Sleep anxiety !

Andy999 · ‎09-10-2021

Hey so i used to suffer a lot of sleep anxiety a few years back, this lasted quite some years, basically the more I’d try to push myself to sleep the harder it was.

it was always worse when I knew I had to be up early (ofcourse) but at the time of my life I didn’t have to be often.

It’s suddenly all kind of come rushing back to me, last night I was lucky to get maybe 2-3 hours sleep before I was up for work at 5am, and tonight it’s happening again. it’s really bothering me now because I’m up at 5am 6 days a week for work. what used to work for me best was just kind of telling myself I’ll close my eyes and rest it’s better then nothing, and it would work eventually, but I’m just pretty stuck atm. Nothing seems to be helping much and leading into sleep time I’m just thinking about it which definitely doesn’t help. I may notice myself dozing off at times because I am tired ! But I’ll like catch myself and Continuously keep myself awake. I’ve been through all the helping mechanisms, breathing techniques, meditation, turning of technology and so on, not having a lot of luck I just seem to have been sucked back into the cycle and yeh I just don’t know what to do, I work a physical job and have quite a bit of responsibility so I’m really worried about this happening again. I have a pretty structured sleep schedule and usually in the past I’ll get into bed, put Netflix on and im out like a light and before I know it I’m up at 5am ready for another day but now that falling asleeps on my mind it’s not that simple, anyway I see what the problem is but I can’t really work out how the break out of the viscous cycle so if anyone has any recommendations that would be great, thankyou !

Banksy92 · ‎12-10-2021

Hi Andy999,

Healthy sleep is so important for our wellbeing, it's understandable you're concerned by this. Sorry to hear you've had such struggles. It's honestly such a frustrating experience isn't it?

There are loads of great suggestions in this thread, so I won't repeat, but I definitely agree with the tips others have mentioned.

Do you read? This is also a great way to tire the eyes and unwind. I like light fiction before bed because it's easygoing. Another thing I've been doing recently is taking magnesium supplements, there are ones designed for sleep called L-theanine magnesium I like.

All the best, hope something here works for you.

mmMekitty · ‎12-10-2021

Before trying any supplement, vitamin, complimentary .. whatever, please consult your GP or qualified Pharmacist FIRST. Just because something says it's 'natural' does not mean there can be no harmful effects, especially if you are already taking other medications.

mmMekitty

Banksy92 · ‎15-10-2021

Great point mmmMeKitty, thank you for raising this - I certainly agree - always chat with your doctor.

Andy999 · ‎21-10-2021

Hey guys thanks a lot for reaching out and giving me all your tips on what works for you, sorry it’s taken a long time for me to reply I havnt been on here for a while because well I’ve been sleeping alright, not perfect but generally pretty good, I’m having one of those nights though tonight where I can’t quite drift off to sleep, sometimes it can just take a good night or two and and I’ll improve a lot because I’m not worrying about not being able to get to sleep throughout the day, but it does seem to always find its way back here and there. For myself I almost find myself reluctant to try some of these recommended techniques because I’ll beat myself up about it more if they don’t help and I’ll become more frustrated, silly right. I do have a pretty set sleep routine, I usually like to get into bed around 8-8:30 and start to relax watch some tv and eventually drift off, I just think it works best for me because it feels natural, it’s not forced I’m not trying to hard it’s just right.

I think what’s gotten to me tonight is me and a work partner have been planning to start our Own business for a little while now and today we made a big step towards that and it’s all really starting to feel serious now, I remember when I was having these sleep problems a couple weeks ago I would get really anxious thinking about how can I run a business if I can’t sleep how am I going to handle it ?! And I think making that big step with the business today brought back that fear about, like this is getting real now.

I do really want to look into the melatonin and see if that may help, maybe I’ll try the breathing techniques and turning off blue light and that stuff again but yeh In the past I havnt had much luck.

I will be seeing my GP again this week, he’s recommended trying some medication for my anxiety and I think it’s time I give something a go, I just want a break, I want to be my best again and not let this anxiety hold me back anymore. Thanks again guys!

Andy999 · ‎21-10-2021

An update because I don’t know what to do with myself lol, tonight’s just not my night I’ve tried turning the tv volume right down, turning the tv off, on, off I tried some breathing techniques, I’m just to restless now, I really try to not let it get the best of me at first but it just becomes to much, the scary thoughts of this becoming a vicious cycle and me not being able to sleep at all and not being able to work and the rest of that crap, I try to stay strong and keep myself together but this shit terrifies me, I’m supposed to be up in a couple hours for work, and I’ve just given up on trying to get to sleep, I’m pacing up and down in the kitchen I’m just fed up, I’m tired but my minds not complying. I think I’m just gonna jump on the PlayStation or do something because I’ve had enough of staring at the ceiling. Maybe I’m being over dramatic but I’m just sick of being this person, I feel so defeated. Sorry guys I’m not trying to be a sad sack I’m just sick of putting on this brave persona.

mmMekitty · ‎21-10-2021

Hi andy999,

It's good to hear from you. One thing to remember about any & all the things we might do to get a good night's sleep, regularly, is that none of these suggestions are guaranteed to work first time or every time. It is encouraging to note that you had some fairly good sleep recently.

You speak of your business venture with excitement, some anxiety, which is kin to fear, & that is natural. When any strong feelings keep us from sleeping, it is frustrating, & natural to want to control it. I get very cranky with myself, my environment, anything & everything going on, biggest to smallest, & doing that doesn't help me sleep. It just makes me laugh at myself. I think that's marginally better than beating up on myself. That's all it does, so I may as well accept the night is an uncomfortable night, & not insist on making it perfect for sleeping.

I remembered playing video games, how they could distract me all so VERY much, that I didn't go to sleep because I was still playing the video game at sunrise. But my mind had been diverted! For a while, though, when I did manage to turn it off, & go to bed, I would still be playing the game in my head, partly because I was playing puzzle games with pieces, which my mind could recreate & I could manipulate as when playing. I could drift off to sleep when I did that, because my mind was diverted into the continued gaming instead of those annoying thoughts. It felt strange & I wondered, like duh, 'am I playing video games too much?' but it was better than my thoughts & feelings chasing me all over my brain, making me feel persecuted & as if I was going crazy. A whole lot better than that. So, thinking that, I could then not criticize myself when the images of the game pieces appeared in my mind, & just see if I could play as honestly (no cheating, by deliberately changing what I was visualising to more useful pieces), as I could. Just let it happen, go with it and finally, relax & sleep.

I know, I would still prefer to go in, roll over & sleep, as easily as Mekitty had done.

But I am human, human brain & all, so what's the point of beating myself up for my natural human functions? We may as well quit that as a bad joke, as one which turns against us, you know. It only helps to lead us to having less sleep.

I hope your Doctor can help.

mmMekitty

Andy999 · ‎21-10-2021

Hey thanks for the reply you’re a legend, no I agree you’re 100% right these aren’t over night fixes and I do see how some of these methods can be really effective.

Yeeh you’re right, it is an exciting but anxious time, I’m confident with my work and In general I’m confident in myself but I’m anxious about my anxiety (e.g sleeping issues) getting in the way of me making the most of the opportunity ! I guess a lot of my anxiety is about my anxiety in general if that makes any sense haha.

i Used to experience that a lot myself actually actually haha, when spending hours on a game on my phone or the play station the game will play over and over in my head as I drift off, sometimes I will try to use this as a way to distract myself from anxious thoughts.

I do try not to beat myself up, maybe I do have to work harder then that, I’ve just always been very hard on myself.

BenlaDanny · ‎01-03-2023

It's great that you've tried various techniques like breathing exercises and meditation, but it's understandable that they may not be working for you right now.

Amberayz · ‎01-03-2023

Have you considered trying some relaxation techniques before bed, like taking a warm bath or drinking a calming tea? It might also be helpful to establish a wind-down routine before bed, like reading a book or listening to soothing music.

I hope some of these suggestions are helpful for you, and I wish you the best of luck in breaking out of this cycle.

Luckylukyno · ‎28-03-2023

Hi! I havent slept in 8 weeks and im scared im going to get a chronic illness or something. It is a lifelong thing and nothing can stop it. I have a high risk of dye*ng if i continue this lack of sleep but i just cant and im scared. I have had this for about 40 years and nothing has fixed it. I dont know what to do.