Forgotten how to fall asleep

[AlisonOrdnung]

I've completely forgotten how to switch off and fall asleep. Does anyone have any suggestions? I'm going mad with tiredness. I'm awful to live with and not the mummy I want to be. I'm lying awake worrying (which I think is partly caused by being so tired so it's a vicious circle) and waiting for DD to wake up to feed. I'm getting about three brokn hours a night. To add insult to injury I've got gastric flu now and still can't bloody sleep! I mean, really, you would expect some kip with flu?!

Lying awake worrying I have suggestions for. The best thing is to focus on something else, but something which doesn't engage your brain to keep you awake is hard to find. The images and suggestions you get in meditation often work well. I find the best kind for some reason are the ones where you think about going downwards, such as going down in an lift or I picture a waterfall turning into a river going down to the sea, or I imagine I am climbing down a long, long ladder. The feeling of going down or or falling seems to mimic the sensation of falling asleep and this usually works for me in the end.

It must be harder with flu though. It can be hard to sleep with a temperature, so I always take something to lower my temperature just before bed.