Thread: Having a Hard Time Getting To Sleep

I have this problem. Its called initial insomnia. Ive tried lots of things over the years. Medication being one of them and that is a bad pattern to fall into b/c it does not solve your problem. Medication is only a temp. solution that will turn one problem into something much bigger.

I have a technique that helps <98% of the time>.
While trying to go to sleep instead of focusing on the day and my worries I will think of the things I want dream about or even things that I want or need to happen in real life. As I see these images play out in my mind I will slowly but surely start to drift off to sleep. Although it still takes about half an hour of me of thinking out these scenarios before I do find sleep.

Give it try and let me know how it works out for you.

Originally posted by Remus
Recently, I've gotten into the pattern where I just cannot get to sleep. I start to think about something, like what happened during the day, or anything really, that just causes me to become basically unable to get to sleep. :/

Anyone have any recomendations for ways to get to sleep, where I wouldn't start to just lay there and think of things?

Hey Remus!!! Long time no see. Insomniacs Unite!

Yeah I do that alot. And I do pretty much what Starlite said. I have fantasy 'happy places' that are relaxing and fun (not TOO fun lol) that my mind goes to before I fall asleep. Sometimes it can take a while, but it's good practice I think. 90% or so success rate for me as well.

Good Luck!!

Hey Remus,
Check out this thread authored by PlayWithFire: What's on your mind when you are falling asleep. Several members posted their techniques for combating insomnia caused by the sort of over-active, wakeful mind which you're describing.

I sometimes have trouble falling asleep, but not as much since I bought a nice mattress. Usually, it is because I am really obscessed and thinking about what I want to do in my Lucid Dream. Last night I wasn't too obscessed, so fell asleep a bit quicker.

I tend to have that problem quite often as well. Unfortunately, I haven't found any techniques that work for me consistently -- other than medication. However, sometimes the thing where you concentrate on tensing and then relaxing each muscle in your body will help.

However, sometimes the thing where you concentrate on tensing and then relaxing each muscle in your body will help.
[/b]

hhmmm....Ive never heard of that one. I'll try it tonight though. Why do you suppose this helps Tygr??

Originally posted by Starlite
Why do you suppose this helps Tygr?

I think it's because it encourages you to eventually relax all your muscles. A lot of times I will think that I'm relaxed, but then discover that I am actually tensing some muscles -- very often in my face, but sometimes my legs also.

The usual method is to start with your toes, then feet, then legs -- just work your way up the body, tensing and then relaxing each set of muscles as you go.

You may want to try the 61-point technique as well:

http://www.dreamviews.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=10742

Thanks guys....i'll be giving it a whirl!!