Rationalizing my insomnia and trying to get better

[jonsnuh]

My last issue that I'm having is my insomnia. I haven't figured out whether it is psychological, but I may have figured it out having just come out a warm shower.

 

I am starting to think it may be two-fold:

One, I have grown a habit of staying up past 12 and into the mornings. I enjoy the calm and not the noise pollution that comes with the morning. I am also free to do what I want at the moment.

 

The second reason is not as optimistic. It could very well be an extension of my coping from my ex and reality. I may have thought I had convinced I was happy being away on a trip for a week, but coming back I have only been brought down to my knees with my obligations, worries and the cards that I've been dealt with once again.

 

My theory for the second is that I do not want to dream, but to consider that the time I am experiencing is a dream in itself. I could be still trying to run away from my life, and not having accepted it.

 

Could it very well be that I want that reset, that 'Try Again' that video games tend to have? That second chance? There are no second chances. I have to accept this, and use willpower to overcome this. Maybe using melatonin will help, and to wean off it once I've regulated my sleeping patterns?

[Els]

One of the things I learned, from spending most of my life battling against insomnia - is that some things you just can't do via sheer willpower. In fact, the harder you 'try', the worse it gets...

 

Try the melatonin, and try just not thinking about sleep too much IMO. I get the best results with that. That's easier said than done though.

[thefooloftheyear]

A hard day at the gym(or whatever your exercise of choice) will put just about anyone to sleep...And you will have the added benefit of looking and feeling better..

 

.02

 

TFY

[Els]

A hard day at the gym(or whatever your exercise of choice) will put just about anyone to sleep...And you will have the added benefit of looking and feeling better..

 

.02

 

TFY

 

When I do this, I inevitably collapse as soon as I get home and wake up a few hours later at 11pm hungry, physically tired, dirty, and having stained all my sheets with sweat...

 

But most importantly, NOT sleepy anymore.

 

(It might hopefully help the OP though, if he has the willpower to stay awake til the right time... )

Edited June 15, 2014 by Elswyth

[jonsnuh]

A hard day at the gym(or whatever your exercise of choice) will put just about anyone to sleep...And you will have the added benefit of looking and feeling better..

 

.02

 

TFY

 

Strangely enough, I have worked out this past week until right before midnight. When I get home, I'm ravenous so I make myself a protein shake, some veggies and some carbs. I don't feel tired, in fact I feel ready to do something. My endorphins are surging and although my muscles and I feel sore, I'm not ready to go to sleep. My brain is pumped and engaged.

 

Elswyth, melatonin might be the answer. Like with many meds, I don't want to end up depending on it. I might just have to avoid going on the computer at all and just jump in bed.

 

I feel sorry for my next SO if this persists. A night of physical activity is only going to make me feel even more pumped. I feel she might not keep up with me, resulting in our demise. Reason we broke up? Lack of sleep LOL.

[Els]

Elswyth, melatonin might be the answer. Like with many meds, I don't want to end up depending on it. I might just have to avoid going on the computer at all and just jump in bed.

 

It's highly unlikely that you'd end up dependent on melatonin; its mechanism of action is different from most other sleep-inducing meds, and it isn't even really a 'sleep inducing medicine' technically (which is why the govt doesn't fund it here). However it also might be a lot of expense for potentially little gain - it doesn't work at all for me.

 

You could try avoiding the computer, yes. As well as anything that contains caffeine (incl. chocolate and soft drinks). Read up a bit on sleep hygiene and helpful habits. I'm a bit jaded because I've literally gone down those lists and none of them worked, but it might work better for you.

[jonsnuh]

It's highly unlikely that you'd end up dependent on melatonin; its mechanism of action is different from most other sleep-inducing meds, and it isn't even really a 'sleep inducing medicine' technically (which is why the govt doesn't fund it here). However it also might be a lot of expense for potentially little gain - it doesn't work at all for me.

 

You could try avoiding the computer, yes. As well as anything that contains caffeine (incl. chocolate and soft drinks). Read up a bit on sleep hygiene and helpful habits. I'm a bit jaded because I've literally gone down those lists and none of them worked, but it might work better for you.

 

Oh, I don't drink anything with caffeine anymore. Starbucks and Timmies lost a huge customer after I finished school this summer.