Night Owls (for those awake late and can't sleep)

[Croix]

Dear All
The purpose of this thread is as a meeting point for those that can’t sleep and it is late (I.E. AFTER midnight.)

It can be a useful space for users to share their issues with insomnia as well as coping strategies. It can also be a general space for users to converse and support one another throughout a difficult night.

Please note – for those that are just bored or lonely we already have a place - the BB Café, which I recommend instead of here

https://www.beyondblue.org.au/get-support/online-forums/bb-social-zone/the-bb-cafe

Croix

[Harpbird]

Oh me too , power naps only work when ya don’t want then to . Not when ya need them.

[fred4761]

Hi everyone, just to jump in on the conversation . . . I used to stress about not functioning well after a terrible sleep but then one day I went through and made a list of all the times I had a poor sleep but still got through the next day. Every time I have been able to function well enough to get by. I never fell asleep at work or had any disastrous side effects other than being a bit tired and grumpy. That realisation instantly took away some of the fear and worry I have when I can’t sleep. Lockdowns and working from home and remote learning are keeping me up tonight. Laid in bed for a long time before I remembered about this night owl thread so I am up on the computer. I actually feel better after visiting - it’s nice to be reminded that other people have sleep problems too. I might head back to bed!

[Guest_1055]

Thanks for your reply the other night rx.

[Lillylane]

Hi Fred,

I thought about what you said and I found that the next day (after one very poor night’s sleep) I was actually fine at work.

When I got home though I was pretty grumpy 🙂

Thanks for sharing your experiences.

Lillylane

[quirkywords]

I have learnt to live with little sleep for many decades so that is normal for me. I am not sure I would cope with a good nights sleep.

[TheLastSlice_ofBread]

I’m not sure what this is but I find having a sleep routine has helped me a lot.

for me this is a shower followed by stretching and counting while stretching.

Listening to rain sounds from a device that has no screen light and not too loud if really has been helpful

a friend has also told me to only use my bed and bedroom for sleeping.
not to watch movies or complete work to help the brain keep the bedroom and bed and a sleep space only.

I also have a little water and magnesium mix drink before bed.

im not sure if you have tried these things but all of them have really helped me.

[Guest_1643]

sounds good, thanks for sharing

i like to watch about twenty minutes of a show before bed, have a hot drink etc

my anxiety makes it nearly impossible to sleep sometimes. i had a rough night last night, having some issues with family atm that were difficult

today i messaged that person that i need space and hope i can feel better soon. it's hard to rest with deep anxiety, and for me it can take over at times.

i have taken medication in the short term and also sleep okay when i go to hospital, but that's a very controlled environment

i don't take medication long term and melatonin also stops working after a bit... so it's just me and my thoughts....

[quirkywords]

I think routines work for some and I have tried nearly all, the bed for sleep only, stretching, routine before sleep, any herbs, tea, magnesium, massage, lavender pillow etc etc,

I like reading new routines or ideas andI try ones I have not tried but have not found any that work for me.

I can my mind open to trying new routines.

[Lillylane]

Awake again!

I’m lucky really - this sort of sleeplessness doesn’t happen every night for me.

Somehow I ended up listening to music but maybe my choices were off because now I feel like dancing. An irresistible beat is not so helpful right now.

I better work on a sleep-suitable playlist.

[Harpbird]

Wide awake, had such a busy day and thought I’d sleep some tonight, but not looking good