Insomnia prevention post #1

[azuki_pie]

My doctor has told me twice now that I need to write for about 10 - 20 minutes each night before I go to bed since I am not sleeping. I am going to write that here. Not sure if it'll make any sense or be worth a read so it's behind the cut...

Comments

[starofpersia]

I love you. Having suffered through my fair share of anxiety and insomnia, I will throw out a few suggestions...

-yoga is the bomb on so many levels. esp. if you can find a restorative yoga class, or even just a dvd...it really helps calm my nervous system.

-I discovered when I had a cold that if I breath steam (I have a little thing I got at walgreens) for 10 min. or so that totally knocks me out and relaxes me. I think it's just the deep breath/increased oxygen flow.

-When I absolutely cannot sleep or calm down I do take tranquilizers. yes they are evil, but as my psychiatrist says it's better than not getting sleep. but then again I have zero addictive tendencies and have avoided addiction, taking them only when I really need em.

-Sign up for okcupid.com. I'm not saying you'll necessarily meet your soul mate, but you will get a fun ego boost and there's nothing wrong with fuck buddies!

Anyway, it sounds like journaling is a good idea for helping you process...I should do more of that myself.

[arabella_jin]

I have to agree with B here! and I do suffer from panic attacks for various reasons

[starofpersia]

B.- being an "independent contractor" in the US is not the same thing as being a contract employee. It basically means that the you are treated as a freelancer and are 100% responsible for your taxes whereas an employer would pay a portion normally. So you wind up paying more tax than if you were a normal employee

[arabella_jin]

Oh! That is so fucked up. didn't know, good you told me. Is it normal practise in the US?

[hikarugenji]

I often have trouble sleeping due to stress or other reasons. I find that Benadryl works pretty well, but for more serious times I take Atavan, which is a prescription medicine but works well -- 1/2 a pill is good (if I take a whole pill it makes me groggy).

[azuki_pie]

Benadryl is a pretty safe option I might try if it gets bad enough - my only hesitation is that since going to a holistic doctor my tolerance for otc medication has gone WAY down. Which is a big deal since I used to be the queen of pill poppers - now I just pop supplements!

Thanks for the suggestions!

[hikarugenji]

If you do try Benadryl, 1 pill should be enough (I think the normal dose for allergy prevention is 2).

[serrano]

melatonin pills might be easier to handle.

[serrano]

1. If you're getting a masters in anything but education or, like, a professional degree (i.e. if it's ensconsed w/in academia), they'll fund you.

2. Writing in front of a computer screen may f up melatonin production because of the illumination, incidentally, making it hard to sleep.

[azuki_pie]

I do have melatonin, my doc didn't reccomend it since it's not a body clock thing - BUT if things get bad enough I should give it a try!

1. Unfortunately I'm not an academic. I enjoy training and learning from doing, but I'm not the greatest student, therefore I don't think there is anything other than the program in Vermont for a masters in teaching that interests me. I want to be certified so I can teach in public schools and also have the training I need to get a job in any university in the world and domestically at community colleges and ESL programs. I looked into linguistic programs but frankly research bores me to tears. I want to teach so I think I'm pretty stuck on having to pay. I'll just have to see how much scholarship I can get along with financial aid.

2. Good point, hadn't even considered that! I will keep that in mind and dim the screen before bed when I type.