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1. • CommentAuthorbree9643
   • CommentTimeJun 25th 2008

    
   Help. I haven't slept more than 2 hours in 3 days and I'm the type of person who desperately needs her 8 hours at minimum in order to function as a decent human being. On the bus today there was a guy with a dent in his head and I could not make myself stop staring and then I started to hallucinate it was growing.
   
   I started having sleep problems a few months ago when some family and work stress came up, and since then I haven;t slept a wink on any Sunday night, even when I don't have to work the Monday. There's something odd about Sundays. And this week I haven't really slept any other night either. There's not much I can really do to get rid of the family or work stuff, especially on so little sleep so...
   
   What techniques do you guys use when you can't sleep? I've tried warm milk, herbal teas, counting sheep. The only thing that seems to work actually is taking a Benadryl but I'm not sure I want to make a habit of it.
2. • CommentAuthorDeanK
   • CommentTimeJun 25th 2008

    
   Try staying awake on purpose.. that almost always does it for most people.
3. • CommentAuthorEastSider
   • CommentTimeJun 25th 2008

    
   I keep a Pierre Berton book (the Last Spike) on my nightstand, when I can't sleep I pick it up and start reading one of the dullest books of all time, in minutes I start feeling sleepy! It might work for you too, choose a dull book to read.
4. •  
     CommentAuthorStBPegger
   • CommentTimeJun 25th 2008

    
   I have a jar of lavendar essential oil that I open and the scent puts me right into a deep sleep. Great stuff! Worked for a friend who had troubles sleeping as well. The only challenge is trying to find the stuff. Last time I found it was one of the nurseries south on St.Mary's.
5. • CommentAuthorFreakyGirl
   • CommentTimeJun 25th 2008

    
   do you have extended health? if this sleep problem happens to you every so often i would go see a naturopath about it. i would also See a massage therapist and any other specialist who may be able to HElp.
   
   sorry about the caps/lowercase, my keyboard sticks - i have an xo in case anyone knows what THat IS
6. • CommentAuthorbree9643
   • CommentTimeJun 25th 2008

    
   Great suggestions. I'll give them a shot, except for the massage only because I'm crazy ticklish and therefore can't have people touching me.
7. • CommentAuthorDeanK
   • CommentTimeJun 25th 2008

    
   Melatonin...(or just have sex)
8. •  
     CommentAuthorMaxed
   • CommentTimeJun 25th 2008

    
   1 - Sex.
   
   2 - Physical exhaustion. Find some physically taxing tasks, and do them hard and fast. They keep your mind off the issues you have, and drain any excess energy.
   
   3 - No caffeine of any type through out the day.
   
   4 - Never lay down until you are ready to sleep. Meaning sit on the couch, don't lay down.
9. •  
     CommentAuthorzander
   • CommentTimeJun 25th 2008 edited

    
   (adding to Maxed's good comments)<p>
   
   5 - Keep your sleeping area as cool and quiet as possible (tough this time of year but try anyways)<p>
   
   6 - No alcohol within two hours of trying to get to sleep <p>
   
   7 - Don't toss and turn. If you can't sleep after 20-30 minutes, get up and read a book or do something else to keep your mind occupied.<p>
   
   This site has some good tips too: <a href=http://www.well.com/~mick/insomnia/>Insomnia? 41 Simple Tips to Help You Get to Sleep<a>
10. • CommentAuthorbree9643
    • CommentTimeJun 25th 2008 edited

     

    Posted By: Maxed
    
    3 - No caffeine of any type through out the day.

    
    
    Great suggestions, and I appreciate them, but this one actually pains me to read at the moment. Caffeine is the only things keeping me alive right now! (Perhaps I'll wait until the weekend to give this one a shot) :)
    
    PS Have tried the sex one guys and it does the opposite of putting me to sleep ;)
11. •  
      CommentAuthorzander
    • CommentTimeJun 25th 2008

     
    I'm a fellow caffeine addict and also have lots of trouble with sleep. I find that as long as I don't have caffeine after noon, I'm usually fine.
12. •  
      CommentAuthorJimmytufish
    • CommentTimeJun 25th 2008

     
    For me...I watch CPAC's Jurisprudence...usually after half an hour I'm nodding off.
    
    http://www.cpac.ca/forms/index.asp?dsp=template&act=view3§ion_id=770&template_id=185&lang=e
13. • CommentAuthorbree9643
    • CommentTimeJun 25th 2008 edited

     
    I'm usually not a caffeine addict but it's become something of a necessity lately. I just finished a slurpee and so no more for me today I guess. *shiver*
    
    And Jimmy, that does look boring.
14. •  
      CommentAuthorGoth_chic
    • CommentTimeJun 25th 2008

     
    If nothing else works...try seeing your dr. There are sleep aids that are non-habit forming. My Dad takes them once in a while and they work.
    
    A warm bath before bed does the trick for me....have you tried that?
15. • CommentAuthorDeanK
    • CommentTimeJun 25th 2008

     
    "PS Have tried the sex one guys and it does the opposite of putting me to sleep ;) "
    
    You must be doing something wrong... keep trying until you get it right...

    Thankful People: Maxed
16. •  
      CommentAuthorGoth_chic
    • CommentTimeJun 25th 2008

     

    Posted By: DeanK"PS Have tried the sex one guys and it does the opposite of putting me to sleep ;) "
    
    You must be doing something wrong... keep trying until you get it right...

    
    
    LOL...hmmm I would expect that statement from J2F. Is he rubbing off on you Dean?
17. • CommentAuthorDeanK
    • CommentTimeJun 25th 2008

     
    "Is he rubbing off on you Dean? "
    
    ewww.... and um no :)
18. •  
      CommentAuthorJimmytufish
    • CommentTimeJun 25th 2008

     
    *coffee spew* LOL
19. •  
      CommentAuthorStBPegger
    • CommentTimeJun 25th 2008

     

    Posted By: DeanK"Is he rubbing off on you Dean? "
    
    ewww.... and um no :)

    That's not what you said in the stadium thread LOL
20. •  
      CommentAuthorconceitedjerk
    • CommentTimeJun 25th 2008

     

    Posted By: zander6 - No alcohol within two hours of trying to get to sleep

    
    
    Interesting...
    
    When I was going through my sleepless period last summer (family member attempting suicide, failed relationship, job- and financial- related stress, etc), I found that two or three shots of bourbon, just before turning in, really helped me to sleep.
    
    Your mileage may vary, of course...
    
    If you don't want to go that route, I agree with Freakygirl and Goth_chic - consult with a specialist.