how to stay alert after v little sleep - tips please..

[sunshinesallday]

Any tips? I've been awake since 2am. I just couldn't sleep, and at 5am decided I may as well get out of bed. how do I stay alert and awake for work today? Chocolate? is sugar going to help or make it worse? My eyes feel so tired, but I just couldn't drop off. I'm trying to focus on the priorities for the day, food, work, and pretty much everything else can wait (laundry, housework, phonecalls etc) but am filled with dread at the thought of how I'll make it till 5pm..

I’m the same, been awake a lot during the night. Will you be able to have a power nap during the day at all? I find sometimes just half an hour closing my eyes, even if I don’t actually drop off, can help.

Sugar makes it worse but I still find myself reaching for it because it's what I crave when sleep deprived!

Actually I tend to find the day immediately following the bad night is ok, it’s the day following that’s the bad one. So I’d recommend pushing through, don’t overdo the caffeine/sugar, and go to bed as early as reasonably possible tonight to make up for no sleep last night.

Insomnia sympathies, by the way - I’ve been awake since 4 with painful joints and am now up and breakfasted while DH and DS snore on!

Sugar is a bad idea - big highs and lows. Better to go for carbs as they sustain you without the rush. Break your to do list into manageable chunks of stuff that you can tick off to keep you going. Any chance of a quick shuteye over lunch?

Can you get out for some fresh air and a walk I always getting a little bit of exercise can help! Not easy I know
But definitely get an early night tonight xx

thank you for keeping me company!

I'll try to stay away from the delicious choc orange downstairs then...

today is already the day after, because last night (Saturday night...), I only managed about 4 hours. I was grumpy AF all day yesterday and was hoping last night would be normal again. Huge sympathies to insomniacs, this is new to me and I have no idea how you all cope on a regular basis..

I feel for you. Ive been riddled with Anxiety all night. Havnt managed a wink. I got up a couple of hours ago. Im going to ask to swap my shift for my day off. Could you do something similar?

I had terrible insomnia about 4 years ago. It took anti depressants and therapy to resolve but then ive been ok.
Ive had loads to deal with these last few weeks and thats clearly triggered me. But then my anxiety has kicked in panicking that i cant go thru that again.

I can't swap my work day, but hopefully it will be a quiet one as boss is away. my eyes feel like they can't stay open but my brain is going at full speed. I can get some fresh air later this afternoon. I just need to physically stay awake, and also not to be as snappy and grumpy as yesterday, even though I feel 10x worse. I really took it out on some close and v unwell relatives who are relying on me. I must try harder today! How do the insomniacs do this day in day out. I really feel for you all.

I have insomnia. I just cope, I have to. But I think I am just used to functioning on no sleep. I have never slept well but every now and then I have really bad periods of extremely poor sleep.

Last night I was still awake at 3am and was up just after 5 for work. I am OK at the moment but will feel it more as the day goes on. As soon as I am home from work I will shower and go to bed. After a very bad night I can sometimes sleep better the next night but not always.

Id say its normal to lose your temper, you are running on empty. Could you take some leave this week and try and rest?

Magnesium supplements helped too. I need to take some today 😩

Don’t dress too warm. Snack all day and don’t have a big lunch.

ooh, will dressing not too warm keep me more awake, in the same way as opening a car window if driving slightly tired?... good tip thank you. am guessing same logic re lunch..small salad it is then...
I can manage snacks all day no problem ;)

will try and find magnesium too.
I can't take any leave but work should be not too busy/stressful. just a case of biting my tongue all day really and holding back the tears which have been flooding since 3am ish because I've been getting into a bit of a state about it..

How old are you? Could it be perimenopause? I never had insomnia till then. Then I started regularly waking at night and being unable to go back to sleep. . HRT sorted it out though, and I sleep well again now.

I have insomnia (20+ years!) you just get used to surviving on little sleep.

If I am tired and at work I drink lots of water, eat little and often rather than big meals, walk around as much as possible and put on a big act of everyone and everything not pissing me off 😁

am adding to drink lots of water to my list. thank you.

def not menopause related. down to other stuff and will be ok in a few days, but I'm just struggling now.

such sympathies with anybody because I'm really feeling awful today and snapping at anybody for the smallest little thing!

I'm an insomnia veteran and shift worker, been awake since 0010 though didn't start work for another few hours.

In terms of staying awake, control your glucose even though your every instinct will be to go for sugar and easy carbs. I battle this so often but a proper balanced meal will be much better for you than chocolate and toast. Don't eat too much either. I've seen something online about the affects of glucose on blood sugar being magnified by fatigue, I don't know if it's true or not but anecdotally I find that very much the case for me.

If you can get up and move round every now and then that will help too.

Stay hydrated, watch your caffeine intake in terms of it affecting your sleep tonight.

The tears are a common side effect for me.

Wishing you a better sleep tonight.

@christmaspudding43 how did you know I've been eating chocolate and toast ;)

will try harder for supper.

The tears haven't stopped all day... I can't wait for tomorrow when I hope to feel better. I really feel for all of you who suffer regularly.. I wish I could help.