I can’t sleep.
Published 1 year, 5 months ago in My life.
I get no more than three hours a night, sometimes less, and it’s doing me harm.
The good dead Beatle put it best I think: “It’s three weeks, I’m going insane’’.
Except it’s three months, and the edges are definitely fraying.
I’m so tired.
Where might I find a little peace of mind?
20 Responses to “I can’t sleep. ”
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You poor thing. I suffer from bouts of insomnia mainly because I’m a worrier and tend to go over and over things in my head until I can’t switch off.
Here are some things I do.
Try no telly or computer for an hour before you go to bed.
Definitely no coffee or tea in the evenings.
I read for at least half an hour in bed every night- a novel preferably - nothing to stimulating.
I have started going to bed early. I aim for about 9:30 - It’s not terribly sociable but it is worth it if you are that tired. If you have more time in bed there is less pressure on you to get enough sleep before you have to get up again, if you know what I mean. It works for me.
Awhile back my fella posted an unbeatable hot chocolate recipe. We have a cup around nine o’clock and it really helps in the relaxation department. I have reposted it below for you - even if it doesn’t put you to sleep it really is sensational!
Good luck Fossil
HOT CHOCOLATE
You need four things: Quality milk ie. preferably Organic
Cocoa rich block of chocolate. I use Lindt 85%. Even
better an organic one but it gets a little expensive.
A few drops of Vanilla Essence
A teaspoon or two of Rapadura Sugar. This is essential
and you can get it at Health and Organic shops. It’s simply dried sugar cane
juice with no refining whatsoever. It tastes a cross between fudge and
something like raisins and makes chocolate even more chocolatey.
For one medium mug, break off two squares and melt them in the warming
milk with the vanilla and rapadura sugar. Don’t bring it to the boil but get
it nice and hot because it also releases a tiny bit of starch from the sugar
that ever so slightly thickens the milk, giving it a lovely luxurious quality.
I use my bamix but a hand whisk will be fine and beat it for say, 10 or 15 seconds before pouring it foaming, into a waiting mug.
Incidentally, the sugar will cost about $6 but obviously is enough for a ton
of hot chocolates and there’s a minimum of 5 drink’s worth in a 100g
block of Lindt 85% - probably 7.
You simply cannot argue with this being the finest, most satisfying hot
chocolate you’ll ever taste. It’s not that it’s decadent, it’s just that when
life can be so full of crap on so many levels, this simple drink will make
you feel like your taste buds are having a conversation with your soul.
I sympathise one and all- even though it is just the two of you.
I am exactly in the same boat as goldie. I am not a nervous or anxious person, but my brain just does not turn off. So, as a result, i stir in the early morning thinking about the next venture, or ways in which i could improve this or that.
I have tried all manner of tricks. Hot choc, warm milk, no tele, read a book, thing is, i just dont turn off.
Even when out, i am listening to whoever, but i am also mulling stuff over. Hhhhhmh, very interested in a cure for this malady.
will stay tuned.
cheerio
sweet dreams
shadowmaster
Can you go onto night shift? Are you trying too hard? You are a man, sometimes you will suffer with this event, so you need to do something with it… jump on the couch/ spare bed. Go to bed very early and don’t go to bed overtired. Get out and go for a run/walk 5 kilometres after tea,
reverse your diet and have a small meal in the evening!
A change can resolve these issues… you just have to find the right one.
Me too, it’s driving me crazy, I’ll be okay for a while then it’s back to eyes wide open.
I’ve thought of taking up grog or asking the Doc for something to knock me out ‘cos I’ve tried lots of other stuff.
Trouble is that when I finally go off I can’t wake up, every morning the kids are yelling at me to get out of bed and lately they only seem to make it to school just before the bell.
I wonder how much sleep deprivation before you go insane?
Perhaps we should jobshare - I can’t stay awake !
I hate to endorse drugs and violence but they have always worked for me !
seriously , sleeping tablets…
to get you back in line…
and if the doc doesnt want to give em to you , tell em you are going on an OS flight and need them for that …
Golden, love your work. Can’t testify to the sleep inducing qualities of the hot chocolate but it’s DELICIOUS!!!! And that’s a watered-down version. I only had 60 per cent cocoa chocolate and raw sugar on hand. Do you know of any late-night organic delis in the eastern suburbs? I can’t wait. Will probably stay up all night thinking about it.
Thanks for feedback and suggestions folks. Will revisit the nook in the wee hours perhaps.
See you then.
Sleep well.
I could lend you some of my molecular biology lecture notes… they never fail in putting me to sleep.
Seriously though, taking afternoon naps could be helpful… some people get sleepier in the afternoon than at night (it could be because night is when everything is “happening”, i.e. dinner, TV, people home from work, school etc). The problem is that then it’s harder to sleep at night, but still, sleep is sleep.
:) Good luck
Hey Fossil - don’ know about late night, but Alain, my partner (author of best hot chocolate ever) works at Organically Grown on Glenferrie Rd Malvern. He is there pretty much all the time except Sundays and he is there until 7:00 on thursday and friday nights. He knows a scary amount about good food and nutrition and is an absolutely sensational cook. He can help you with any product in the shop and talk you through just about anything you would like to make.
If you do go in - make sure you let him know you are a Nooker and he will take especial care of you.
THIS IS NEAR AND DEAR TO MY HEART, SO I WILL SHOUT AMONGST YOUR REPLIES
meinrosebud
Jun 20th, 2007 at 8:20 am
Can you go onto night shift?
DID NIGHT SHIFT ONCE, NEVER AGAIN.
Are you trying too hard? You are a man, sometimes you will suffer with this event, so you need to do something with it… jump on the couch/ spare bed.
YEP, HAVE TO LEARN THAT I AM ALLOWED TO MAKE MISTAKES, OR BE AVERAGE- IS STILL A WORK IN PROGRESS.
I HAVE CHANGED MY ROUTINE MANY TIMES, AND I HAVE ALWAYS HAD MY LARGEST MEAL AT LUNCH, IT MAKES SENSE TO ALLOW THE DAYS ROUTINE TO IMPACT ON YOUR METABOLIC RATE AND METABOLISM. OBVIOUSLY, YOU BURN MORE OFF IF YOU ARE ACTIVE DURING THE DAY.
Go to bed very early and don’t go to bed overtired. Get out and go for a run/walk 5 kilometres after tea,
reverse your diet and have a small meal in the evening!
YEP I HAVE DONE THIS, AND YEP, THESHADOW LOVES MIDNIGHT WALKS.
A change can resolve these issues… you just have to find the right one.
THANKS FOR THE INPUT, BUT AM STILL LOOKING FOR THE RIGHT ANSWER. BAGS UNDER THE EYES- YOU BETCHYA.
4 vivavoce
Jun 20th, 2007 at 8:48 am
Me too, it’s driving me crazy, I’ll be okay for a while then it’s back to eyes wide open.
I’ve thought of taking up grog or asking the Doc for something to knock me out ‘cos I’ve tried lots of other stuff.
TRIED THE GROG, BUT NO REAL AFFECT. KNOCK OUT PILLS- TOO MUCH OF A CONTROL FREAK FOR THAT.
Trouble is that when I finally go off I can’t wake up, every morning the kids are yelling at me to get out of bed and lately they only seem to make it to school just before the bell.
SADLY, I STILL WAKE UP AT 7.30AM AND I JUST CANT STAY IN BED. EVEN WHEN LADY DIANA IS WITH ME, BUT SHE TENDS TO STAY IN BED TILL ABOUT 11 /12 ON HER DAYS OFF. NOT MUCH FUN…
I wonder how much sleep deprivation before you go insane?
ANOTHER CONCERN, AND A VERY VALID ONE. FOR ME, IT IS A MATTER OF NOT TURNING OFF. THE BRAIN GOING NON STOP. YEAH, HOW MUCH CAN ONE BRAIN TAKE HE HE HE HE
5 hannahsgranpa
Jun 20th, 2007 at 8:57 am
Perhaps we should jobshare - I can’t stay awake !
HOW ARE YOU AT WRITING, PHOTOGRAPHY, SINGING IN A BAND, MARKETING, PUBLIC RELATIONS, ADVERTISING… THE LIST GOES ON.
6 hoppity
Jun 20th, 2007 at 9:28 am
I hate to endorse drugs and violence but they have always worked for me !
seriously , sleeping tablets…
to get you back in line…
SAID BEFORE (YOU WERENT TO KNOW) TOO MUCH OF A CONTROL FREAK.
and if the doc doesnt want to give em to you ,
MY DOC ACCEPTS MY OPINIONS. HE KNOWS I AM PROBABLY MORE UP TO DATE THAN HE. I TEND TO RESEARCH BIG TIME. JUST ASK LADY CHAOS WHAT A SMART !@#$ I AM.
tell em you are going on an OS flight and need them for that …
THANKYOU FOR YOUR INPUT.
7 fossil
Jun 20th, 2007 at 12:27 pm
Golden, love your work. Can’t testify to the sleep inducing qualities of the hot chocolate but it’s DELICIOUS!!!! And that’s a watered-down version. I only had 60 per cent cocoa chocolate and raw sugar on hand. Do you know of any late-night organic delis in the eastern suburbs? I can’t wait. Will probably stay up all night thinking about it.
UPPER FERNTREE GULLY HAS AN ORGANIC CAFE AND DELI JUST UP FROM THE ROYAL HOTEL, WHICH IS JUST UP FROM THE MAXI FOODS SUPERMARKET.
Thanks for feedback and suggestions folks. Will revisit the nook in the wee hours perhaps.
See you then.
Sleep well.
8 Lady Chaos
Jun 20th, 2007 at 12:37 pm
I could lend you some of my molecular biology lecture notes… they never fail in putting me to sleep.
SOUNDS INVITING, BUT I WOULD HAVE TO UNDERSTAND WHAT WAS GOING DOWN BEFORE I COULD PUT IT DOWN. TOO MUCH STIMULATION.
Seriously though, taking afternoon naps could be helpful… some people get sleepier in the afternoon than at night (it could be because night is when everything is “happening”, i.e. dinner, TV, people home from work, school etc). The problem is that then it’s harder to sleep at night, but still, sleep is sleep.
NAH, TOO BUSY TO STOP.
BUT ONCE AGAIN, THANKS FOR THE INPUT.
:) Good luck
9 golden1
Jun 20th, 2007 at 11:02 pm
Hey Fossil - don’ know about late night, but Alain, my partner (author of best hot chocolate ever) works at Organically Grown on Glenferrie Rd Malvern. He is there pretty much all the time except Sundays and he is there until 7:00 on thursday and friday nights. He knows a scary amount about good food and nutrition and is an absolutely sensational cook. He can help you with any product in the shop and talk you through just about anything you would like to make.
If you do go in - make sure you let him know you are a Nooker and he will take especial care of you.
WHAT A NICE PAIR OF NOOKERS YOU ARE - AND THAT IS NOT MEANT TO BE RUDE…
CHEERIO
SHADOWMASTER
WEll, I dont have a problem, but I’ve copied down that chocie drink recipe, thanks Golden! I empathise with you- what a problem. you must be so tired all the time.
Years ago my P.E teacher, taught us a sleep meditation. You lay on your right side with your right knee drawn up and right arm above your head. Your left leg is extended straight down and you left arm is down by your side. Then you begin by chanting to yourself, ” relax toes, relax toes, then when you feel they are relaxed, you think ” relax heals, relax heals. Dont go ahead to the next body part unless you feel the previous part relax. then you slowly make it up the body- dont skip any parts. It works for me, If I cant nod off, I always do this. Taught my kids how to get in ” sleep position” and put themselves of to sleep. I cant remember ever making it to my shoulders. Hope you try it and it works. If not maybe you could try some yoga breathing.
Have tried yoga, meditation and relaxation techniques very similar to the one you describe winni. I’ve tried hypnotic music and soothing relaxation tapes. All have been interesting and mostly relaxing but none have helped me sleep.
I’ve tried brisk evening walks and long sessions on the exercise bike before turning in. I’ve tried hot baths, hot showers, lavender under my pillow and a dose of valerian one hour before bed. My bedtime schedule is as regular as possible with a flexible-hours job and two small children.
I don’t watch night-time TV.
I’ve tried reading a variety of things from schlock horror and Lord of the Rings-type fantasy to Orwell’s essays and Churchill’s History of the English Speaking Peoples to art books and National Geographic magazines. Lady Chaos even inspired me to drag out my old animal physiology and genetics texts. I’m well read, but I still can’t sleep.
Beer and spirits make me sick, wine gives me a frightful headache and dope just makes me dopey.
Now I’ve tried Goldy’s hot choc. Tasty, very tasty, but not sleep inducing.
Hurrumph!!!
Fossil. Poor you, maybe you should hire yourself out to the teaching hospitals as a rare specimen !
Never did finish Stephen Kings book Insomnia, so cant even tell you what that guy did in the end.. Glib comments must give you the s*&%#s, Sorry.
Someone must be able to help you. ?
There are various sleep clinics around, but the problem there is, you are monitored overnight during your sleep time, but you are wired up to that many electrodes etc, that- if you have trouble sleeping, you just dont sleep with that sort of interference.
Perhaps we should investigate surgery to remove the bags under the eyes…
cheerio
sweet dreams all
shadowmaster
Wow Fossil - I think I have been censored.
I left a comment this morning diagnosing (very accurately I believe) your long term ailment.
Your above mentioned symptoms, plus the fact that you left no comment under Viva’s “I love Garlic” post leads me to the conclusion that you are a vampire.
For complete accuracy, check for your reflection in any shiny surface.
Sadly there is no cure, however Alain recommends organic clove oil for your gums.
I checked my reflection Goldy and judging by the bags under my eyes and the perpetually furrowed brow I believe it was I staring back. I am also fond of garlic and have no fear of religious symbols. I do like my meat rare but non-human.
Not that any of this discounts the possibility of vampirism.
I read somewhere that a vampire may not enter his victim’s home/ place of work unless first invited.
What number Glenferrie Rd did you say Alain worked?
Organically Grown - 190 Glenferrie rd Malvern.
1. Off-load. Get things off your chest, address all those lingering issues
2. Pray
Thanks Goldy, I shall visit soon.
Righto envi I will.
My brother dropped by this evening with his COW of a partner. He’d leant me a power tool some months ago and they came to collect it. (My wife and I both recall that he gave it to me, but there you go). Apparently it had a piece missing (a small piece, I reckon about 50 cents from Bunnings). His partner, lets call her COW, went on and on and *&$^ing on about how it wouldn’t work now and we’ll have to buy another one now, well we won’t get that job done now. Well &^%^&*!!! kill me.
They’d just come back from some *&^%$*ing overseas trip and COW also went on about buying a new and no doubt expensive camera and I felt like punching her in her BOVINE face and telling her to buy a new *&%&ing 50 cent clip and shut the *^%^*&U(&^&*&^*(^&*&&*&* up!!
Apparently COW suffers chronic pain and my wife, bless her cotton socks, said “maybe she’s in pain'’.
Well you’d hope so!!!!
Thanks envi, that was good.
PS - forgot to pray.
please god don’t let my brother and his COW of a partner see this post. And can I please have a few hours shut-eye.
ta.
see you in heaven. Please. God.
Thanks,
Foss.