but I do have a program on my phone that has a fan noise among the number of possible sounds and it was actually pretty soothing to listen to. So that plus reading before bed plus the audiobook I put on plus the melatonin...I actually got to bed. I did have a pretty wacky dream but I didn't wake up horrified and having to leave the light on so...again, thank you. Really. I might have to continue using it in the future.