advice for sleeping

[LongVodka]

Just before anyone suggests booze of any sort....don't!!! LOL

Right now, i've got a million things on my mind (the usual - college, work, friends, family, etc) and just of lately i can feel myself getting stressed. So to help, I just chill out, with music....

But now it's got to the stage where it's affecting my sleep!!! I'm not going to bed until later at night or early in the morning and as a result, I struggle to get up the next again mornings.....and now I'm having some pretty strange dreams (when I do get to sleep) that either wake me up and feel panicy (<--- is that a word?) or just dreading actually going to bed....

anyone feeling this? Or got advice?

Ta much

[bobjugs12]

Hot bath and ovaltine. Both will help you relax.
Also try exercise during the day.
And if your male, then sex is always a winner (either with a partner or on your 'own' if you know what i mean)

[ELVIS68]

When you hit the pillow, instead of thinking about stuff that`s in your thoughts just concentrate on your breathing

[stonekicker]

can always look up the term 'sleep hygiene' in google for some further ideas. can be slightly patronising, but there may be stuff suggested that are suitable for you. if it is a chronic problem, go see your doc x

[tamborine]

M. Thatcher thrived on 3h sleep nightly....dont worry about it. Set the alarm as usual & be glad if you do wake up.

[midgie]

Hi LongVodka, there are many sites on the web that give good advice on preparation for sleep. Creating a calm environment in your bedroom before you go to bed, etc etc. When we're worried our dreams are often strange. Bob - your suggestion works for women too.

[Buenchico]

The NHS website has some useful information about insomnia. I've linked directly to the 'Treatment' page but you might find it useful to read through the other links at the top of each page:
http://www.nhs.uk/Con.../Pages/Treatment.aspx

Listeners to BBC Radio 2 seem (during the past week) to have been giving support to the idea of eating a banana 2 hours before you go to bed.

While drugs are generally to be avoided, it might be worth visiting your doctor. When I was at college I'd not been able to sleep for over a fortnight. The doctor prescribed tranquillisers (diazepam = valium), with the suggestion that I should see if one tablet (rather than the usual two) would be enough to get me to sleep. I took just one tablet and slept for 46 hours!!! Annoyingly, I took the tablet on a Friday evening, so I missed the entire weekend! However that single tablet was enough to reset my sleep cycle and I never needed to take the rest of the tablets.

Chris

[tamborine]

I tried those Chris (for p.natal depression) & was completely bombed out.....the poor babe was almost lifeless when I came round. He's a strapper now :)

[beso]

Exercise and Yoga.

[hollie1586]

i know how you feel....i suffer from anxiety/depression and will worry about anything at the drop of a hat. when i am in an anxious state i usually start having nightmares and dont get restfull sleep so im knackered the next day. i have started taking 2 Kalms tablets about 30 mins before going to bed and they do seem to help. They contain hops and valerian which is well known as an aid to a good nights sleep. I have bought a dreamcatcher to see if that helps with the nightmares so will give it a whirl!
ELVIS68 had a good point. when you are in bed, take a breath in for 4 secs through your nose and breathe out for 7 secs through your mouth and just let your body relax and try to just empty your mind.