Early Hours

[Zeffy]

Hey guys,

I don't expect anyone to read this. More of a way to get my thoughts down on paper and if anyone has any advice I'm all ears.

I struggle to type this because Im so tired. However when I close my eyes, my brain is overcome with thoughts and Im yanked back to my sleepless reality. Im finding it hard to stay rational. I can't help but think my sleeping will never return to normal.. but I want to believe it will! The more i think about a sleepless future the more anxious I get, thus the cycle repeats. The frustrating thing is I can view this cycle, I know its completely psychological, but yet I can't stop it..

It doesn't happen all the time. I don't know what causes it. The brain is a mystery.

Would love to hear from someone who's overcome sleepless nights to once again enjoy the benefits of a nights rest. Just to know there is.. hope.

[geoff]

Hello Zeffy, and welcome to the site.

Having insomnia is quite a common complaint, and it may differ from person to person depending on their particular situation, but normally it's negative thoughts that continue to annoy people, feeling overloaded with responsibilities which maybe easy, but if depression is the main issue, then to do the most simple task would require an enormous effort, so it can't be done.

Emotional issues such as stress, anxiety, and depression cause many insomnia cases, but also what you do daily or unable to do then become a constant burden, so these can be tied to an underlying mental or physical issue.

There are many ways of what to do or not what to do before bedtime, but none will work until you get help with your underlying mental conditions from your doctor/psychologist, however, this may not stop you from sleeping straight away.

There are medications to make you sleep but these are only good for 4 hours if you are lucky, so what I used to do is have the radio on to a station I liked, where music was played, and yes I did cry myself to sleep, but as soon as I woke up it was still playing, that was my company for the night.

Shift work is also a problem because you have to adjust, but I'd like to know the situation you are in, so we are able to help you further.

I'm sorry that this is happening to you.

Geoff.

[Zeffy]

Thanks very much for your reply Geoff!

I've found podcasts to be quite helpful! I used to be on shift work, and may be starting back in that position in the next month or so. Maybe that is the cause.

I appreciate your reply!

[geoff]

Hello Zeffy, shift work does affect so many people and I remember this when I was manager of a large hotel, people would come in and tell me it would take them 2 to 3 days to readjust and in a couple of days they were back to shift work, so the cycle would continue and disrupt their sleeping pattern.

I'm pleased that podcasts is helping you, that's something I've haven't tried, so you're one step in front of me, well done.

Please stay in touch with me.

Geoff.

[Ggrand]

Hello Zeffy,

Im sorry your struggling to get some decent quality sleep of a night...Geoff has written a couple of very caring posts with great suggestions. I think also to try to work out what’s causing your mind to be constantly thinking negative..

I also struggle with sleeping at times, although I’m beginning to understand a little more of the impact sleep has on our mh....

Not sure if this will work for you but thought I would suggest it anyway....as it works for me...I like to put an instrumental on my phone with my earphones in and just listen to an instrument and follow that right through the music...(no vocals)...it seems to help me, a few of my favourites are weightless, Leo Rojas...listening to just one selected instrument keeps your thoughts on the music, and hopefully of your unhealthy thoughts....

I am learning so much about the importance of sleep and the effects it has on our mental health....

Zeffy, we have a thread called......”Sleep”...if you search “sleep”..and then have a read through it, there are heaps of great suggestions to try...

I really do hope that you can start getting some quality sleep...

Kind and caring thoughts..

Grandy...

[Skary Bill]

Hey Zeffy, I really hope you're not reading this because it's late.

Just wanted to share one of the more effective tools in my insomnia kit. Like you, sometimes I find it a struggle to switch off those thoughts of reality that inevitably leave me thinking rather than sleeping.

I've personally found some value in day dreaming when I go to bed. Concoct a completely fictional scenario that has no relation to or bearing on your real life.. And explore those thoughts instead. Obviously try to avoid negative thoughts. But just about anything that's not important will do.

Bill.