It seems like most of the solutions proposed here are just temporary fixes. <p> Addressing the root cause (stress) would seem to me the way to go. <p> I realize you said you can't do much about the work or family stress, but you have to find something to do. Hiding the problem with alcohol, etc. isn't really going to help in the long run.
Do you exercise on a regular basis? I found when I don't exercise I feel sluggish and blah and don't sleep as well in general. Not sure if it would help you but I bet if you did a good work out at an air conditioned gym or hopped on a bicycle and went for a good long ride not only would you get some nice fresh air, cool breeze and, if you bike fast enough, no mosquito bites ;)
<blockquote><cite>Posted By: allstonj</cite>It seems like most of the solutions proposed here are just temporary fixes.<p>Addressing the root cause (stress) would seem to me the way to go.</p><p>I realize you said you can't do much about the work or family stress, but you have to find something to do. Hiding the problem with alcohol, etc. isn't really going to help in the long run.</p></blockquote>
Oh I absolutely agree. I've basically done everything I can about work and now it's just waiting on my higher-ups to take some action. The personal stuff was dealing with the sudden return of my grandmother's cancer and her death about a month ago. It's sort of taken a pretty heavy toll on my family and recovery has been slow.
The thing is that I'm trained to help other people through stuff like this, but I can't seem to help myself. But I'm doing everything I'm supposed to and trying to practice what I preach. I saw a counselor at school (UofW) for awhile but she said I basically had things under control and should just give myself time. If things don't get better soon I'll join a grief group or something. Problem is it's not just me, and my family members are not enthusiastic about getting professional help.
So I'm sort of at a loss for long-term fixes right now, perhaps I'd be able to sort it out better if I'd had some sleep. :)
Good for you for seeing a counselor, at least you know you're doing alright (well as alright as can be right now) and hopefully time will make it better.
<blockquote><cite>Posted By:DeanK</cite>" Light exhausts me, and I have higher awareness after dusk until dawn. "
so its not just me then? Man sunlight just drains me totally and completely.. to the point that an hour outside in the direct sun in the summer time and I am totally wiped. I talked to a doctor about it and he gave me pills for depression... umm yeah... those totally worked...
stupid doctors. </blockquote>
I don't know what he thought you had, but it's not necessarily that crazy. Anti-depressants are only called that because that's what they were engineered to do. They are widely becoming a new wonder drug that have beneficial effects in not just depression, but various muscle diseases, many psychiatric and psychologic conditions, migraines, ADD, etc. Kind of like aspirin; yes, it's a pain killer, but now we also know it inhibits blood clotting, prevents heart attacks, helps you lose weight, boosts your immune system and reduces inflammation too. I guess when in doubt, ask the doc to explain why he prescribed you those pills because there may have been a good reason.
AND, helps you to quit smoking! I took one when I first quit smoking 6 years ago. Worked incredibly well. And I felt great! But it has two well known side affects: a rash and insomnia. I got insomnia. After about five days use I simply could not sleep an entire night. I stopped taking it (Zyban I believe it was called) immediately and my normal sleeping habit returned almost immediately.
I was so anti drugs (especially the illegal kind) that when I started having sleep problems I was so frustrated, but after a year, I had to try something. I tried everything that my doc gave me. (Sleeping pills, anti-anxiety, anti-depressants, etc.) After a while I told my doctor that if he didn't figure out what was wrong with my sleep I was going to freak. I was getting so depressed by that point from lack of good sleep.
When my doctor told me that he couldn't do anything for me, and that I was just depressed, I started smoking pot. Not a lot, and never during the day or with people. I'd smoke just a very little bit before bed, and it helped me sleep better than anything ever had. But not 100%. NOW though, I've finally been diagnosed with Nocturnal Epilepsy and Severe Alpha Intrusion and am on the right kind of meds to help me sleep.
If you continue having a problem, see a sleep specialist. G.P.'s don't know enough about sleep issues and will give you every drug under the sun except the one you really need. I saw Dr. Holtby at the Northern LIghts Sleep clinic in Thunder Bay, and have slept so much better ever since.