why cant i sleep?

[adamhornsby]

For a while now, i have been very tired, and cant sem to drift off. I've reduced my caffeine intake, and have a nice cup of horlicks before i go to bed, but i just cant sleep. And i have earplugs in, to cut out noise.

What can i do to aid my sleep?

[cazzz1975]

read a book, not an interesting book though , it will stop you thinking about work or life and it makes you sleepy.

take plenty of time to wind down in the evening before you go to bed, have a bad if you cant relax, unwind and dont do anything overstimulating before bed (playing computer games,

dont eat a snack

[adamhornsby]

Urmm, im on here before i go to bed, i guess thats having some effect

[cazzz1975]

yes, I come off here then wind down for and hour or so before bed, I couldnt go to bed straight away, I would never sleep.

[funnygirl]

It could be stress.
Are you worried about something or find it hard to switch off at bedtime with things racing through your mind??

You're doing all the right things.

Have you tried Nytol??

[jane1098]

you could try eating a lettuce sandwich. i don't know why but apparently lettuce can induce sleep.

[adamhornsby]

no, i dont eat lettuce, and i havent tried nytol. I shall come off here earlier then...

[Scarlett]

Either put on dull old World Service or Radio 4 and listen to that- sends me to sleep, or get a relaxation/meditation CD and listen to that- pref one without music, as that can keep some people more awake. I have a couple of these and they are great. I have downloaded one from ebay and recorded it onto a CD 5 times, so if the first one doesn't send me to sleep, it will keep playing til it does! the key is to LISTEN to it, and not allow stressful thoughts to enter your head about your day./ your day tomorrow etc.

[NITA EDWARDS]

adamhornsby, do try Nytol, they are wonderful, not the herbal ones although they work as well but the ones with Diphanhydramine in. I was the worlds worst sleeper but for the first time in my life I sleep all night,good luck, Nita

[tiggerblue10]

Adam, Jane is right. Lettuce has a sleep inducing chemical in it and it does work. Its mostly contained in the heart of the lettuce.

And its natural!

Sweet dreams :-)

[Whoever]

Are you keeping your brain too active by watching TV until the moment you go to bed? Try to wind down, perhaps doing some gentle stretching and relaxing exercises on the floor before getting into bed. Some calm gentle music might help - something like Classic FM, but certainly not lively pop music which has been shown to keep the brain stimulated.

[tickledtrout]

Whenever I can't sleep I always go downstairs for a while to break up the frustration of tossing and turning. Its only for 5 minutes or so but does sometimes work. Another thing is if you have been asleep and then woken up don't look at the clock cos then you can't get worked up about getting up in the morning. It doesn't take long for your body to set its body clock to waking up at same time every night

[markjones80]

Get lots of exercise, eat well, dont watch tv just before trying to sleep.

I find it hard to sleep if my room isnt pitch black.

Try these blackout blinds