As I write this I’m in a semi-insomniatic* state. I’ve been averaging about 2-3 hours of sleep a night for several days now. I’m zapped of creativity, productivity, positivity…..you name it, I’ve depleted it. It’s a major accomplishment to get out of my PJ’s by noon, my eyeballs have a distinct hard-boiled feeling, my muscles ache. I think I could be brainwashed into believing in an impending alien abduction, and take up residence in an underground bunker. I need an intervention.
Everything I’ve heard about insomnia tells me I’m likely stressed about something, or drinking too much caffeine or alcohol, staying up too late, or in some other way “bringing it on,” but the truth is I’m not conscious of anything that should cause this current season of sleeplessness. I’m feeling content, happy, at peace, for the most part, with my life. I don’t get it.
Let me tell you what I’ve tried, lest you think I’m a novice at this whole sleeplessness thing.-No caffeine after about noon? Check.
-Quiet, dark bedroom? Check
-Warm bath before bed? Check
-Reading? Check
-Watching a movie? Check
-Writing a list of things to do the next day so they don’t keep me up? Check
-Soft music w/ headphones? Check
-Mentally reciting long memorized bible passages? Check
-Earplugs? Check
-Tylenol PM? Check
-Ambien? Check
-A shot of (insert hard liquor of choice here)? Check
-Begging to be clubbed like a baby seal for the love of a good night’s sleep? Check (but no one in my family will oblige)
The truth is, I’ve struggled with it all my life, and I’m curious as to how widespread insomnia really is. I used to think I had it just because I traveled a lot; now I think it’s just my lot in life. But, get this—almost every friend or family member I have talked to in the last year or so has had bouts with it. People spanning from twenty-something to sixty-something. Which for me, begs the question, Has it always been this bad, or is there some sort of modern epidemic happening? And if so, why?
I have a few theories….but I’m too tired to write about them at the moment. Something about living in an age of immediate and excessive information, overstimulation…..that kind of thing. Maybe you can articulate it better than me. I can’t seem to string together a coherent sentence in this fuzzy mental state.
So….I’m asking.
Come out of the woodwork, fellow vampires (minus the blood and fangs), tell me your woes, your theories and please, please, share your remedies if you have any.
- Word software tells me I’m making this word up. The nerve.
I wish I had more concrete remedies for you – for I also struggle with insomnia at times –
the one thing that has worked for me and i know it sounds cliche – but…
I have a warm glass of milk –
it seems to do the trick – just sayin! ;0)
hopefully you will find something that works –
Ciao Bella – sweet dreams!
— Cat · Mar 10, 02:04 pm · #
I didn’t see white wine on your list. I have heard it works. When I get insomnia, it is usually allergies. Call me next time and I’ll read you some federal regulations. Works for me every time.
— Barbara · Mar 10, 02:44 pm · #
warm milk and federal regulations together might just do the trick! thanks, ladies. :)
— Staci · Mar 10, 03:36 pm · #
Insomnia – how awful :-(
Assuming you’ve ruled out medical causes (sleep apnea, etc)…
When I want to sleep, I listen to audiobooks. I really like the radio theatre ones that Focus on the Family does. And various ones done by the BBC – those posh British voices just relax me, I guess. But I hate how my ears hurt from the headphones pressing against them, so…
I haven’t tried these sleep phones yet, but I’m going to be buying a set soon. I have no clue how well they work (and I’m not associated with the company in any way):
http://sleepphones.com/escapepod
After I buy them, I’ll be trying out their sleep tracks (they need headphones to work) – again, I have no clue how well they work, or if they might trigger a migraine, excessive drooling, or strong desire to eat all the food in your fridge at 4am:
http://sleepphones.com/downloads
Sorry I can’t be more helpful – but I certainly hope someone’s suggestions can be helpful to you
— Sandra · Mar 10, 03:37 pm · #
OK! Gonna try commenting again, hopefully this will go through this time.
Count SHEEP! :)
Have been thinking about how we are so overstimulated…can’t even watch a movie without having the phone handy to text or check email…all at the same time. Don’t know if this is applying to you~ that you’re on overload…but it’s something that’s on my mind and something to consider…paring WAY down and see if rest comes.
Get some rest. :( Love you.
— Lori Sabin · Mar 10, 07:37 pm · #
Wow. My unprofessional and unvalidated (beyond myself) opinion is that you are “wired”. To put into terms you are familiar with, you are “unresolved” at the end of the day. The body still physically needs sleep, but something in the mind (albeit subconcious) is working to prevent this. I’ve found for me the solution is to uncouple the mind and body. The easiest way to do this is to make the body so physically tired, it really doesn’t care anymore what the mind is thinking. This will help deconnect the mind and body and turn off the subconcious mental / physical red alert and moderate the body’s processes. Cut the caffiene as much as humanely possibly, stay hydrated, and go on 3-4 mile walks shortly after dinner. (Add a shorter 1-2 mile walk in the morning if needed). You will be sleeping in no time, I hope!
— Pat · Mar 10, 09:57 pm · #
I have total empathy for you! I have been an insomniac my entire adult life. I really do think that ultimately, it is the conclusion you have come to that you are either predisposed to it or not. More women have it than men. I think part of it is overstimulation and particularly on the part of women is worrying about all the things they feel responsible for. I think that not being online or on computers an hour before bed can help Not eating too close to bed also can also help, and not over indulging in alcohol. .However, I do think a great part of it insomnia chemical and also genetic.
I think that people who have been gifted with lots of energy suffer a lot…it is very difficult to slow down at night because you still feel like you can continue on but in your brain know you have to go to sleep & be in tune with the rest of the world. I think artists have a particularly hard time with this as it is often late at night when it is quieter that the creative juices start flowing.
Complete exhaustion really helps, of course (I know when I work on features for a long time, I don’t have as much of a insomnia issue, but of course then I have the opposite as I am greatly sleep deprived).
Ultimately, the best thing that I have found that helps me to get to sleep it Melatonin. I find that the liquid formula works best. This will help you get to sleep, but will not help you get a more qualitative sleep. But I think if you are like me, it is more trying to get to sleep that is more the battle. I think you should get some melatonin (again, I find that the liquid works better than tables) and see if that helps.
WIshing you all the best for getting some sleep. I have great empathy for what you are going through.
Mich
— Michelle Gasque · Mar 11, 06:05 am · #
Thank you SO much for the input, my friends.
I’m checking back frequently and getting some great tips.
— Staci · Mar 11, 10:29 am · #
I have period of this frequently. I think it is overstimulation and that my mind gets so excited when it’s quiet, it goes into overdrive. My mother always advises to totally exhaust yourself physically – her method of choice, cleaning out ditchbanks. Me, not so much! But I find that keeping up with my three grandchildren, age 22 months, 21 months and 4 years helps……. The other thing that helps, is to watch something really funny, that makes you totally crack up….exhaust yourself with laughter…instead of counting sheep, watch Shaun the Sheep…. I think it is that creative genuis given to you by God that keeps you up…..maybe you only need to sleep once a week…..;)
— savita · Mar 27, 02:59 pm · #
Savita—I love the idea of exhausting yourself with laughter!! That makes such great sense! :-)
— Staci · Mar 27, 03:37 pm · #
Hormones, baybee! Just like when pregnant, fluctuating premenopausal hormones will wake you up at weird times. If you want to know more about what I do the counteract this, email me and I will share. If nothing else, call me at 3:30 am some random night and we can chat. ; )
— Judy · Mar 29, 03:01 pm · #