How to cure insomnia?

[Syed1]

I suffer from acute insomnia (self diagnosis ) and it has come to the point that some days I cannot even function because I did not get enough sleep the night before.

When I was in my undergrad there was no set time to sleep or wake up and hence could not develop a fixed sleeping pattern, this was a cause of plenty of sleepless nights. The doctors said develop fixed sleeping pattern and all your sleeping troubles would be gone.

Now that I'm a working professional I generally hit the hay at the same time and get up at the same time, BUT, the sleeplessness still persists. Writing this thread today because I slept at 12am on Friday night and I'm up at 5am on a Saturday (even though my weekday alarm goes off 7:30).

The trouble is once I'm up, I'm up, and cannot go back to sleep no matter how much I try and its not like I'm not feeling sleepy. Infact my eyes would be bloodshot and burning for some sleep but mind won't shut off. I'm also a very light sleeper and cannot sleep without ear plugs. Sometimes I even wake up from my phone's vibration if I get a text in the middle of the night. Thanks to Andriod's superiority over a phone named after a fruit I can set my phone to go into "do not disturb" mode at a set time of day.



So any other people out there who also suffer from insomnia and have successfully managed it? P.S please don't suggest sleeping pills as that is a slippery slope and I don't want to get on it.

 

[Markhor]

Don't use your phone in bed - the blue light delays the release of the body's sleep hormone melatonin. Install a blue light filtering app or a red light app on your phone if you really need to use your phone at night. People being hooked to their phones or laptops at night is a big reason why insomnia is increasing.

Read a boring book, or any book for that matter.

Try not to work at least an hour before going to bed, you don't want your mind to be overstimulated as you want to be relaxed before sleeping.

 

[mani1]

I suffer from acute insomnia (self diagnosis ) and it has come to the point that some days I cannot even function because I did not get enough sleep the night before.

When I was in my undergrad there was no set time to sleep or wake up and hence could not develop a fixed sleeping pattern, this was a cause of plenty of sleepless nights. The doctors said develop fixed sleeping pattern and all your sleeping troubles would be gone.

Now that I'm a working professional I generally hit the hay at the same time and get up at the same time, BUT, the sleeplessness still persists. Writing this thread today because I slept at 12am on Friday night and I'm up at 5am on a Saturday (even though my weekday alarm goes off 7:30).

The trouble is once I'm up, I'm up, and cannot go back to sleep no matter how much I try and its not like I'm not feeling sleepy. Infact my eyes would be bloodshot and burning for some sleep but mind won't shut off. I'm also a very light sleeper and cannot sleep without ear plugs. Sometimes I even wake up from my phone's vibration if I get a text in the middle of the night. Thanks to Andriod's superiority over a phone named after a fruit I can set my phone to go into "do not disturb" mode at a set time of day.



So any other people out there who also suffer from insomnia and have successfully managed it? P.S please don't suggest sleeping pills as that is a slippery slope and I don't want to get on it.

Melatonin its over the counter in the US

 

[shaz619]

I tend to watch my favourite matches of Trish Stratus and Lita, they can help. Other then that, reading can help you big time and as [MENTION=53290]Markhor[/MENTION] said put your phone away and don't work an hour before you sleep, maybe 2-3 hours for engineers

 

[Mamoon]

I suffer from acute insomnia (self diagnosis ) and it has come to the point that some days I cannot even function because I did not get enough sleep the night before.

When I was in my undergrad there was no set time to sleep or wake up and hence could not develop a fixed sleeping pattern, this was a cause of plenty of sleepless nights. The doctors said develop fixed sleeping pattern and all your sleeping troubles would be gone.

Now that I'm a working professional I generally hit the hay at the same time and get up at the same time, BUT, the sleeplessness still persists. Writing this thread today because I slept at 12am on Friday night and I'm up at 5am on a Saturday (even though my weekday alarm goes off 7:30).

The trouble is once I'm up, I'm up, and cannot go back to sleep no matter how much I try and its not like I'm not feeling sleepy. Infact my eyes would be bloodshot and burning for some sleep but mind won't shut off. I'm also a very light sleeper and cannot sleep without ear plugs. Sometimes I even wake up from my phone's vibration if I get a text in the middle of the night. Thanks to Andriod's superiority over a phone named after a fruit I can set my phone to go into "do not disturb" mode at a set time of day.



So any other people out there who also suffer from insomnia and have successfully managed it? P.S please don't suggest sleeping pills as that is a slippery slope and I don't want to get on it.

iPhone has had the 'do not disturb' mode for years.

 

[Mamoon]

On a serious note, Melatonin half hour before bedtime should give you a good night's sleep.

Also the usual, avoid caffeine etc. at night.

 

[Madplayer]

Dont take medication unless its prescribed by your doctor.

My suggestion would be to work out in the evening. Try to lift a bit heavy if possible but in short, get tired. You will fall asleep easily later at night. Needless to say it has a multitude of other benefits as well.

 

[Hitman]

On a serious note, Melatonin half hour before bedtime should give you a good night's sleep.

Also the usual, avoid caffeine etc. at night.

My case is the same as the OP. I need to change my sleep cycle. Will Melatonin help me?

 

[WC-Passion]

Doing exercise before going to bed is good. Try not to eat much before you go to sleep and don't drinks with caffeine in them. There are apps to reduce the light or change the colour of the light coming from your phone that can help, but try to avoid using your phone completely before going to sleep. Reading books is an idea I agree with too, it worked for me.

 

[Pakistanian]

Work out at night before going to bed and drink some hot chocolate, should knock you out good.

Melatonin might be a solution but one of my friends that take it says he he has difficulty waking up in the morning and feels all groggy.

 

[sjahmed23]

Work out at night before going to bed and drink some hot chocolate, should knock you out good.

Melatonin might be a solution but one of my friends that take it says he he has difficulty waking up in the morning and feels all groggy.

Working out before going to bed does not help everyone. I did that a few times and could not sleep no matter how hard I tried.

When you cannot sleep and your mind is going different 50 places try to do meditation while trying to sleep. Focus on counting numbers or reciting something that keeps your mind from wandering.

 

[Pakistanian]

Another solution as any pakistani mama would suggest is to read the Quran, makes you instantly sleepy.

 

[Robert]

Insomnia is horrible. I had it for two years. Only weekdays to begin with but finally every night. My behaviour became erratic and I upset family members. I saw a psychotherapist a dozen times and he sorted me out. It only affects me occasionally now.

 

[msb314]

I suffer from acute insomnia (self diagnosis ) and it has come to the point that some days I cannot even function because I did not get enough sleep the night before.

When I was in my undergrad there was no set time to sleep or wake up and hence could not develop a fixed sleeping pattern, this was a cause of plenty of sleepless nights. The doctors said develop fixed sleeping pattern and all your sleeping troubles would be gone.

Now that I'm a working professional I generally hit the hay at the same time and get up at the same time, BUT, the sleeplessness still persists. Writing this thread today because I slept at 12am on Friday night and I'm up at 5am on a Saturday (even though my weekday alarm goes off 7:30).

The trouble is once I'm up, I'm up, and cannot go back to sleep no matter how much I try and its not like I'm not feeling sleepy. Infact my eyes would be bloodshot and burning for some sleep but mind won't shut off. I'm also a very light sleeper and cannot sleep without ear plugs. Sometimes I even wake up from my phone's vibration if I get a text in the middle of the night. Thanks to Andriod's superiority over a phone named after a fruit I can set my phone to go into "do not disturb" mode at a set time of day.



So any other people out there who also suffer from insomnia and have successfully managed it? P.S please don't suggest sleeping pills as that is a slippery slope and I don't want to get on it.

Bhai I would suggest 3 things:

1) Do exercise/workout at night - it will make you feel tired and muscles exhausted so you will fall asleep right away. Don't eat anything at night after coming back from working out - it will feel tempting but wait until the morning to eat something. Just drink water to rehydrate your self at night.

2) Warm Shower at night - take a hot shower at night (independent of whether you choose to exercise at night or not). Even if it just a body shower. Hot shower makes you sleepy!

3) Don't watch TV or use your computer/phone before going to sleep - it is tempting but something to avoid. Instead check your mail or take out your garbage or something like that. I think it helps.

 

[msb314]

Doing exercise before going to bed is good. Try not to eat much before you go to sleep and don't drinks with caffeine in them. There are apps to reduce the light or change the colour of the light coming from your phone that can help, but try to avoid using your phone completely before going to sleep. Reading books is an idea I agree with too, it worked for me.

Reading also puts strain on your eyes so I would avoid that too.

 

[Syed1]

Thanks for the information and advice guys.... ironically after posting this thread I dozed off for a bit


I do read "books" when I'm in bed but those books are being read on my phone which might be a cause of my shody sleep patterns.

 

[babajee]

Syed bhai

Doodh piyo, aik minute mai insomnia theek hojay ga.

 

[PetroDollars]

I'LL TELL YOU THE MIRACLE CURE FOR INSOMNIA

Raw Apple Cider Vinegar with the mother with raw honey, 1 table spoon each in hot water, make sure honey is real honey, pure and raw and not supermarket rubbish. YOU WILL SLEEP LIKE A BABY - GUARANTEED!

Also for supplements you can try magnesium with zinc - these seem to work well in making people fall asleep, try the supplement ZMA.

 

[Chrish]

Insomnia is horrible. I had it for two years. Only weekdays to begin with but finally every night. My behaviour became erratic and I upset family members. I saw a psychotherapist a dozen times and he sorted me out. It only affects me occasionally now.

Did he prescribe meds or was it behavioral modifications? Just curious.

 

[Robert]

Did he prescribe meds or was it behavioral modifications? Just curious.

I tried over the counter meds but they stopped working. Then my GP gave me stronger prescription drugs which helped but took me off them as they can be habit-forming. He referred me to the psychotherapist who helped me change my view of the world and approach to certain situations. I gained self-knowledge and started sleeping properly again. The moral of the story is that you have to get your mind under control, else it can sabotage you.

 

[CricketCartoons]

Chant this Vedic mantra along with deep and relaxed breathing.

Om Agasthi Shahina (Ōm Ah-gah -stee Shah-ee -nah)

Keep repeating till you fall asleep. Hare Krishna.

 

[Raja Sab]

Don't use your phone in bed - the blue light delays the release of the body's sleep hormone melatonin. Install a blue light filtering app or a red light app on your phone if you really need to use your phone at night. People being hooked to their phones or laptops at night is a big reason why insomnia is increasing.

Read a boring book, or any book for that matter.

Try not to work at least an hour before going to bed, you don't want your mind to be overstimulated as you want to be relaxed before sleeping.

its actually opposite for me, when I can't get to sleep I pull out my phone and watch a few instagram stories or youtube videos, sleep arrives almost instantly