Stress Center Peer Support

does anyone have any suggestions? lately i have had to take Unisom every night so that my mind doesnt go a million miles per hour. i would rather not have to take something to get to sleep. i already have to take enough medication.

any suggestions and comments are appreciated!

Mary

I listen to a relaxation tape as part of my bedtime routine. Here are some other tips:

<A HREF="http://www.4women.gov/faq/insomnia.htm" TARGET=_blank>http://www.4women.gov/faq/insomnia.htm</A>

mary

I have some troubles too especially when life is so full of tension and stress....lots to worry and think about that gets in the way of sleeping for me.

I find these are some things that help to set the right mood for sleep. I keep my lights dim from after dinner on so that its more soothing.
I drink chamomile or sleepytime tea its decaffinated and the herbs in them promote calmness. I like to have a little snack before bed a bowl of unsugared cereal and drink the milk is a good protien/carb suggestion. I put on my pjs and wash my about 1/2 hour before Im ready for bed instead of right before that splash of water on my face always wakes me up. So when I put the pjs and wash my face I turn down my bed then go down and have my snack check the doors etc and then I go up and my bed is all ready for me to climb in.

I use the relaxation tape I put it on my radio so that I dont have headphones on and most times Im asleep before I even get through the muscle parts.

Hope this helps its what I do and although I still have some tough nights I think this makes it so that I dont have every night be tough.

Good luck
Dodger

Mary,
Dodger's suggestions of setting a routine really helps me also.
I often do a hot bath, a cup of hot milk, and I do not have a television in my bedroom.
I try not to watch tv before going to bed. It is too engaging for me.
Another thing that really slows down the racing thoughts for me is to picture flowers and plants in my head. As I picture them I name them. My thoughts drift away from them at times but I bring them back.
Sleep well,
Alison

If you are having sleep issues, please don't forget the following:
1. Cut out all caffeine, this is a must!
2. Don't eat sugar before bedtime, it 'fuels' anxiety.
3. Get plenty of exercise - exercise produces chemicals in your brain that relax you naturally and help you sleep. The more exercise you get, the better you will sleep.
4. Only use your bed for sleeping. Do not watch TV or do paperwork in bed. Your subconcise mind must be trained to only associate your bed with "sleep, deep gentle relaxing, sleep," (sex is the only exception).
5. Keep your bedroom dark and cool when sleeping. Quiet is good but if necessary use a sound soothing conditioner (white noise like a water fall). These can be very helpful if you have problems (like I do) with outside noises.
6. If needed, get a CD player and listen to some good ‘sleep hypnosis’ tapes. You can also listen to deep relaxation CDs. I often use Lucinda’s relax cd at night if I wake up.

Hope some of this helps you. Please know that people on this forum care about you.
God bless you and may you have a deep relaxing sleep tonight.

Is it common for people with anxiety to have trouble getting to sleep? I am new here, but have experienced anxiety/panic for 15 plus years as well as severe problems getting to sleep. I also find if I have more anxiety (i.e. more stress and activity) happening in my life, I can not sleep very well at all. It has been debilitating.

Are my sleep problems (or lack thereof) related to my anxiety? Any feedback would be appreciated.

Hi Letitgo,

I am new here too. I have been having trouble sleeping also, and have been finding it to be a big source of anxiety for me. It feels like a lost of control issue.

I can fall asleep, but sometimes only stay asleep for minutes, and this upsets me a lot. Then the worries and the what if's set in.

I believe the lack of sleep is related to anxities. We pump adrenaline into our bodies when we become upset. This sets off the fight or flight response, so the adrenaline makes us more alert to respond to the danger the body is perceiving.

Sharon