Not sleeping

Any recommendations for help sleeping?
I'd rather avoid prescription drugs if i can help it. they'll only end up making me woozy and at some point i'll have to come off them again.
i had no sleep sunday night, and avg 4 hours a night since.

Avoid alcohol and don't eat after 7pm. Cardio exercise helps but ensure you finish a couple of hours before your intended turn in time.

Charles

thanks. i'm trying to stay off the booze as much as possible, as i don't like to drink when i'm down anyway.

i'm actually training for a marathon, and although my heart's not in it, i'm making myself get out regularly.

still, it gets to 11pm and i'm exhausted, but just cant turn off.

Hi All!
When I was left over 2 years ago now (wow how time flies when you're having fun - thats sarcastic BTW!) I was prescribed zopliclone and tamazepan as I wasn't sleeping but these just made me feel "not really there" in the day as well...I discovered by accident some herbal tablets called "Night time"..available over the counter.
Take 2 a night...lay in a nice warm bed and read awhile and after half an hour I used to drift into a peaceful sleep. If I ever woke in the night I'd soon drop off to sleep again and the following day I'd feel awake and refreshed. They cost a couple of quid a pack and I still have some in my bathroom cabinet for use if I've had a really stressful day.
Lou x

Hi

Sleep problems are common when going through a major life-change.

I found the following helpful

keeping to a regular bedtime (even when I wasnt tired) not drinking tea/coffee/alcohol for an hour beforehand
making sure my bedroom was cosy, uncluttered and relaxing
Writing down any worries, thoughts, etc in a notebook I kept beside my bed
If no sleep after a couple of hours, getting up and doing something else (not TV tho)
Trying not to sleep/nap during the day
Meditating helps me relax and prepare for sleep

You can find some other tips and info at the BBC site -
www.bbc.co.uk/science/humanbody/sleep/articles/advicetips.shtml

What you are going through is perfectly normal. My life fell apart in November and I am still not back into a regular sleeping pattern. I can get to sleep as I am so exhausted but only end up having on average 5 hours a night.

Firstly whatever you do try and avoid alcohol.

I went to my doctor who wouldn't and doesn't prescribe sleeping tablets as he says that they are too addictive - you might find that yours is the same.

All I can say it that your sleep pattern will gradually improve. It has to because the body can't cope otherwise. I find it best not to lay there in the dark otherwise I think of all the bad things happening. I try to read to distract myself and usually fall asleep with the lamp on. But what's a few pennies in electricity if you get some sleep!

Sometimes, I found it helped to actually lie in my bed and actively try and stay awake. Don't ask me why but that always fooled my brain into wanting sleep lol.

If you are having trouble sleeping because of the silence, the dark etc, try to find something that makes you feel safer.
When things were very bad and I was hiding from my ex, I found that I couldn't sleep and I was scared. I was living in a bedsit, so my tv was in my bedroom so I used to fall asleep with 'roadwars' or night cops or something to do with reality police shows on. I could normally fall asleep then. Put the telly on timer and I would be asleep listening to the police in my bedroom (strange I know). I also used to put my lava lamp on, watching that move up and down used to numb my brain too, but also gave off enough light to make me relax.

Hope some of this helps.

K/x