What do you do when you can't sleep?

[Handcarthell]

Other than mooch about on here of course...

I can't concentrate on reading, it's too cold to sit downstairs and I'm restless and awake.

Lying thinking is a slippery slope.

How do you pass the time?

I need this answer too. I think lying in the dark just sets my mind racing. I mumsnet but know the light from my phone is not good for encouraging sleep. Someone at work suggested a sleeping tablet but I'm worried it's a slippery slope...
I'm planning to get up a bit earlier tomorrow to see if that makes a difference. I WFH so the lack of walking etc is having an impact I think. Either that or I'm 'at an age' sigh.

Read my kindle

Sometimes I listen to a podcast or some classical music, keeps my mind occupied so it doesn’t race while still being restful

Audio books

@wheretoyougonow

I need this answer too. I think lying in the dark just sets my mind racing. I mumsnet but know the light from my phone is not good for encouraging sleep. Someone at work suggested a sleeping tablet but I'm worried it's a slippery slope... I'm planning to get up a bit earlier tomorrow to see if that makes a difference. I WFH so the lack of walking etc is having an impact I think. Either that or I'm 'at an age' sigh.

I really feel I should try and get up earlier. It's not easy though when I can't nod off until the small hours ...

bell/bowl

Perfect Self

I try to remember specific places I've been in detail. Like a bedroom in a hotel on holiday ten years ago or the walk that I did to college everyday etc.

Mainly lie angrily in bed getting increasingly frustrated that I'm not asleep.

Then I worry for a while about things that will probably never happen.

Then I half plan to get up and do something useful, but feel too body-tired to bother.

Then I imagine meeting past-enemies and being stunning, charming and successful.

Google Matthew mcconaughay bedtime story (I think it’s called wonder). I never expected it to work but I was asleep before the story even started!

Also if you’re on mumsnet on an iPhone activate night mode- it removes some of the blue light and I found it made a difference.

About to put a podcast on. This time Fortunately because I've listened slept through all of Louis Theroux.
I put a timer on for 10 mins and I'll be asleep by the end. It's cured my insomnia! Actually I think getting a puppy and having to sleep beside it for weeks may have helped. Also makes DH fall asleep

I take a melatonin tablet which I bought out in the states last year. 30 minutes later and I'm zonked

I ruminate on every stupid thing I ever did or said over the years and blush in the dark. Going back to 1995 ffs. Earlier actually. Faffing on here reading shite. The thing that I find works once I consciously stop the ruminating and reading is lie comfortably and do some slow, deep breathing and imagine myself somewhere I love or write myself a script of being rescued from near-death by a handsome stranger like a lame mills and boon novel. Imagining myself unconscious and gravely injured, whilst being slim and beautiful and ever-so-mysterious as he scoops me up into his arms and takes me back to his cosy yet spacious cottage in the woods with a fire lit in the grate and possibly a dog dozing on the heart does the trick somehow

Usually watch something, read something, post on here, and get a cup of tea. Late night snack should make you sleepy.

Zopiclone ...amazing 😴

I listen to ASMR videos on YouTube

@Handcarthell

Other than mooch about on here of course...

I can't concentrate on reading, it's too cold to sit downstairs and I'm restless and awake.

Lying thinking is a slippery slope.

How do you pass the time?

I get up, switch on the news and have a cup of tea and a biscuit. Midnight isn't all that late. Maybe you aren't tired and are going to bed too early.

Following on from pp suggestion about iPhone night mode, android have 'bedtime mode' under the 'digital wellbeing' option in settings. DND is turned on and the screen changes to greyscale which is quite helpful for winding down.

I get up.
Make tea and toast.
Watch something obscure on tv with a big blanket round me.

Watch ASMR on YouTube. I’ve been doing it for years, long before it was a ‘thing’. I accidentally discovered that certain types of videos made me feel all tingly and relaxed, then eventually I’d nod off. QVC used to work the same way back in the day!

I listen to The Sleep Cove podcasts and I have an eye mask with built in Bluetooth ear phones so it’s completely dark and I’m not disturbing my DH. I bought them on Amazon for about £20 and they are revolutionary www.amazon.co.uk/Bluetooth-Headphone-LC-dolida-Sleeping-Handsfree/dp/B07C4B7187?tag=mumsnetforu03-21

I had to google asmr. @notangelinajolie yeah I've got a cup of tea and box of chocolates and am feeling quite relaxed after wrestling to get clean duvet cover put on clean duvet.

OP it does help just to get up briefly and do something if you're lying there fretting.

I stop trying. I go downstairs and usually make hot chocolate the go back to bed and put the tv on or read until my eyes start to drop. There is nothing worse than tossing and turning and having random thoughts pop up in your head.

I'm not watching this ASMR in case I fall asleep, I need to get up and wash face and brush teeth shortly!