So… Sleep Issues

[LadyN]

Help. It’s been 3 days of me not being able to sleep at my normal time (10:30 pm)

I’ve been going to sleep at 2 am and for some people this sounds pathetic but as a person who usually doesn’t have sleep issues and has a consistent sleep schedule, this sucks. So…

Any sleep tips? Or does everyone here stay up all night?

[CommanderMarty]

My sleep schedule is all over the place and from what I know, I have no sleeping issues.

[Random_Guy]

Sometimes I have serious sleep issues myself.
First and foremost the best thing to do is just... try spending half an hour outside every day. I know it sounds weird but the sunlight creates a chemical that helps regulate the sleep cycle.

Beyond that, there is also melatonin supplements you can pick up at, like, any grocery store, but I'd try the going outside thing first.

[Snickerdoodles]

Well, what have you been doing differently? Do you have a sleep routine that you're disrupted somehow?

[LadyN]

@Sir_Snickerdoodles I mean I have been working a little bit harder on other stuff than I usually do.

@Enigma_the_Slimy_Boi Good idea but spending time outside when it’s 100 degrees outside? No thank you

[Random_Guy]

Seriously, you do need sunlight. Dress cool, drink water and stay in the shade, just fifteen to thirty minutes will help.
If you're really that opposed to being out in the heat (you filthy warm-blood) I'd recommend the melatonin supplements.

(The warm-blood comment was a joke.)

[Snickerdoodles]

Sometimes, if my mind is running too fast for me to fall asleep , I'll sit up and practice square breathing until I'm calmer. Just sit up straight, close your eyes, and tell yourself, "I'll count to ten and then I'll feel twice as calm, twice as quiet." Breathe in for four seconds, hold for four seconds, breathe out for four seconds, and exhale for four seconds. That's one breath.

[Jenny-Toons]

I put on Bossa Nova to help me sleep. It's very soothing and relaxing.

There's also Ennio Morricone and his compositions. Very grand, gestural, but also soft.

[Snickerdoodles]

Do you want a sleep paralysis session where Clint Eastwood stands over your bed? Because that seems like the way to do it.

[VibrantFox]

Honestly quarantine and stress has made me nearly nocturnal, going to sleep at 5 or 6am and then waking up at noon or 3pm unless something wakes me earlier.

I've already tried sleepy-time teas like chamomile, doing stretches, sacrifices to the elder gods, and just waiting till my body crashes but honestly I think I've just come to accept fate.

Also have to agree on not really wanting to bear the risks of going out in near hundred degree weather.

[elisabeth_ist]

Seconding melatonin. Also, a really consistent routine can be helpful. I like to read for an hour before going to sleep. A hot drink (not coffee), calm music, or a bath can also help.

One thing to be aware of is the temperature of your room. I find that, when I have trouble sleeping or staying asleep, it's often because I'm too hot. Our body temperatures drop by several degrees while we sleep; that means it's better for us to sleep in a cooler environment than a warmer one. If you have the option to use a fan or turn your air conditioning up, that may help a little.

[Iris-Grimoire]

When the weight of quarantine hit me, I started to just lose sleep for no apparent reason, but my psycologist told me to try a ton of things out as fast as I could so it didn't slip into habit. When it gets really bad, I get some ASMR meditation on youtube to just shut out the rest of the world and have someone walk me through a meditation(I go into tangents thinking about anything really) and force myself to stay put. In other days where I can tell I'm restless way late, I do stretches and hop while watching a video, or drop all shame and try to dance to something fun. It doesn't replace excercise, but it does get me tired at the right time.

[Snickerdoodles]

Hypnosis videos on YouTube work too.

[YuJiaKweh]

I relate to this. But for me it's another issue. I go to sleep around 10 everyday. But lately I've been waking up around 2 am feeling completely awake. Like someone syringed some caffeine into me.

[Snickerdoodles]

Sometimes all I can do is get up, do some work, and then go back to sleep. Call it a short day.

[Shanny8]

Sometimes, if my mind is running too fast for me to fall asleep

This often happens to me the night before I go back to work...I hate it coz by the time I actually get to sleep, then it's time to get up for work; Sunday nights/Monday morning are a pain.

Lately I've also been having nights where I'll fall asleep, but then i'll wake up at 3 AM tossing & turning...once again, when I finally do get back to sleep, it's another 2 hrs before I have to get up. I'm pretty sure I have sleep apnea, but right now my other issues have priority...and yeah, learning this new task at my day job and the quarantine isnt helping.

[Snickerdoodles]

I used to have terrible sleep apnea. Then I started living alone and the problem disappeared.

[Aims]

I actually stayed up to 10am today, but I heard doing push-ups and other exercises before going to bed can knock you out pretty quick.

[Shanny8]

That's where I'm trying to get to...currently trying to pay off a final piece of debt, and transition a little longer before I move to my own spot. I tell ya, living with others is not my forte; I dont care for dealing with other people's issues- part of that contributes to the sleep issues as well. I do know if I can get back to living alone my mind would be more at peace...

[lillyssil]

Okay so... I am not the best example but here is my advise: Don't use your phone, your Laptop or any other electric device that makes this shining blue light before you go to sleep. It will affect your body if you see that light right before you go to sleep because your body will "think" it is still day. There is mode on your phone (or there should be it depends on the model) where you can change that light from blue to a warm yellow/orange you should use that mode too. Maybe you already do all that or this isn't the cause of your sleep issues then I am sorry that I can't be of help here. Anyway like all the others said go outside and just walk around on the day. I hope it will become better.
Thats what I mean

Blue light has a dark side - Harvard Health