Help me get to sleep

[goosetav]

Always had trouble sleeping and the last few weeks have been really shit.

I don't wanna hear shit about writing lists, counting sheep or repeating phrases as that crap just doesn't work.

What badass drugs (that i can buy from a shop) completely knock you out and not make you feel like a zombie the next day? Anybody who says weed is a cunt.

[Bassmonger]

Stuff like that is only a short term measure though. Long term you need to write lists of sheep. Or become an alcoholic.

[goosetav]

Give a shit. Short term measure would do me just fine right now. I'm already an alcoholic, apparently, so the booze isn't such a great suggestion.

[Matthew A]

I always find that sleeping pills just make me even more tired, and don't actually help me sleep. Valerian tea is does the same thing with less of a hangover, you can pick it up from Holland and Barrett. It's made with dragon fire, so it must be good.

[Milli Vanilli]

masturbate.

[Rob_RDG]

I'm not saying this to be a prick but are you saying 'anyone who says weed is a cunt' because you've tried it and it doesn't work or because you're opposed to illegal drugs?

[-adam-]

I used to have problems getting to sleep, not super bad ones but these days I fall asleep straight away. I think the change came when I simply put a spare duvet on top of my mattress (and under the bedsheet obvs). Super soft, ever since then I've not had problems falling asleep for a good few years now. I know it sounds like a stupidly simple and unlikely solution, but if you sleep on a fairly firm bed, you never know, it might work.

[goosetav]

I'm not saying this to be a prick but are you saying 'anyone who says weed is a cunt' because you've tried it and it doesn't work or because you're opposed to illegal drugs?

It's because I've tried it and it didn't work. If anything it made it worse which is a shame as it would have been a lovely solution to the problem. Oh well.

I've never heard of this Valerian Tea business so I'll give that a shot for sure. Adam, that's not a bad shout about the mattress. I've got a pretty firm mattress at the moment so I'll give that one a go. I'm already thinking about how comfy it will be!

[Rob_RDG]

That sounds pretty shit dude, hope you find something that works! I do find if i'm particularly wound up a hot, milky alcoholic beverage does the trick but that's probably placebo affect as much as anything else because when I was younger my dad always swore by brandy in hot milk so I grew up pretty much assuming it was a clinically tested medical solution

[Ruin]

Weed really doesn't help me sleep at all either.
I have a lot of problems with keeping a sleeping pattern and I worked out, its because I can't get to sleep untill I've been awake for around the 16 hour mark, sometimes 17 regardless of how long I've slept for, and because that number doesn't tie in with my working day it means my sleeping pattern is constantly changing and I find it near impossible to settle on a waking and sleeping time that work well with each other. Another thing that fucks it up is staying awake later than my proposed time, so like if I'm watching something I like or talking to someone that takes me past like 11PM, it means when I wake up I'm exhausted but have to put up with being that tired until 16 hours on from then, or it means I'll oversleep so I don't feel that tired.
Also going out untill 3PM on a weekend full on fucks up the entire week ahead of me trying to sort my pattern back out meaning I end up doing lots of like all nighters/dayers to try and swing it back into the right timing.
It's a wierd system and I'm struggling to explain it very well, but yeah, I also find it very difficult to sleep for long periods of time.

[Rob_RDG]

Try to avoid caffeine - any, even pepsi & tea etc - after about 2pm

[Ruin]

Hahaha I'm beyond that Rob and I'm sure this guy is! I don;t actually have caffeine anymore!

[Rob_RDG]

oh man that sucks. hope you all get sorted out!

[Ruin]

oh man that sucks. hope you all get sorted out!

Yeaah, cheers man. it's not really that much of a problem for me, it just means I come across a lot dopier and slow than I'd like to if I'd slept well!
I'm kind of used to always being tired now as well, the only painful thing is waking up and it means I find it really difficult to be in at work on time, so I really need to figure out something to do to be self employed hahaha.

[trailer_park_jesus]

Yea I have been a terrible sleeper in the past, worst weeks I might have a couple of nights when I dont sleep all night (particularly sunday nights when trying to re-adjust) and then other nights be getting about 3-4 hours max.

Happy to say things have got better lately though!


Honestly my advice is dont rely on anything other than changing your routine throughout the day and before bed, drugs or anything else dopey like drinking to help or weed - its just so short term and your body works it out...and you feel shitter the next day.

You have to be relaxed, you have to go through a routine that signifies to your body its time to relax and you have to stick with it as best as possible every night.

Also I know most people wont avoid the weekend benders when youre up until 5am but trying to get up and go to bed the same amount every night even at weekends really helps.

I know you want a quick fix but in my experience its more about small sustained improvements and there is a lot of internet material that offers suggestions as to what those imrpovements might be!

[loopylou74]

Try and get your hands on some Mirtazapine. That shit knocks you properly out! Although it does make you want to eat everything in sight as well.

[Peter]

Avoid alcohol, you say you drink a lot, that will not help you sleep. Ensure that your bed is comfortable. Dont have a telly on, try blackout curtains, ditch caffeine. Take a hot bath, drink a warm cup of milk. Then you should be all set. The actual sleeping, do not over think things, dont lie there thinking about how you need to sleep, try and clear the clutter from your mind.
This should all work, and when I follow my own advice it some times does, that said I used to be up at 3am and havent slept beyond 7am in around 12 years. I dont sleep well.

[Ruin]

Avoid alcohol, you say you drink a lot, that will not help you sleep. Ensure that your bed is comfortable. Dont have a telly on, try blackout curtains, ditch caffeine. Take a hot bath, drink a warm cup of milk. Then you should be all set. The actual sleeping, do not over think things, dont lie there thinking about how you need to sleep, try and clear the clutter from your mind.
This should all work, and when I follow my own advice it some times does, that said I used to be up at 3am and havent slept beyond 7am in around 12 years. I dont sleep well.

All of that is easily done and tried, but over thinking is my problem and why I can't sleep and you and I both know its just not as easy as just not doing it!

[trailer_park_jesus]

Its not easy but atleast it is something within your control!


Not to get too new age in this forum but if you try to practice mindfulness and be aware of your thoughts and how you can learn to let negative thoughts be less consuming.

Like i said its about getting yourself into a relaxed state - including getting your thinking in a relaxed state not just physically.

Whatever works for you to do that is fine, I have to have a radio on, have to have a fan on and have to read until I'm falling asleep with my book... a lot of the suggestions that everyone piles out for bad sleep didnt work for me, its a very personal thing but just because you havent found what works yet doesnt mean you have to give up and carry on living some sleep deprived life like you have no choice!

[Matthew A]

Why is talking about one of the oldest living religions on the planet referred to as 'new age'?

No-one has mentioned exercise. That's very useful in helping regular sleep.

[trailer_park_jesus]

ha, yea alright... point taken.


& yea excercise definitely helps so long as you dont do anything strenuous right before bed... because that does the opposite!

[Ruin]

Why is talking about one of the oldest living religions on the planet referred to as 'new age'?

No-one has mentioned exercise. That's very useful in helping regular sleep.

I try to go to the gym every day, or every other day!

[Bassmonger]

Sounds a bit zen, but just realise that it really doesn't matter if you get to sleep quickly or not, the worst case is that you'll just be a bit tired tomorrow. The sooner you can get out of being anxious about not sleeping, the better, so finding ways to completely relax and stop thinking about sleep is the way to go.

Failing that, have a wank.

[BennytheBigDog]

My advice would be not to sleep. If you can't sleep then why are you forcing your body to do something it doesn't want? I only need maybe 4-6 hours a night depending on what sort of week I've got on. If I'm really exhausted, I'll doze off when my body decides it fancies a nap. It's only a problem if you make it into one.

[jules]

My advice would be not to sleep. If you can't sleep then why are you forcing your body to do something it doesn't want? I only need maybe 4-6 hours a night depending on what sort of week I've got on. If I'm really exhausted, I'll doze off when my body decides it fancies a nap. It's only a problem if you make it into one.

Thats a nice idea but its doesnt quite work like that unfortunately.

Lack of sleep can cause all manner of problems healthwise too.