What Made you Smile/What Ticked you off Today?

[samsonlonghair]

Ditching the mattress and sleeping flat on the floor helps me. That seems counter-intuitive, right? I'm no doctor, and I can't say with any certainty what will help you. All I know is that this helps me.

[Stark]

So the last two nights, I have been having a hard time staying asleep. Each time I would wake up at around 3 AM and it would take me a few hours to try and go back to sleep....each successive time being more difficult. Tonight, I woke up and it has be absolutely impossible for me to go to sleep. The mind is willing, but the body is not in this scenario as my brain is moving at a snail's pace, and my body just refuses to sleep.

This sucks.

Have you tried getting out of bed and doing as many pushups as you can? That usually helps me.

Sounds like something BusomJack would say.

[Luke]

Sounds like something BusomJack would say.

Second Busom Jack reference of the day.

[samsonlonghair]

Careful, if you say his name three times, he'll appear... or was that Beatlejuice?

[Cronozilla]

So the last two nights, I have been having a hard time staying asleep. Each time I would wake up at around 3 AM and it would take me a few hours to try and go back to sleep....each successive time being more difficult. Tonight, I woke up and it has be absolutely impossible for me to go to sleep. The mind is willing, but the body is not in this scenario as my brain is moving at a snail's pace, and my body just refuses to sleep.

This sucks.

And five minutes later I told you a boring as hell story that put you right to sleep :p

[s1mplehumar]

So the last two nights, I have been having a hard time staying asleep. Each time I would wake up at around 3 AM and it would take me a few hours to try and go back to sleep....each successive time being more difficult. Tonight, I woke up and it has be absolutely impossible for me to go to sleep. The mind is willing, but the body is not in this scenario as my brain is moving at a snail's pace, and my body just refuses to sleep.

This sucks.

My best advice in no particular order:

-Produce offspring. Kids will leach every ounce of your life force from you.
-Lots of physical labor. Tend a large vegetable garden. Swing an axe. Pound some roots with a digging iron, etc.

All those people who tell you that they just can't sleep because their minds are racing (with a few exceptions). Bull. They don't work hard enough. RUN yourself into the ground, friend. Your bed should feel nice and melty.

[dsheinem]

All those people who tell you that they just can't sleep because their minds are racing

This is me.

[s1mplehumar]

All those people who tell you that they just can't sleep because their minds are racing

This is me.

Swing that axe!

I believe you, Dr.

[mjmjr25]

^Can't argue with any of that.

I can't recall the last time I couldn't fall asleep.

Luke isn't off with the pushup idea either. It might seem counter intuitive to get your body all worked up and breathing hard - but then you lay down and 5 minutes later your body wants to recover (through sleep).

[Luke]

I have two issues.

Let me rephrase that.

I have two issues with lack of sleep.

1) My mind won't shut up. I'm not just thinking about how much sleep I have left before the alarm goes off, I'm thinking about all my worries, even if I try to suppress them.

2) Crazy legs. Not the awesome character from DON'T BE A MENACE, but my legs have a mind of their own and seem want to go for a run.

So...

Solutions for me that work!

First, I read before going to bed. Usually the Bible or Autobiographies as they calm me.

When my mind races, and make fun all you want, I imagine and make up sitcom crossovers, because I love cheesy sitcoms. Last night, in my mind of course, the Fresh Prince helped Uncle Jesse and Joey write a rap jingle while also helping Danny Tanner land a date. In short, place any negative or "busy" thinking with your own creative ideas. For me, visualizing things I like really helps calm my mind before sleep.

When my legs get stupid, or I feel a jolt of energy, I leave the bedroom and go to a guest bedroom. Push-ups are a full body workout and eighty five of 'em will wear me out. Sometimes I sleep on the yoga mat in the same room, sometimes I get back into bed. As Mike said, you might get a burst of energy for a bit, but your body will soon say "Huh-uh" and hopefully you'll be fast asleep.

Other words of wisdom... Yoga. Do it before you hit the hay. Helps me a ton, and I have serious sleep issues. I've tried medication for my insomnia, but all it did was shut me down, big time.

Warm milk. I swear by it. As do I a consistent "sleepy time".

Eat before 7pm.

Watch your alcohol consumption. It can wreck your sleep patterns. That is unless you plan on passing out, which isn't good.

Know your surroundings. If you have to wake up at 3am to pee, you should be able to do that stuff blindfolded. If you are anything like me, light will wake you up in a quick fast. If you need light, invest in a two dollar red light flashlight which won't screw with your vision.

And lastly,

Sleep tight, and keep your butt hole tight.