Insomnia

For the third time this week, I have been awake since around 3am. I'm not woken by anything as far as I can tell - all is quiet inside and outside. Thing is, once I'm awake I have to get up - the day starts here. So I make tea, read a book, go online, and generally potter about quietly. Its happening more and more often as I get older (its not just a lockdown thing) Good job I'm an early riser anyway! By 9pm or so, I am tired and a bit grumpy and just want to sleep.

If you have insomnia - what do you do? Try to go back to sleep, or amuse yourself until its a more "normal" rising time?

Re: Insomnia

I have suffered insomnia for the last 3 years. I don't fight it - I get up when I wake up, make tea, get something to eat if necessary, read the papers, answer emails, work on my photography. When I'm tired at about 8/9 am, I go back to bed and sleep for a further 2/3 hrs.

Then I'm up for the day.

Re: Insomnia

Interesting, PB....I can never go back to sleep - even if I have stayed up for a bit. I do try it on occasion and if I am successful in napping, I always wake up again feeling yucky and wishing I hadn't bothered!

Re: Insomnia

A strong cup of tea sorts that out, Pixie.

Re: Insomnia

Yes that's true, PB....a jolt of caffeine works wonders!

Re: Insomnia

You have my sympathy Pixie I go through bouts of insomnia and its no fun is it.

I deal with it my way and it works for me......never put the light on stay in the dark even if you go to the loo don't put the light on....try relaxing and thinking of your favourite place for me its always a beach but wherever you want.....then relax from your toes up thinking of each area of your body right up to the hairs on your head....then slowly take a deep breath and count to ten exhaling....repeat then repeat again but this time count to 15....then snuggle down to sleep I know it sounds complicated but honest it seems to work.....I read somewhere that doing this resets your nervous system or something like that.....anyway it works for me......sometimes

If all else fails I come to OFF for a while then get up.... unless I have my grandson staying then scrub everything I've said and I just do as I'm told

Good luck

Re: Insomnia

Aww thanks, Summer! I do try all the relaxation techniques, and they do help send me off to sleep initially....but not helpful when I wake again, unfortunately. I just feel so....awake and alert. I know back in Victorian days, there used to be coffee shops open and churches, for those that couldn't sleep. Families used to meet up and do things, then return home and go to sleep for another few hours. It was considered quite normal....this is not my normal though, I want 7 hours!

Re: Insomnia

Good luck anyway Pixie.....Next time I'm here in the early hours unable to sleep....I'll watch out for you

Re: Insomnia

I usually sleep OK but like most people..I have "those" nights. Can't turn my brain off. Then, if the temperature is mild or cold, I'll have a hot milky chocolate. That usually does the trick. If it's hot I usually turn the air con up full blast and do the same thing.

Re: Insomnia

Ahh, air con....yes, in Summer I could do with that. The fans are just too noisy to switch on at night. I should just get Mr P to waft me with ostrich feathers I think! Also, I don't know about the hot chocolate at night....I tried it once or twice, but it didn't make me sleepy. Which is a tad annoying.