Thread: Extreme Sleeplessness

I'm sensitive to noise, too, and have trouble sleeping if I can hear anything...traffic, dogs, etc. What's helped me are foam earplugs and a white noise machine. The earplugs are shaped like little cones. You squeeze it down, put it in you ear canal, and it expands to fill it in. The white noise machine took some time to get used to, but I love it now. It's about the size of a CD player and works like an air freshner. It sort of covers over any sounds and makes them blend into the back ground unless they're really loud. The machine produces a variety of ambient sounds: rain storm, tropical forest, heart beat (kind of creepy), waterfall, summer night, and plain white noise. I like the last one the best.

Valerian root is an over-the-counter herb treatment that is good for making you calmer. It comes in a tincture and caplet form. In the US, you can get it in pharmacy or health food store. Chamomile tea also is supposed to help the nerves, muscle spasms, and digestion. Applying essential oils of lavendar, sage, and frankincence to yourself or using them in your bath could be helpful in your situation.

Here are a couple of mental exercises that a friend taught me that might be helpful. Personally, the first one works better for me.

This one is really good and works like a countdown: You notice five sounds, five sensations, and five sights. Example: I hear the clock, the dog's breathing, the wind, a cricket, and a car horn; I feel the cool sheets, boyfriend's back, my itchy nose, my warm blanket, my silky PJs; I see the alarm clock, the dog's crate, the headboard, the night stand, and the drapes. Then you do the same for four sounds, sensations, and sights. On and on until you're down to one sound, sensation, and sight.

The other one is to imagine all of your troubles in a big box or barrel. Put them one by one into a jar and then screw the lid on the jar. Put the jar on a shelf.

Being without a partner can be pretty lonesome, but it's also an opportunity for you to focus on yourself, your career/school work, or other interests. Sometines you can find a great partner if you are out there doing the things that you love and enjoying yourself. Good luck!

Another thing that occurred to me: if you're also feeling terribly sad/guilty, having trouble eating, not enjoying your hobbies, etc., you should see your doctor for a depression screening. I'm not saying you have depression, but the disease can affect a person's sleep pretty badly.

First thing to do is get a window fan or a machine that makes several noises that will "noise over" the noises from upstairs. As our population gets larger and less polite, this is an increasing problem.

Many people with ear noise or neighbors learn to appreciate a fan. (Must not rattle). Also there are plastic (soft like gum) clear earplugs in pharmacy. Pull apart to fit ear and roll up. I have never had a problem with removing from ear, even with children.

Because your days and nights are mixed up, I can say you may try of using the patch available by derma sleep. I think their site name is dermasleep.com Apply a patch to the inner arm or upper body approximately 2-3 hours before bedtime. Wear the patch for 8-12 hours during sleep and remove immediately upon waking. Wash the area where worn thoroughly even using a small amount of rubbing alcohol to remove any adhesive residue. If you wish you may concern the doctor.

You indicate feeling lonely. Find a support group. A woman's support group or mixed for depressed people. Two things may happen you may discover depression, or you may see that you are not depressed. Also you will not be alone.

Another thing a friend I have does is go to poetry meetings in the evening.

Last, but not least, Say, "Thank you God, for moving out either myself or the people upstairs and give me a comfortable place that is quiet AND send me the partner that is perfect for me. Always thanking first as if it is already done.