What do you do to get to sleep and stay asleep ??

All my life I've had trouble falling asleep and staying asleep.
And I notoriously wake up early and can't get back to sleep.
Early ... as in 3 AM. And stay awake until it's time to get up.

What do you do to help get yourself to sleep and to stay asleep?
Don't say warm milk. I don't want to be up pee'n all night.
Melatonin? I've been trying it an notice no help there.
Turn off electronics before bed?
yeah, I watch TV but am not on the computer or anything like that.
Read? No that wakes me up.
Pray? Yeah, I've tried praying the rosary, very repetative.
But that doesn't do it because I feel guilty if I fall asleep before I finish.
(the full rosary while laying in bed can take hours)
I walk four miles a day so I do get out and get exercise.
Not before bed ... in the early morning and at noon.
Tried a hot relaxing shower before bed. Feels great but not sleep inducing.

Nothing special is on my mind making me not sleep well.
No anger. No frustration except at not sleeping well. No guilt.
Nothing I can think of anyways.
I have some anxiety. Lots of worries about things.
Nothing at a 'medicate it' level and I don't ruminate before bed.

This has been going on forever.
Any tips? Ideas? Thoughts? What do YOU do?

a reply to: FlyersFan

Sorry, but I have to ask - how old are you?

Unfortunately, insomnia is a byproduct of old age (I’m not implying you’re elderly as I honestly have no clue).

My recommendation is keep yourself as busy as possible during the day. That helps the mind rest at night.

It also could be dietary. Like a soda addiction. Or even something less obvious that your body doesn’t agree with.

I always wake up at 4am regardless. I had to quit my morning job because I couldn't get any sleep, so I just became a Doordasher full time. I can't sleep until past 1am so I'm stuck.

Things that last resort help me sleep

-Sleep on a full stomach, after dinner (Not supposed to, but it helps me fall asleep) elevated pillow to help gravity push the food down

-Melatonin but I only bite off half of the pill, or a quarter. It doesn't get me as drowsy in the morning, and is enough to get me to sleep. Dose accordingly to your needs

-Long day out in the sun, yard work, unusually long walk, fishing, swimming. Usually knockout after a cool shower

I've accept less sleep as a natural sign of aging

Beer and hydroxyzine.

Do you smoke cigarettes?

a reply to: FlyersFan

Whiskey

originally posted by: KKLOCO
Sorry, but I have to ask - how old are you?

61

Unfortunately, insomnia is a byproduct of old age (I’m not implying you’re elderly as I honestly have no clue).

Really?I had no idea. This has been happening for decades now but getting worse.

My recommendation is keep yourself as busy as possible during the day. That helps the mind rest at night.

Okay, gotta' come up with something to keep me occupied. I'm 'at home' due to health issues. No full time job outside the home.

It also could be dietary. Like a soda addiction. Or even something less obvious that your body doesn’t agree with.

I'm pretty sugar free. I have autoimmune so I avoid sugar. But I'll try watching the foods and looking them up on the internet to see if there is anything that keeps people up.

Thanks.

originally posted by: Gapkid2020

-Sleep on a full stomach, after dinner (Not supposed to, but it helps me fall asleep) elevated pillow to help gravity push the food down

I'll try a snack at bed. Banana or something like that.

-Melatonin but I only bite off half of the pill, or a quarter. It doesn't get me as drowsy in the morning, and is enough to get me to sleep. Dose accordingly to your needs

I've been trying melatonin for a few months. NOTHING! Doesn't do anything that I can tell.

-Long day out in the sun, yard work, unusually long walk, fishing, swimming. Usually knockout after a cool shower

More outdoor time. Okay. I can try that. I do long walks - 4 miles a day - but I could try to do more.

I've accept less sleep as a natural sign of aging

ugh. acceptance. sucks. okay. I'll think about that. Don't like it very much.

originally posted by: LordAhriman
Beer and hydroxyzine.

Beer is out. I can't have gluten and I don't want to pee all night long.
I've never heard of hydroxyzine. I'll look it up.

originally posted by: Enduro
Do you smoke cigarettes?

no. never have.

originally posted by: watchitburn
a reply to: FlyersFan
Whiskey

A shot of whiskey sounds great but I'm worried about having to wake up and pee.
Also - Is it gluten free? I don't know much about whiskey.

a reply to: FlyersFan

Yeah, 61 isn’t old enough for that. From what I’ve learned, insomnia starts closer to the last 60’s.

Considering what you said, maybe it’s more exercise that you need.

Honestly, I have bouts with insomnia. They make incredible edibles that focus on it these days. Not sure if Delaware is legal or not. They put CBN in them for sleep. They work great. The new ones are mostly CBN with little THC. That’s my go-to when I have issues sleeping.

a reply to: FlyersFan

damn i haven't seen that name in years... i have the same problem

Beer helps

a reply to: FlyersFan

you say you worry about sin.
Do you belive that you are born a sinner by default ?

If so, I say stress.

a reply to: FlyersFan

What do you do to get to sleep and stay asleep ??

I work very erratic hours, often weeks away from home, sleeping in my truck...

Now that 420 is legal in dispensaries...infused lemonade works well usually, but when it doesn't...Lorazepam.. Dr. prescribed.

originally posted by: KKLOCO
a reply to: FlyersFan

Yeah, 61 isn’t old enough for that. From what I’ve learned, insomnia starts closer to the last 60’s.

Considering what you said, maybe it’s more exercise that you need.

Honestly, I have bouts with insomnia. They make incredible edibles that focus on it these days. Not sure if Delaware is legal or not. They put CBN in them for sleep. They work great. The new ones are mostly CBN with little THC. That’s my go-to when I have issues sleeping.

Same combo here. Same result.
The flavor I use is “ELDERberry” lol

originally posted by: FlyersFan

originally posted by: LordAhriman
Beer and hydroxyzine.

Beer is out. I can't have gluten and I don't want to pee all night long.
I've never heard of hydroxyzine. I'll look it up.

It's prescribed primarily for excessive itching but has been proven to relieve the onset of anxiety preventing panic attacks.

originally posted by: FlyersFan
I've never heard of hydroxyzine. I'll look it up.

It's a very safe prescription drug that's good for sleeping, anxiety, and allergies. Chemically very similar to Benadryl, but Benadryl leaves me laggy in the morning, and hydroxyzine does not.

My problem is that my mind races when I inevitably wake up every hour or two. It stops all of that. I just close my eyes and go back to sleep.

originally posted by: EternalShadow
It's prescribed primarily for excessive itching but has been proven to relieve the onset of anxiety preventing panic attacks.

My doctor absolutely refuses to prescribe anything that is potentially addictive, and it's his alternative to Xanax. I've personally never taken it for daytime anxiety, but I do know people who it has helped immensely in that regard.

I take trazodone. I've never been able to sleep good.