Sleeping & Anxiety - seeking understanding.

peace♥seeker · Post by **peace♥seeker** » Tue Apr 14, 2009 1:09 am

Hello everyone! It has been quiet awhile since I've been here, for some reason I find it hard to come here but when I do I enjoy myself. Darn anticipitory anxiety lol

What brings me here today (when I SHOULD be sleeping) is I've been up for the last 90 minutes, I have been strugging since Janurary with sleep and anxiety, it's exhausting & I am trying so hard to overcome this. I woke up with a panic attack back in Jan. and since then this has been a struggle. I however have always found that I am most easily thrown into a panic attack or anxiety when I have just woken up, this typically happens in the middle of the night but sometimes in the early mornings too (ie: 5:30 am or so as an example.)

I know that part of this is probably habit, how I think and so forth ~ but I feel like some of it isn't, I know I am dealing with more hormones right now due to being pregnant but even when not pg this has been an issue in the past. I just don't understand why this is such a weak spot for me and I know, really, that I am the only one who can truly answer the why ~ but I guess some part of me feels there might be a chemical response to all of this too an explanation that might make more sense.

Does anyone have any thoughts or advice or experience with this? I guess I feel if I understood this better I would be better able to address it. Kind of like the whole adrenaline response, now that I undrestand how the release of adrenaline affects me when it does happen I can reason with myself as I work through it ~ I guess I'm applying the same logic to my current issue. If I just understood it better!

I am so tired and genuinely I thank anyone who might have the time to respond. Oh fwiw I bought the program back in November, I am now on week 8

Yes, I'm a bit slow lol

Julia

Ed114 · Post by **Ed114** » Tue Apr 14, 2009 3:26 am

Dear Julia,

Have you been using your relax tape? I finished the program 3 weeks ago and i found that i now know how to relax. I give full credit for this to the three relax sessions that i have been doing since i started the program back in December 2008. I also found that learning to relax is a key element in a normal sleep pattern. If you drink cafine, you should also try and get off of it. I remember not being able to sleep, and having to take sedatives to help me. i also had restless leg syndrome. that all whent away in a matter of months by doing those two things. You should also try not to obsess over trying to get to sleep, it only makes you stay up longer. I also use to do that. A suggestion, try listening to the relax tape over and over till you get sleepy!! I've heard that some have done that and found relief.

Bill

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Mon Apr 20, 2009 2:18 pm

The relaxation tape and learning how to breath are really important. Go online and check out certain herbs for insomnia. No after effects like sleeping pills.

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Thu Apr 23, 2009 7:06 am

I've had plenty of experience with early morning anxiety attacks. I found some good information on web sites explaining this condition. You may want to check some of them under early morning anxiety or nocturnal panic attacks. Some of the suggestions were to eat something as soon as you get up or eat something light before bed. Some of us are sensitive to the drop in blood sugar levels that happen during the night after not eating for several hours. Also- our adrenaline levels are at their peak in early hours of the morning so if we already have anxiety, or are going to bed filled with anxiety it may feel worse by 5:00AM.
I use the relaxation tape before going to sleep and try to rid my mind of any daily worries, eat as soon as I wake up (no sugar, or caffeine), move around by doing Tai Chi or going for a walk, and using the positive self talk we learned in the program. I also go over a list of positive statements before bed so that I go to sleep with positive thoughts, and not worrisome ones. This has all helped me a great deal and seldom now do I wake with any anxiety. I found that what I eat for dinner, what my thoughts are before bed, and how much exercise I got during the day made a very big difference in how much anxiety I had when I woke up the next morning.