Stress Center Peer Support

So the last 2-3 weeks, it seems like I always wake up anywhere from 3-5am, and then can't get back to sleep. I've never had this problem stick with me for so long.

I'm trying to tell myself that I just need to accept the fact that I'll probably wake up and not go back to sleep, and not try to fight it so much, and eventually my body will just sleep. Well, easier said than done. Last night, it all happened again, and I just felt out of control. Lucinda says on one of the tapes "when you are tired, your body will sleep". But I just don't feel like I'm getting the sleep I need anymore.

I'm not interested in meds. Any other advice??? I'm also wondering if this is just my body's way of distracting me from something I don't want to deal with???

Hi Crave,

I don't know what is normal for you, but if you crash early at night you're sure to rise early. Maybe you have some unfinished business either private or at work that is stirring you from your sleep, but it sounds to me that you are not getting a restful night of sleep.

I found a wonderful web site with nothing but relaxation music and it is all free. <A HREF="http://www.shirleycason.com/" TARGET=_blank>Music</A>

Maybe, if prior to your going to sleep for the night, you listened to this music and performed the relaxation techniques on the tape, you might get a more restful night of sleep. It is just a suggestion, I am going to try this because I do not get good sleep at all.

I do turn in early and I wake up every 1-2 hours all night long this goes on. I am in constant lower back pain and if my bed doesn't self adjust, I have a self adjusting air mattress (SAT) with a temperpedic topper, and if you can't get a good night sleep on this bed it is not possible on any bed. So I am going to try listening to this music for at least 30 minutes before I turn in.

BTW, my whole day is filled with lower back pain, and leg weakness, that walking more than 50 feet at a time is a chore for me.

I am out on disability, and spend my day, switching from sitting to walking to reclining and then back to sitting, and can not do any one of these things for more than 15-30 minutes at a time, but I am working on these things. I just have to keep moving and changing positions.

I do use a WII for exercise about 3 times a day. I got the back to life passive decompression machine, I use a tens unit and receive therapy using several different things. However, I fear taking pain killers because of contra-indications with my blood pressure meds and so I have to tough things out.

I know it is crazy, but this has been my life for nearly the past year and improvement seems very far off.

Damn! I remember when I was younger and I had it going on. It seems it was just "Yesterday"

Hope the music help both of us get more relaxed and a good night's sleep.

Here's the link again: <A HREF="http://www.shirleycason.com/" TARGET=_blank>Relaxation Music</A>

Crave,

You're trying too hard to figure out "why" you're not sleeping. Overanalyzing it because you're uneasy is compounding it.
Try:
So what if you don't sleep well tonight?
So what? You've been sleeping crappy lately so you know how to handle a tired day.
When I change my thoughts about sleep in that way, it takes off the pressure.
Also, you're probably getting more sleep than you realize. We always make it worse by the way we describe it in our heads and out loud. Try not to talk to others about how badly you're sleeping; that makes it worse, too.
Those helped me with sleeping troubles and now I don't worry about it because I know I can handle it if it bothers me again anytime soon.
Journaling is always good, like you said you've done. You know what you've learned. That blanket of anxiety has just been thrown on top of you for a bit. You're still underneath and just as strong as before. Sensitized minds make things seem a lot worse than they are.
Hope that helps.

You have to break the cycle. Do something different when you wake up.

So if you wake up and end up getting out of bed and reading, stay in bed.

If you usually stay in bed tossing and turning, wake up and make yourself some Sleepy Time tea.

If you usually turn on the light, leave it off. In fact, if you don't have a small night light in your bathroom, I suggest putting one in there so you aren't messing your brain up by turning on a light if you get up to use the bathroom.

Also there's a products called "Calm Now" it's a magnesium powder you put in warm water. It helps to relax you and help you fall asleep.

Hi Crave!
I don't know any answers but sure can sympathize.
I have had problems getting enough sleep for years. And years.
Nothing helps much.
I hope you find a cure.
I do think that calcium and magnesium help more than anything.
I wish you best results with this problem.
Mary Jane

Cal-Mag helps me too. I wasn't sure if that was just for us ladies. I take one pill in the middle of the day and another right before bed. It is supposed to slow down your thoughts and smooth out your muscles. . .works great!