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Why Can’t I Sleep?

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Re: Why Can’t I Sleep?

#11

Post by tallanvor »

Clampower wrote: post #4

Since about three weeks ago I cannot sleep. It’s very strange. I know the feeling of anxiety and how it leads to not sleeping, it’s something I’ve had in the past at very stressful jobs. I’ve learned techniques to deal with this, like breathing and mindfulness. But right now this feels different. I’m tired, I’m lying in bed, and I don’t have any stressful thoughts. Yet somehow I just don’t fall asleep. It feels like…

Don't discount the short-term use of sleeping pills to help you reset your rhythm a bit. Using them for a week isn't going to create a dependency, but it may be enough to help you get through whatever is making it difficult for you to fall asleep.

Re: Why Can’t I Sleep?

#12

Post by me_me_me »

Clampower wrote: post #4

Since about three weeks ago I cannot sleep. It’s very strange. I know the feeling of anxiety and how it leads to not sleeping, it’s something I’ve had in the past at very stressful jobs. I’ve learned techniques to deal with this, like breathing and mindfulness. But right now this feels different. I’m tired, I’m lying in bed, and I don’t have any stressful thoughts. Yet somehow I just don’t fall asleep. It feels like…

I can only recommend book by Matthew Walker 'Why we sleep - The new science of sleep and dreams'

Re: Why Can’t I Sleep?

#13

Post by jerrre »

verytrivial wrote: post #9
Clampower wrote: post #4

Since about three weeks ago I cannot sleep. It’s very strange. I know the feeling of anxiety and how it leads to not sleeping, it’s something I’ve had in the past at very stressful jobs. I’ve learned techniques to deal with this, like breathing and mindfulness. But right now this feels different. I’m tired, I’m lying in bed, and I don’t have any stressful thoughts. Yet somehow I just don’t fall asleep. It feels like…

If you can, and haven't already, take up running/jogging/walking. I'd be a mental wreck without it and the quality of my sleep is inversly proportional to how regularly I'm running. No running means lying in bed for 60-90 minutes before sleep. Running means out-like-a-light in about 45 seconds. I might even be stressed about something but my brain in just like 'LOL no bye-bye.' This plus at least 10 mins of meditatio…

Do you mean just before bed, or in general during the day?

Re: Why Can’t I Sleep?

#14

Post by sudeepj »

Clampower wrote: post #4

Since about three weeks ago I cannot sleep. It’s very strange. I know the feeling of anxiety and how it leads to not sleeping, it’s something I’ve had in the past at very stressful jobs. I’ve learned techniques to deal with this, like breathing and mindfulness. But right now this feels different. I’m tired, I’m lying in bed, and I don’t have any stressful thoughts. Yet somehow I just don’t fall asleep. It feels like…

One thing which has helped me is to listen to a podcast or any audio of your favorite topic while lying down. Initially your mind will try to remain attentive but after 20 min or so it becomes harder. After a while you will feel so sleepy that you would want to stop the audio.

Re: Why Can’t I Sleep?

#15

Post by odiroot »

tallanvor wrote: post #11
Clampower wrote: post #4

Since about three weeks ago I cannot sleep. It’s very strange. I know the feeling of anxiety and how it leads to not sleeping, it’s something I’ve had in the past at very stressful jobs. I’ve learned techniques to deal with this, like breathing and mindfulness. But right now this feels different. I’m tired, I’m lying in bed, and I don’t have any stressful thoughts. Yet somehow I just don’t fall asleep. It feels like…

Don't discount the short-term use of sleeping pills to help you reset your rhythm a bit. Using them for a week isn't going to create a dependency, but it may be enough to help you get through whatever is making it difficult for you to fall asleep.

> Don't discount the short-term use of sleeping pills to help you reset your rhythm a bit.

Yes but before reaching for benzos maybe try something milder like zopiclone?

Re: Why Can’t I Sleep?

#16

Post by tallanvor »

HaoZeke wrote: post #2

Every time I read these things I'm surprised at how one sided and narrow minded these are! People in the nordics have existed for centuries with periods of 24 hours of daylight. The concept of natural light and sleeping with the sun is excessively stupid.

This article talks more about genetics rather than light, so I'm not sure where you're coming from here.

They also cover the fact that there are multiple processes that affect the onset of sleep, and daylight is just one of them.

It's also possible that Scandinavians have some genetic differences that reduce the effect of long days on their ability to fall asleep.

Re: Why Can’t I Sleep?

#17

Post by globular-toast »

verytrivial wrote: post #9
Clampower wrote: post #4

Since about three weeks ago I cannot sleep. It’s very strange. I know the feeling of anxiety and how it leads to not sleeping, it’s something I’ve had in the past at very stressful jobs. I’ve learned techniques to deal with this, like breathing and mindfulness. But right now this feels different. I’m tired, I’m lying in bed, and I don’t have any stressful thoughts. Yet somehow I just don’t fall asleep. It feels like…

If you can, and haven't already, take up running/jogging/walking. I'd be a mental wreck without it and the quality of my sleep is inversly proportional to how regularly I'm running. No running means lying in bed for 60-90 minutes before sleep. Running means out-like-a-light in about 45 seconds. I might even be stressed about something but my brain in just like 'LOL no bye-bye.' This plus at least 10 mins of meditatio…

Regular, daily exercise in general is the key. I wouldn't recommend running as most people only have hard pavement to run on and it's too high impact. Brisk walking, cycling, swimming and weight training are all low impact and better. But I do think getting outside is a rather important part of this too. Even if I'm doing exercise, living a life between buildings is not good for my health.

Re: Why Can’t I Sleep?

#18

Post by sammorrowdrums »

me_me_me wrote: post #12
Clampower wrote: post #4

Since about three weeks ago I cannot sleep. It’s very strange. I know the feeling of anxiety and how it leads to not sleeping, it’s something I’ve had in the past at very stressful jobs. I’ve learned techniques to deal with this, like breathing and mindfulness. But right now this feels different. I’m tired, I’m lying in bed, and I don’t have any stressful thoughts. Yet somehow I just don’t fall asleep. It feels like…

I can only recommend book by Matthew Walker 'Why we sleep - The new science of sleep and dreams'

I really wanted to love this book, and I was if anything biased heavily towards believing it. I read it cover to cover in less than a week.

Sadly, I found that book made my sleep worse. (A quick Google will show I'm not alone).

Also there is a lot of debate around the quality of the research underpinning the book, this is the most prominent article: https://guzey.com/books/why-we-sleep/

Also I really do not love his subsequent rebranding as "The Sleep Diplomat" https://www.sleepdiplomat.com/

I'm glad if it made your life better, but I cannot recommend it, and won't see it recommended without comment.

Re: Why Can’t I Sleep?

#19

Post by globular-toast »

jerrre wrote: post #13
verytrivial wrote: post #9

Earlier quoted context omitted.

If you can, and haven't already, take up running/jogging/walking. I'd be a mental wreck without it and the quality of my sleep is inversly proportional to how regularly I'm running. No running means lying in bed for 60-90 minutes before sleep. Running means out-like-a-light in about 45 seconds. I might even be stressed about something but my brain in just like 'LOL no bye-bye.' This plus at least 10 mins of meditatio…

Do you mean just before bed, or in general during the day?

It's not recommended to do high intensity exercise right before bed. This can cause difficulty sleeping. Get the high intensity stuff done at least a couple of hours before bed.

Re: Why Can’t I Sleep?

#20

Post by andi999 »

Clampower wrote: post #4

Since about three weeks ago I cannot sleep. It’s very strange. I know the feeling of anxiety and how it leads to not sleeping, it’s something I’ve had in the past at very stressful jobs. I’ve learned techniques to deal with this, like breathing and mindfulness. But right now this feels different. I’m tired, I’m lying in bed, and I don’t have any stressful thoughts. Yet somehow I just don’t fall asleep. It feels like…

When you say you cannot sleep, do you mean you didn't fall asleep for full 3 weeks a single time?
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