can't sleep :(
 

Hey,
For the past 2 weeks I am unable to fall asleep. I am not sure what it can be. I am tired but I just can't fall asleep. Because of this I've been waking around noon but the last two days I try to wake up at 8. It still doesn't effect my ability to sleep at night.
Could weather affect this? It has been much more humid then it has been starting about 2 weeks ago.

Thanks,
Robert

Weather definitley plays a role.

THere's a thread on this forum that has a bunch of things you can do to make yourself naturally fall asleep better, do a search for it and that should give you some help.

off the top of my head:

only SLEEP in the room you're going to sleep in, as in, try and stay out of it for most of the day...this will let your brain subconsciously know that when you enter the bedroom it is infact time to sleep

make sure your room is COOL. not cold, not warm, not hot, but coool..this makes things s much easier.

maybe get a CD of running water, or a rainforest? The sound is very soothing and can help you fall asleep.


hmm I forget the others, sorry.

Try winding down for about a half hour to hour before you go to bed. Read quietly, turn off the TV for at least 30 min before, put on quiet music, turn down the lights, have a cup of caffiene free tea or some other warm Non-caffinated drink, Non alcholoic too. Alcohol can help you relax to go to sleep to begin with but will interfer with your REM sleep later on. Definately don't excercise less than a couple hours before bedtime. A warm bath or shower can help. Get some lavender oil or candles. The scent is supposed to calm and relax you. Close the curtains.

If you have any concerns or plans that you mull over while trying to go to sleep then write yourself a "to do" list for the next day. Give yourself a chance to think through what you are going to do, write it down, and then you can let go of those things knowing that you won't forget them.

Is there anything you are dealing with physically? Allergies, headaches, body aches, or taking medication? Medication can screw things up big time. Any aches or pains are problematic as well. Anytime I have trouble getting to sleep because of discomfort of some sort I take a combination of Benedril (generic kind) and Tylenol. I keep them both on hand because I have such allergies and that's what I'd use Benedril for. Tylenol PM is the same combination of drugs but costs more. My Dr suggested that I take that when I was unable to sleep due to prelabor pains. It worked better than the Demerol they gave me in the hospital. I was amazed. I will now swear by Tylenol PM (or the same combination) to help get sleep when any pain is involved.

Melatonin and 5-HTP are good for helping you stay asleep if you're like me and sometimes get up at 3 in the morning! Valerian can help you fall asleep.

Mind you, you treat the cause before tackling the symptoms - IE reduce stress in your life, have a set sleeping schedule, etc.