Struggling to fall asleep

[Hilly]

BTW, I do feel my problem are a bit trivial, which I do feel embarrassed about compared to the sheep farmers amongst us who are having a hellish time lambing in this weather

Dont , one persons trivial problem is another persons huge problem, nothing to be ashamed of we all have different thresh hold levels for stress.

 

[kill]

Try having a radio on at a very very low volume or reading the entire backlog of @Cowabunga 's posts on here?

 

[milkloss]

Ive got the opposite problem sorry to say. I used to think about the next days jobs or think about designs of things as I went to sleep. Now I’m just out like a light as soon as I go to bed and then groggy as hell when I wake up. Kind of miss the thinking time.

 

[Woolgatherer]

I have had trouble getting to sleep for a long time, as soon as I lie down, my brain starts thinking and I can't switch it off. What's helped me is to choose a category (say "fruit") and start alphabetically thinking of a fruit for each letter. "A" apple, "B" banana etc. It gets hard to think of something but more to the point, it gives my brain a job to do that's not worrying and I've found that I fall asleep before I get beyond "M". Works for me!

 

[Enfoff]

I have had terrible sleep for months - not being able to nod off then waking every hour so. With little sleep at lambing it got better albeit shorter nights! I've ditched my usual ipad surfing for a book which seems to help a little. I've got a friend who can't sleep at all with out the noise of a fan. His wife wouldn't have it on in the winter so he recorded it onto his phone and plays it until he sleeps.

 

[Clive]

best tip I was ever given was to have a pencil and paper at bedside, My brain goes mad with ideas and remembering stuff I need to get down as soon as I hit the pillow and if I don't write them down it does keep me awake

Exercise helps a lot as well, if I go to the gym I always sleep like a baby

 

[RWG Contracts]

Normally I had no problem falling asleep, but over the last month or so when I go to bed I can't get to sleep, it's almost like my brain goes to overdrive and I have all kinds of thoughts gong through my head.
I'm not helping myself as i'm on my laptop all evening until bed, but never been a problem til recently, people have suggested reading a book but i'm not convinced as when I was younger I had the radio on and that kept me awake too.
I have a feeling it's stress of the weather and being behind with work that's the problem is the issue, it's driving my missus crazy and she's suggested I sleep downstairs.
Short of alcohol or tablets I don't know what to do.

Come and lay some concrete with me, I usually fall asleep driving home

I got Eurosport on sky and watch curling or bowls or snooker the last hour I’m awake. Really chills me out

 

[Lazy Eric]

I find if I go to bed later and get up earlier for a couple of days I have no problem sleeping after the second day.As someone else said if you can’t sleep get up and watch tv for a while.

 

[Treg]

Normally I had no problem falling asleep, but over the last month or so when I go to bed I can't get to sleep, it's almost like my brain goes to overdrive and I have all kinds of thoughts gong through my head.
I'm not helping myself as i'm on my laptop all evening until bed, but never been a problem til recently, people have suggested reading a book but i'm not convinced as when I was younger I had the radio on and that kept me awake too.
I have a feeling it's stress of the weather and being behind with work that's the problem is the issue, it's driving my missus crazy and she's suggested I sleep downstairs.
Short of alcohol or tablets I don't know what to do.

Twinnings sleepy tea (other brands are available) works wonders, find I'm more chilled out the next day.

 

[marcot]

I have had trouble getting to sleep for a long time, as soon as I lie down, my brain starts thinking and I can't switch it off. What's helped me is to choose a category (say "fruit") and start alphabetically thinking of a fruit for each letter. "A" apple, "B" banana etc. It gets hard to think of something but more to the point, it gives my brain a job to do that's not worrying and I've found that I fall asleep before I get beyond "M". Works for me!

Mulberry [emoji6]

 

[Woolgatherer]

Melon!
I didn't mean that I couldn't think of one - just Ive fallen asleep by then!

 

[Rob Holmes]

Mango!

 

[Jackov Altraids]

We are all different. All, a few or none of the things mentioned here may help.
It is normal, I think everyone goes through times where sleep suddenly seems a problem.
I can't sleep with the TV on but can't stay awake with the radio on.

The basic things that I think help are;
A pre bedtime routine. It could be anything and could be 10 minutes to an hour but trains the mind into knowing its bedtime.

If you can't sleep after 20-30 minutes, think of something you want/ need to do and get up and do it. Even if it is write a plan or list. Then try and get back to bed as soon as possible and repeat as necessary.

If you know that there is actually an underlying problem with stress , health etc, ask for help.

 

[ginger007]

Keep a notepad by your bed and last thing at night, write down your worries, all of them, even the daft things like "need to fill up the car".
You'll find once you've written them down you know you won't forget them and they seem more trivial.
Works for me anyway!

Also, ASMR videos on youtube are fantastic to cure insomnia.
Put on some earphones and open your mind (it's strange but addictive).

Good luck!

 

[Lili]

I have had trouble getting to sleep for a long time, as soon as I lie down, my brain starts thinking and I can't switch it off. What's helped me is to choose a category (say "fruit") and start alphabetically thinking of a fruit for each letter. "A" apple, "B" banana etc. It gets hard to think of something but more to the point, it gives my brain a job to do that's not worrying and I've found that I fall asleep before I get beyond "M". Works for me!

Have used this as well - vegetables are good as too! I think any trick that makes you concentrate on remembering something pushes any other thoughts out and gives your brain a chance to relax .

 

[Gong Farmer]

I've done that with good effect also. Towns in SW England, David Bowie songs, wild birds, workshop tools, anything will work.

 

[Paddington]

Our local stone is Dhustone, a very hard, greenish material, very tactile. Spend a few minutes in bed moving your fingers over the surface of a piece of this and thinking of nothing slowly. If this fails then stick a lump inside your pillow and you'll be out like a light.

 

[Dairyfarmerswife]

I listen to podcasts using headphones so as not to wake the other half - you can set them to switch off after x minutes - a perfect distraction to get me back to sleep. Everything always seems a much bigger problem in the early hours

Podcasts here too. I like gardeners question time - interesting enough to listen to but boring enough to fall asleep to! Also The Archers, More or Less, The Bottom Line. I don't like radio in the middle of the night, the news can be depressing!

 

[Hooby Farmer]

Like most people say pencil and paper get it down before bed. Tbh I don't sleep well haven't done since I've been 17 get between 2-4solid hours on an average night. Ive tried everythinge, i guess it's the way I'm wired. There is a post today about someone who got away for the night. I always sleep soundly when I'm away from the place.

 

[Dry Rot]

In hospital with a slipped disc, I was on strong medication to get me to sleep. Then they stopped it. I could not sleep for love nor money. Matron said, "If you can't sleep, don't try. You'll be more tired tomorrow night and you'll sleep then". There's logic in that!