Not sleeping well is a very common side effect with SSRIs unfortunately. It definitely is the case with me. I had to weigh up what was worse, as others have said. If things are sufficiently difficult, that outweighs the side effects.
For me, the insomnia didn’t go away as my body adjusted, for others it does. So I took on me vs insomnia with a vengeance and in fact the things I do to help sleep are fab for mood and life in general.
Firstly I exercise myself to exhaustion! Exercise can be anything from stretching, going for a walk to hours at full crazy effort in the gym. Do as much as your body allows, literally I sleep well and daily when I exhaust myself. Plus smoking hot body and endorphins from moving and feeling proud of myself helped no end.
Get outside every day. Every day! This can be a short walk, a trip to the shop or sit in the garden for a cup of tea. It makes the difference. At first I didn’t care if I looked like crap, I just dragged myself out, everything came after that. The cup of tea in the garden, so literally just sitting but outside, it helps!
Self care, simple things, make yourself herbal tea before bed, sit and enjoy it, face mask, sit and enjoy it, it’s a self care routine that’s important, tells your body when to relax.
Melatonin supplements, wow I was surprised these helped, but they really do! Herbal and it’s the natural substance your body creates to tell your body and mind to sleep. Any pharmacy has it, really this was a game changer for me.
Most of all routine, routine, routine! Your body needs to know what the heck is going on. Go to bed and get up at the same time every day, every single day! My friends laugh or say oh but it’s only once when I say no thank you to being out after nine or awake after ten because I’m young, but not sleeping is no joke and I need the routine! Routine included a walk in the day, tea before bed, things like this. Make it for you and stick to it. Reading before sleeping is a good one, or make time for yourself to read during the day. Stay away from too much technology and especially before bed. Phone out of the bedroom, do it girl!
If you are not too sore yoga is also a miracle worker, I swear by it for sleep and for recovering in general, so if you can I definitely recommend. You don’t need any previous fitness or flexibility, it’s for absolutely everyone!
I understand the perfect health to chronic battles, same happened to me and it does get me down if I think about it. So I try not to and instead I do things that I wouldn’t have done otherwise had life been as expected. Fill your life with what I call my hippy crap lol:) Now I’m a Yogi who takes a walk and appreciates how beautiful the view is. I’m also proud of myself for “small” things, because they aren’t small! Youre doing well, be kind to yourself