Jeez, Ottoman, I guess I'm not the only one having sleeping troubles! Just last night I was up to at least 4:00 AM trying to go under! I'm sure you know that feeling, unfortunately...
I feel like I've tried everything, and my results have varied, and nothing seems to work 100%. I can tell what has worked most often for me.
Sleep schedule is important for me. Do you often find it easier to sleep in the day? If you've gone/go to a school or university, do you find your head bobbing in class on the verge of sleep? I do, and the only solution thus far is something that sucks. I try to stay awake for as many days as I can, usually 2, before I just have to lay down one night, sleep or not. it usually works THAT very night, but ceases soon after. I've found that if I do this horrible exercise for about a week, that I finally get back into a "rythm" of falling asleep at night. I'm a severe insomniac I think, and I often get sleepless nights still with this practice. It does work , though, at least for one night.
I've tried exercise; I don't care what some books say, I need to exercise RIGHT before I try to sleep in order to benefit. Daily exercise, no matter the intensity, seems to do nothing unless it tires me out ON THE SPOT. That being said, it really does help me at least to do anything tiring right before bed. Unfortunately, what seems to work best is doing something I HATE in order to make me really want to stop, such as running, and then go to sleep. This also works, though exercise at 10:00 PM is difficult for some if at all possible.
Pills... I woudn't recommend them. They don't really work anyways, unless you're already a good sleeper. Maybe prescripition pills would work, but only for a while, they'd wear out shortly and you'd be addicted. Pills are really not worth it. Plus, if you want to lucid dream, the pills are gonna hurt your chances even more.
Sleeping positions; a tough one. This might sound strange, but what semi-works for me is laying in an UNCOMFORTABLE position for as long as I can, and when I really can't anymore I'll move. Often the relief from this ritual can cause me to be more relaxed, and keep the position I'm in comfortable for a longer period. However, what seems to be both our problems is that staying in one position just never works long enough to fall asleep. Nobody said this would be easy...
Sleep is personal, so position/environment of the bed is truly different for everybody. I've had success with making the room totally dark. It's hard sometimes to do this, but I find it a must. Sound is important; snoring and creaking, ticking of clocks, and heaters/ACs can drive me mad. A fan doesn't tend to bother me, though, and the wind it creates really helps on some nights, so give it a try. (I'm sure you have, lol) As for walls, do you like or hate closed spaces? I would go with the one you like, if you can. I really haven't had much experience with this one.
Finally, I have a method which is really desperate, but worth a shot... Try sleeping in a vehicle. I've always fell asleep instantly in cars with the heater on, especially if somebody is driving the vehicle while you're in the passenger seat. No, I wouldn't try sleeping at the wheel...
Now, before somebody says that I've been dreaming that I'm awake, which can be the case for some insomniacs, I've on several occasions recorded the time every 15 min to make sure I was awake. In my case I was.
|
|
Bookmarks