Happy Sunday. 
Since we didn’t get much done yesterday, we have a ton to do today! Breakfast was fast, since I was already working on stuff – a repeat of cereal and soymilk.
Now, if you’ll indulge me, I’d appreciate some tips.
I have a problem. Lately I absolutely cannot fall asleep at night! I try to tire myself out (i.e. work out a little harder, go for an extra walk after dinner, wake up earlier, etc.) but it doesn’t work! Even if I feel tired during the day but push through it so I can go to bed at a normal time, it doesn’t work. As soon as I get in bed I am wide awake, mind alert and eyes wide open. And it’ll be like that for hours! I used to get really tired around 10:00-11:00….now? Falling asleep between 1:00-2:00AM. I prefer my old habits (so does the inner old lady inside of me).
Maybe I should try counting sheep. Do you have any suggestions?
Chamomille tea? (wow I know I did NOT spell that right…) No tv or internet an hour before bed?
I know it must be awful, I hope you find something that works!!
I am anxious to see what people say. I know I don't sleep as well when I'm stressed (lately all the time with school, single life and money) or when I have ate bad that day or had a bad run. Really whenever I just can't relax. I have the worst dark circles and I wake up at weird hours all night… Sigh hopefully we have a solution!
My 'trial and error' sleeping tips would be:
1. stick to a consistent schedule in terms of when you wake up (no matter what time you go to bed, always wake up at the same time).
2. Have you tried aromatherapy? I have "sleepy time" lotions from Bath and Body Works that I use occasionally.
3. Have you tried melatonin? I used it for a little while a few months back – I don't know if it was placebo effect but I like to think that it helped.
4. I've read that laying in bed awake doesn't help. If you get out of bed and do something else for a little while (read in a different room for example), then return to bed, you should be able to fall asleep.
Hope that helps! I hate sleeping woes
Celestial Seasonings Sleepy Time Tea with Valerian.
They sell it at Wal-Mart. Make sure you get the kind with valerian. It is seriously AMAZING! I used to wake up 6+ times a night and it would take me FOREVER to fall asleep. Now I sleep through the night and don't have trouble falling asleep. My dad was on Ambien but was able to go off of it because of the tea.
Drink it one hour before you want to go to sleep. Also, make sure you aren't driving and have 8hrs to sleep.
Changed my life!
JUST found your blog after all this time… its great
Anyway, I know that really monitoring caffeine consumption (even in the form of chocolate) helped me regulate my sleep schedule! The chamomile tea is a great idea too, as is warm milk w/vanilla and cinnamon. My mom used to call it "sleep drink"
For me it helps to not get into bed until my eyelids feel heavy, etc. If I get into bed and I'm not tired yet, I can't fall asleep! Reading in bed also helps me.
My boyfriend has major trouble going to sleep and I normally fall asleep within seconds of hitting the pillow. The "technique" I use is from a yoga DVD. I close my ryes, clear my mind, and inhale//exhale very big and very slowly. With every exhale I realx my muscles more and more and sink into my bed.
Sounds super hippy-ish [which I totally am] but it always works for me and works for my boyfriend now too. Hot tea [preferably decaf without sugar] works really well and my sister used to take melatonin. Good luck! And sweet dreams! (:
1.hot bath about an hour before you go to bed.
2. tea
3. lay on your back, flat, with calming, meditating music, dark room, and candles
(that helps me)
the tea sounds good, i just hate tea so it never works for me! I had this trouble a lot a few months ago…and now I usually read before I go to sleep, even by the end of a few pages i'm instantly drowsy…makes it hard to finish a book though
Good luck girlie!
Are you working out in the morning or the evening? Sometimes if I do hard activity in the evening the endorphins kick in and I can't sleep.
Also on the nights when I KNOW I need a good night of sleep I take Melatonin. Its an over the counter vitamin that helps you fall asleep. Melatonin is what your body naturally produces to put you asleep but it doesn't KEEP you asleep like a prescription sleep aid would.
Hope that helps!! You can find Melatonin at like CVS or WalGreens
After years of trouble sleeping, I find that staying to a consistent schedule has really helped. I sound like an old woman but I try to go to sleep at the same time every night and I wake up at the same time every day–sometimes, on the weekend, I sleep an hour later–but it helps if it's no more than an hour. Still, sometimes anxious thoughts interfere, but the consistent schedule has helped tremendously!
I want start getting ready for bed really early. Have everything ready for the next day. Take a long shower and read.
I really like CS Sleepy Time Teas (I have the vanilla one right now and it's great) about 30 mins before bed. Cut back on the stimuli like Ashely Lauren already mentioned and I like to read a "mindless" book like a trashy romance or something that won't keep me up with moving plot, etc. Also, make sure you room is as dark as possible. My alarm clock as a dimmer feature on it that is a life (or sleep) saver!
house hunting shows on hgtv.
I just remembered Ry gave me a 20 minutes meditation to listen to… if you follow the guy's instructions it truly relaxes you!
Meditation To Inner Peace, Love And Joy by Brian L. Weiss, M.D I'm not sure where you can find it tho…