To ask why cant I sleep?

[Nosleepandcranky]

I do sleep, just not enough. I can lay awake for hours trying to sleep, then when my alarm goes off in the morning, i am so tired, or I will drop off almost immediately, then either continuously wake through the night or wake at stupid o'clock in the morning, sometimes both. I never feel awake, I always feel tired, I think its due to sleep (or lack of) than my diet. I look forward to a lie in at the weekends but always wake early (This morning i woke at 6,45, earlier than i do in the week for work) i dont go on my phone once im in bed, and i do try and read but my eyes feel heavy, so think bingo...im going sleep, then ping, eyes wide open again! Any tips/advice please?

Nytol?

The heat disturbing sleep? I always get this if it’s hot, noisy or otherwise disruptive.

@imsconequeen I dont like the idea of using sleeping pills, Ive young kids and worry i wouldnt wake up if they were crying etc.

@MrSpock The hot weather isnt helping, but ive been like this for a while now, its wearing me out.

I take it occasionally and always wake up to son during night.....x

@Imsconequeen Really? Thats good to know, I always thought they knocked you out. Maybe its worth a try. Thanks

I’m like this at the moment, always had a problem with sleeping but at the moment I only manage 2-3 hours at a time and I don’t think I’m getting much deep sleep and I feel a bit rubbish.

I’m assuming it’s the heat right now but have also found exercising during the day helps so I’m going to bed really tired.

I get it sometimes too. This is going to sound weird but do you share a bed with your husband, boyfriend, partner etc?

I find I sleep so much better when he’s not throwing the quilt everywhere and flipping around disturbing me! If so, maybe ask him to spend a night in the spare room so you can get a decent nights sleep? Ive unashamedly done this lmao.

Sounds like low level stress might enjoy keeping you awake. Have you got deadlines to meet, lots of things in your to-do list, stuff to plan, etc? When I do, I end up going to bed late because I either plan in my head what I need to do, or I'm actually procrastinating and doing lots of other things (Netflix, reading, cleaning) when I know I should do my pending tasks. I usually wake up early if I'm worried I am going to oversleep, so again, if I have things to do but I know I'm tired and i might be at risk of oversleeping.

If this is the case, I'd suggest that you organise your tasks and plan so your subconscious knows that you are in control and don't have to finish the whole today. For example, setting only one or two important tasks for the day, two for the next, etc. Plan a week and feel more in control. Plan your rewards as well. I've been known to binge on a while Netflix series during nightime just because I had finished my deadline and felt I needed a reward / time for myself. As I rarely get any, I binge when I have the chance, in case I can't do it the following day, so I end up going to bed at silly o'clock. If I plan a couple of hours as me-time and I set realistic deadline for the week / month, I can relax much better and my sleep improves. Going to bed at exactly the same times helps too, as leaving the phone out of the bedroom (I end up browsing MN in the dark).

Do you think you are tense? Anything worrying you beyond the lack of sleep? I think you are worrying about the symptoms, instead of the causes, probably because your subconscious doesn't want to face whatever that is. I might be projecting, though

• enjoy = be what is I have no clue how the autocorrect did that

Try some melatonin or phenergan. You will still wake up if needed.

If you're worried about Nytol (the blue packet ones) try the herbal ones. (PP nothing wrong with your suggestion, just giving an alternative!).

I do know how you feel, OP, it's crap, and if it continues (or is already going on for ages), try either your GP (although they may just offer short term meds), or some form of relaxation therapy, or audio tapes (reveals age) - sorry, download a pod cast or similar. I listen to the radio (not music) through headphones, and it always gets me off to sleep. Ahhhh... the fishing forcast!

Good luck, hope you get some sleep soon, it's pants isn't?

Sorry if this is condescending but how much caffeine are you drinking? And when? What about alcohol? What are you eating for tea? How much exercise do you get?

There's a one a night nytol (50mg) or a (25mg) one.....why don't you try the smaller dose? The herbal ones didn't work for me but they might be worth a bash?

It's really really shit not having a good sleep x I hope things improve soon x

Try magnesium oil .
It is good pain killer too.

@Larrythecat Maybe I am a little stressed, I work, Its not a sit down job and always on my feet, (I average around 15000 steps a day) but it is boring, maybe I need something new to stimulate my mind?

@MrSpock, Nope, I sleep on my own, so have the whole bed to myself.maybe thats the problem

@MissesGeneHunt Im reluctant to go the doctors, they seem to quick to diagnose with depression or something similar, Im not depressed, im not unhappy, im just bloody tired lol. Your other ideas seem good though, may give some of them a go.

Thanks everyone, :)

This happens to me sometimes. I think you can get into a pattern when you're worried you won't sleep well and that makes you more likely to sleep badly! You say you don't go on your phone once you're in bed, what about the 30-60 mins before you get into bed? Best to keep that screen free too. Maybe a relaxing bath would help?

@Missclareremembers I drink tea throughout the day, maybe 4 cups, then have cold juice from teatime on wards, I dont drink in the house and dinner is a usual everyday meal, spag bol, chicken salad, bangers and mash. Maybe it is lack of excersize, I work school hours, usually get home around 4 after school run, then get on with tidying up, cooking dinner, ironing for next day, school lunches, by the time ive done everything its usually about 7pm, and i cant be bothered to do anything else lol

@Cherubfish, Maybe your right, maybe ive got in to a routine where, like you say, i know im not going to sleep so my body doesnt sleep. How can i change that?

I get this sometimes too. Have a baby who still wakes several times in the night for feeds so constantly under pressure to sleep.

Here’s some things to try if you haven’t already that work for me most of the time:

Lavender oil on pillow
Eye mask
Earplugs
White noise/rain sounds etc

Relaxation as PP suggested- there’s one I do where you focus on each part of your body and consciously relax it

Getting up after 30-45 mins if you’re still not asleep and reading the paper (not screens) for a bit

Listening to (but not watching) tv

You have my sympathies- not sleeping when exhausted is horrendous.

@Cottipus I like the idea of lavender oil, this is going to be a definate try, You're right though, no sleep is horrendous, if they used it as a form of torture, i would definately tell them everything they needed to know, and more probably lol. Hope things settle with your baby so you can sleep again soon

Are you perimenopausal by any chance?
If so HRT can help hugely with sleep.

@snog Im not sure, how would I know? I'm only 41

Are your periods any closer together than they used to be? That can be one of the first signs.

It's also possible to get a blood test at the GPs that can provide some indication.
I was peri meno from age 35 but also had a fairly early menopause at 48.

HRT has made a world of difference to my sleep and I wish I had started on it sooner. If I miss a pill by accident I always sleep badly that night. It particularly helps me with waking in the middle of the night or early morning as I generally don't struggle to fall asleep to start with.

I have also tried sleeping tablets but never found them to be much good whereas HRT really does the job, and no more hot flushes either

I don’t need HRT yet but my sleep goes to pot post ovulation. There could be a hormonal element to your problem.

Maybe: Try giving up caffeine for a bit (but do it gradually so you don't get withdrawal. Don't drink too much late evening otherwise you want to go to the loo. Download a sleep app or meditation app to your phone and let it put you to sleep - I use a stories one and it's great.

I gave up coffee after lunchtime and it has definitely helped with sleeping.