trouble sleeping

[pippibella]

Hello, recently I've had quite a bit of trouble getting to sleep. as soon as I close my eyes my brain starts thinking of everything that could possibly happen, like a fire, an intruder bursting through my door etc. It hasn't gotten much worse but it hasn't gotten better either. I do take melatonin but it doesn't seem to help. I stay up late worrying and I get very tired during the day, I get headaches a lot too from fatigue. I really just want to sleep I don't know what to do. Please help.

[Neha277]

Hi pip! I experience the same exact thing! Infact, I just posted about not getting sleep just a couple of hours ago. I hardly sleep at night and I usually fall asleep by around 6 am or so but for the past few days till today I’ve been up the whole night and not feeling sleepy even during the day! I feel tired and frustrated and I just want to sleep but I can’t. I’ve got anxiety so I overthink a whole lot too. And I’m on melatonin and it doesn’t help me. I’m going to go see my psychiatrist tomorrow and will talk to him. I will def update you

[Jeff1943]

pippibella, your exaggerated fear of things you know will never happen is caused by your over sensitised nervous system. When your nerves return to their normal peaceful state these irrational fears will pass.

I suggest that you stop fighting these fears. Fighting causes more stress and strain when in fact you need less. So stop fighting these troublesome thoughts and accept them for the time being. Accept them utterly and you stop pumping out the fear hormones that make and keep your nervous system sensitised.

So accept these irrational thoughts which are no threat to you and can do you no harm. It takes time to learn acceptance (for the time being) and practice but with success your nerves are able to rest and regain their normal tranquil state. This is the sure way to recover and with persistance and practice you will regain your peace of mind.

[Calm_mama]

pippibella, Jeff1943 knows exactly what he's talking about. Agree 100%

Also, on insomnia- a few things!!

1) it's completely harmless. Trust me, many years ago, I barely slept for 2 straight years and nothing bad happened. Sure I was tired and foggy, with headaches and other types of physical discomfort(and so, so anxious then, of course) but I am now quite fine and you will be too. Yes, I still have insomnia on a rare occasion, I still have things come up that worry me, but not sleeping doesn't bother me anymore. Because Insomnia is just an offshoot of anxiety, it responds beautifully to the same approach- acceptance. as Jeff said, don't fight the thoughts and don't fight it (insomnia) either. Learn to make something good of insomnia. Normalize it. Even learn to want it (oh good I have time for some things I've been putting off). Slowly but surely you'll start to sleep better. Definitely use this sleepless time to do other things. Get up out of bed- don't toss and turn trying to sleep. Instead, get out of bed and write letters, read a book, bake cookies, go work on a fun project- Doing something when you can't sleep will both help you ruminate less (you'll be doing things besides laying there tossing and turning and thinking and panicking) AND it will support the mindset you are working on adopting - "Oh I have so much on my mind and I can't sleep... Oh well, no biggie. I have brownies to make- here I go." Practice not fearing the thoughts and not fearing the insomnia and you will be on your way!

2) Even though insomnia is harmless - Sleep hygiene doesn't hurt sleep.org/articles/sleep-hy....

3) It's on the sleep hygiene list, but it bears repeating: Exercise! Hard, aerobic exercise, every day. When I had insomnia I started running. 25 years later, I still run. It's the absolute best medicine IMO for anxiety, panicky thoughts, ruminating, insomnia, and 10 million other things.

All the best-

[pippibella]

thanks guys! (: