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

[Croix]

Dear mb20lover~

Yes, just concentrating on the coloring can pall if just done by itself). I tend to combine two things, something relatively mindless (a coloring book is a good example) while listening to a hear a book or comedy at the same time. I find it works well, either by themselves would reveal my attention span could use some work too:)

Together they seem to mesh.

Croix

[Guest_4643]

I haven't listened to any Audiobooks or Podcasts, but sometimes when I colour in, I listen to music too.

Thanks for your suggestions and replies, I do appreciate them even if it doesn't seem like it.

[monkey_magic]

It's my turn to be a night-owl cuckoo....

It's just muggy tonight and I'm sweating all over and my back's in pain.

The heat isn't helping me and I'm feeling like life isn't fair being in pain. I just joined a gym and that's when this pain decided to flare up so I haven't even had a training session.

I'm also stressed and frustrated that my mum is still at the club playing poker machines as she's been there all day.

I don't like hot, muggy nights.

Ok, rant over.

[Croix]

Dear Ranting MM (wiht a wave to mb20lover)~

No the heat and humidity does not help in the least, it leaves one uncomfortable with abrasive clothes all by itself, combine that with back pain and it makes for a very miserable time

Do you have meds or some other way of soothing your back? I'm lucky as my GP is happy to give me the meds I need and at the same time I have an old Jason recliner that exactly supports my back as it needs, a wonderful thing to know one can get pain reduced to a manageable level.

True it is old cracked vinyl and would get sweaty too, however I cover it in 2 blankets to sit on and all is good. I'll have to get the vinyl replaced fro the third (I think) time soon.

Today went up to 34, but is now down almost cold, which helps. I tried aqua-therapy for the second time today after a long break. It was v hard, after 20 mins of a 45 min session I'd had it, and that was despite not doing most of the exercises.

Do you have a doctor to guide you though how best to exercise your back and how to avoid making things worse at your gym?

So why does your mum like the pokies? People have all sorts of reasons, I know you can get addicted even if always losing money, as it is the mechanism, not the win that attracts. Did she have enough to keep her entertained and occupied in her life so she did not feel the need? It sounds as if somethng might be missing.

I use the buffet restaurant for cheap meals in the casino but never have ever gambled, not even those cards on the table with the TV on the wall. Best time I had was watching a tribute to the Blues Brothers in their theater, it was great.

(You do not want to hear a walrus singing along with Rawhide:)

Hope the back settles down and the car is fixed cheaply.

Croix

[monkey_magic]

Life is a pain in my back! ( Deliberately pushes walrus out of his recliner in a desperate attempt for relief)
Oh, only joking, I could never do that.

I was very close to swallowing some pain relief but held off and managed some sleep. I used to see an osteopath who showed me some exercises and recommended yoga, which I have at my gym. I've also had cortisone ( ?) injections but they've worn off by now.

I think I just have to be patient and rest it. I would love to fix it though ( surgery) isn't out of the question.

Mum- I think she's lacking. Didn't have a good marriage, has a lung condition so struggles to breathe at times, been single 22 years, has a challenging job and at times difficult mother she cares for. I think pokies are her stress relief/ downtime.
I hate to think of how much she is losing. I'm sure the guilt and depression will lead her away from those machines eventually. The problem is when you've had huge wins like she has, you chase that high.

Me, on the other hand have been excellent at staying away for quite some time now. I don't even have that urge to go anymore.

I've got a 4wd so it's a little pricey to fix...I love it though so will spend the $$$ when I have it...buying it plus repairs is sending me broke though...but, theyre's always next paycheck!

I managed a few hours sleep and am feeling ok.

✨

[Mike_La]

hi (1st time) Not rambling that's what this is meant for, I know how you feel except that I like the tranquility of night, sleep is all over the place etc. makes it hard to get anything done as well as medical issues. what can you do at that time of being unwantingly awake ? I waste most of it but pick up book, draw, explore google, i drink so its a relaxing time (not excessively) too. I am looking for ways to change things so keep it up. mikeXL

[Croix]

Dear Mike La~

OK, being away at random times, or even on a more permanent basis, can seem to be a waste of one's precious life, not only with lack of sleep making daytime tasks that much harder, but it also seems to be a time when it is is impossible to accomplish anything worthwhile.

I have found that although all the above may be true it can have an unexpected and great side effect -self reward. When depressed or always anxious it is easy to regard oneself wihtout respect or appreciation. I was convinced I was a failure.

Over time I found having something that one enjoys doing each day has benefits, not only the enjoyment of the activity, but also over time a feeling that grows that this time devoted to one's own personal enjoyment can make one feel more worthy, more entitled to enjoyment and time to oneself. A more significant person in a world of demanding others

I personally user reading, and if it is at night time deliberately choose books that do not over-stimulate. A crime novel with lots of gunfights is out, a romance with gentle people is in.

It is probably my age that makes me reach for books, perhaps you have other things you could use -

What do you think?

Croix

[Guest_4643]

Hey Mike La, hi to everyone else.

Welcome Mike. I'm sorry to hear you struggle with sleeping also. I've hated the dark ever since I was a kid, it scares me. I know that sounds stupid saying it's scary but it's true.

What I usually do is just channel surf the TV (not that there's really anything on late in the morning/night, especially on Digital TV which I have in my bedroom), listen to music, try to find funny videos and memes, watch music stuff like music videos etc, browse through here, browse through websites I find, play my colour by numbers app or wordsearch app on my iPad. I'm not really a reading person.

I wish I could draw but I have no artistic talent whatsoever.

[Croix]

Dear Mb20lover and everyone else in the same boat~

It can often be hard to settle into one thing, a video, a set of music tracks, a game, painting or whatever. I find if I use the free smartphone app called Smiling Mind first for a few minutes it settles me down and allows me to enjoy just the one thing right through, rather than skipping all over the place. A more relaxing way of being.

It takes little practice and patience however even the 5 minute introductory scan works surprisingly well. I've the concentration span of a gnat, but can find the one out of many that gives me guidance frequently enough to work.

https://www.smilingmind.com.au/

Hope this helps

Croix

[Rynn]

Hi All,

just wondering if anyone was around?