Waking up at 4 or 5am and anxiety

[Sorrytodisturbyou0]

Anyone else seem to have a brain transplant in the middle of the night? I’m usually a good sleeper but for the past week most nights I’ve woken up at anything from 4 to 5am, tossed and turned, wondered if I need the loo, decide to go to the loo, get back in bed and BAM. Every single worry I’ve ever had and just huge shame and over analysis of things I’ve done in the past, running over work stuff in my mind, just brain (and heart) racing in general.

Logically I think this might be as my self care has been really off the last 10 days or so, I fell off the wagon with dry january and haven’t been exercising, I’ve just felt in a slump.

Do I hold the answer myself do you think - just better self care during the day and perhaps stop drinking again (I haven’t been drinking a lot and definitely not Xmas level!) or is there something else going on?

I literally feel like I’m losing my mind.

I wouldn’t be able to sleep at 10.00pm even if I made it to bed by then. I’ve frequently woken at 04.00 or 05.00 for the last 2 years which I think is menopause related ( not currently helped by lack of exercise ). No one ever mentions it but masturbation is a pretty good way to get back to sleep and doesn’t give you a “ hangover” like sleep remedies do.

Yes to perimenopause. It's a bugger quite honestly.

I fall asleep easily, 9pm and I'm struggling to stay awake. 4am and I'm bright and breezy (although grumpy). I've tried sleeping tablets, meditation, alcohol free... you name it.

If I could move my sleep pattern by 2 hours I'd be delighted. I've tried staying awake (until 11pm over a week) and all that happened was that I was a grouchy bitch for a week.

Ooh love the recommendation for a weighted blanket...they sound lovely.

In bed with book and hoping to be asleep by 11ish. Cracked and had one glass of red with a bowl of pasta earlier. Hopefully that’s not enough to disrupt my sleep

I don’t want to de-rail this thread, but as there’s been a fair bit of talk on peri-menopause....

Bleeding today....cycle day 23!! Usually like clockwork 28/29 days with potential spotting a couple of days before. Zero chance I’m pregnant. Is this another potential sign of peri (and also a potential sign of why my sleep and anxiety have been off the scale this week...hormones??!)

@Sorrytodisturbyou0. shorter cycles is a sign of peri.as is sleep disturbance and increased anxiety.

@Sorrytodisturbyou0

I don’t want to de-rail this thread, but as there’s been a fair bit of talk on peri-menopause....

Bleeding today....cycle day 23!! Usually like clockwork 28/29 days with potential spotting a couple of days before. Zero chance I’m pregnant. Is this another potential sign of peri (and also a potential sign of why my sleep and anxiety have been off the scale this week...hormones??!)

Yep.

I’m having some odd sleep issues myself but not the same pattern. I don’t feel tired at all so am staying up till about 2 or 3 am. I then fall asleep quickly and wake around 9am sometimes a little after so I’m getting at least 6 hours it’s just out of my usual pattern which is usually midnight till 7. The sleep just doesn’t leave me feeling so refreshed.

Another weighted blanket recommender here! Mine is 9kg and was about £30 in Dec from Amazon and has really helped with nighttime restlessness. My husband hated it so I have it folded at the middle of the bed and just covering my side.

I think they are good for anxiety in general but take a little getting used to.

I’ve bought some valerian root tablets from Holland and Barrett. Not sure whether they work straight away or whether they need to build up - pack says take 3 times a day. Any experience?

I’m afraid Valerian gives me an awful headache, so I don’t take it.

I’m on day 3 of Magnesium. Does that take a while to build up?

My one is not going to sleep until 4/5am.

I'll go to bed, feel really sleepy. Switch the light off, and bam the thoughts hit in. The later it gets the more I worry about not being able to sleep and whatever the issue is.

@Witchend ooooh, I know this one well! My current trend is one night of good sleep, one night of shit sleep. Don't think lockdown is helping at all! I don't think I am tired enough!!! Miss my walking commute!