Stress / Sleeping

[Quootiepie]

Hiya,
The last week or so ive be very very tired, but too stressed to sleep... when I wake at say 7 or 8am, im shattered but have to plow on, but come 8pm onwards I feel wide awake. Ive tried going to bed, but get myself so worked up, so have to get up. Each night its been getting ridiculous - 2am, 3am... the other night 7am for a few hours (DH took DS in the morning). What can I do to relieve stress? I cant really take much medication due to breastfeeding (was taking sleeping pills a year or so ago).

Sorry if this isnt the right topic, wasnt sure whether to put in sleep, feeling depressed or here.

Hi Quootiepie! I would suggest all the normal things like hot bath before bed and a hot milky drink, lavender oil on your pillow, all of which help you sleep. St John's Wort helps some people with depression/stress, but affects medication and I don't know if you can take it if you're b/f.

When do you go to Relate? That might help...

DH is getting his councilling first - they cancelled last minute tonight though, so its next Monday. We will see how that works out, then go to relate xxx

The thing is, I get very very het up - its like my body is being pumped with adrenalin and my hands start shaking

bump x

You and everyone else, Quootiepie. Just had a massive argument with my roomshare at work because I "dared" to ask him to cover me on Friday whilst I was at home miscarrying. I was so angry I had to run along the road to get rid of some of the energy, jumped up and down in the middle of the street (like a little child!!) when I was telling dh about it and had to consume 2 large southern comforts and coke in quick succession.

Getting shaky and emotional is the normal reaction to a stressful situation. You will never avoid it, unfortunately, but counselling might show you coping mechanisms. I have gone through patches where I have hardly slept because of stress or even had night terrors which is not much fun. You have to remember that it is a patch you are going through and it won't last forever. Not much help at the time, I know, but it will get better!!

On the sleep front, may i share a sleeping technique that sometimes helps?
When you shut your eyes to sleep actually picture all the thoughts that are running through your mind going away, and picture a large white ball.. kind of like a tunnel, but as large as you can. Then concentrate on trying to make it smaller and smaller, into a little white dot in the distance. Dont rush it, take lots of time, if you get distracted half way through then start again. The dot should never disappear, if it does, your rushing things. I was told this technique by someone who used to meditate, and 9 times out of 10 it works for me Hope this works for you.

Massage/ aromatherapy really works. I know it is expensive - if you were anywhere near me (north london) i would offer to help. If you have a local college that trains massage therapists you could offer to be a "practice body@ for the students. Sounds bizarre I know, but I took on a nursing student as one of my case studies. She was incredibly stressed and suffering from irritable bowel syndrome, had suffered 3 family bereavements and was about to be chucked off her course. She had six treatments (which I wrote up, anonymously, for my exam) and she felt so much better, it was amazing.

I am sorry if I have put my foot in it or anything - I don't know anything about your personal circumstances, so hope this isn't totally innappropriate. I know how it feels to be so tired you can't sleep.

oh Mump {{hugs}}

Thanks for all the tips, ill give them all a go

Thanks for the offer of massage, but North London is a wee bit far... I might have a look in the yellow pages though