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

[Guest_1643]

I can relate to putting on and losing weight related to mental health and meds.

Thankfully my appointment was online so the Dr didn't fuss about weight, but I'm currently pretty healthy.

Just during pandemic living alone it does make it hard to eat well.

[Matchy69]

Hi sleepy yes trying to eat healthy and with most things during the pandemic is harder then usual.I really not on any meds at the moment for my mental health only just some for my physical health issues.The monitoring when I did the sleep test was interesting and did show I had sleep Apnea.

[Mum Chris]

Hi Sleepy and Croix

I set my tablets for night setting I’m not sure it helps but it’s gentler on my eyes and I dim them as much as possible but mainly so I don’t wake my husband.
A sleep specialist well maybe I need one of them. Never thought about that thanks for the suggestion.
Tonight I’m having arguments in my head. Persons in charge the ball and I’m upset. I’d say they burst the ball and let the air out. I’m on my own without protection and not even part of the loop. I’ve known for a while but had someone ask me a question about what was happening and I’d been trying to blank it out and it’s now rolling around my head.

So that’s what happens to me I sleep then wake and I get scared or tonight angry and I’m awake.
I was going to try my relaxation techniques but decided I was too angry and made a decaf tried to watch tv but volume too low. On the positive side I made it out of my room of a nighttime without being too scared. I really depend on my husband for safety. I’m trying to depend more on me and so scary things like have a coffee outside during the day when I’m home alone.
Boogy man at night is a big one for me I check the cameras and if the spotlights have been triggered.
I’m going to do my happy place relaxation and Psychologist said I can do it with eyes open.
Hopefully Goodnight.
MC

[Guest_1643]

Hi mum Chris,

The sleep specialist mentioned ppl fend fo sleep better with someone else there, animals included..

I really relate to being scared to leave Ur room

I grt scared to go into my bedroom, because of all the horrible associations with sleep.

I haven't managed to beat that, it's still just scary and too much to go in there. I am working on decluterring q bit.

I ordered two of those hanging storages from ikea....excited for them to come, might help me tackle the floordrobe

[Guest_1584]

l don't sleep well in my place when l'm the only one here either which is most of the time atm. it's just too damn big for one person.

l dunno how some of those rich people live in huge mansions alone , seems pointless even if they do have the money.

rx

[Guest_1643]

Same,

The sleep specialist mentioned its good to have others around we sleep better

But others can be animals too....maybe caring neighbours? All kinds of others

I am wholly alone and it doesn't feel Safe to sleep

[Guest_1584]

Yeah could well understand it especially for a woman.

My sister bought an old hall in the country , 1840 l think it is or about, pretty big too. She's alone in that , couldn't sleep in it myself. She does have a few dogs at least that'd help.

rx

[MaggieCudaninEbbinghaus]

My insomnia was resolved ever since I changed my dinner time from 7p.m into 3 p.m., and eating only 1 banana at 5p.m.

[missep123]

I really need to stop looking at my phone before bed, I think the blue-light impacts my quality of sleep!

[mmMekitty]

On my so&so iphone,I use the lock screen, without a password or anything so it's quick & easy to use again when I need, but I only don't actually lock it because I'm on my own, & no one has access to my phone. When I'm with more people I'd use a bit of security so no one could access it when I'm sleeping or if I leave it lying around.

Or if you don't mind the wait, simply turn it off overnight. Start it up when you wake. Any messages or calls you miss, you';; be notified about, or can check for yourself to see if anyone tried to contact you.

Of-course you do have to consider that either someone you know might want to contact you urgently, or you might need to call emergency yourself. & you can't do that if your phone is powered off.

I think, using the lock screen is best, so it goes dark until you touch the screen again. I tried the face recognition but it was unreliable in dim light, such as where you may be sleeping. Keying in a four-digit code is too slow. In any event, you can make a call to 000 if you need without unlocking the phone first.

Just press the right hand side button 5 (five) times, or simultaneously press both the right -hand button & one of the volume buttns on the left-hand side. Then the Emergency bar appears in the centre of the screen. Activate that to call 000.

I know that was a bit off topic, but it occured to me, while thinking about what to do do with the phone overnight, should the need arise, & you've thought to turn your phone off... no, I think, really it is best to leave it on, but in lock screen mode. Then, you won't see it unless you choose to.

Hope that's helpful.😸

*

I am also tempted to check what the time is, when I haven't gotten to sleep, or when I wake & it's still dark, or when there is a noisy neighbour & I think, if I want to make an official complaint, I want to tell them what time the noise woke me... I find it does not help me to know what time, how long I've tossed & turned - just makes me feel more frustrated. Lately I'm doing better at not finding out what the time is.

I know my sleep is erratic, so what does it matter?

If I'd had to get up for an appointment or if I had a job, I'd've been in trouble this morning! Tomorrow I do have to get up at a more reasonable time though, so I'd better not stay up too late tonight.

mmMekitty