Dream for an Insomniac

[fiction_goddess]

I haven't been sleeping.  At all.

I avoid caffeine after 5pm, go to bed early etc. then spend 9+ hours just lying there, unable to turn my brain off.  Nothing I do works and for weeks now, I've been turning my alarm clock off a half second before it start making noise, because I notice the moment it lights up.  I get out of bed exhausted every

Comments

[nundu_art]

((((((((HUGS!!!)))))))))))

This is going to sound insane, but try some exercise after work and before supper. It will take about a week, but it really will help you sleep better. I went through this a few weeks ago. It has really helped!

[fiction_goddess]

Thank you :)

Actually that doesn't sound insane at all. I've been trying to go for a walk each morning to wake me up, but the evenings really do make more sense. Thanks for the advice.

[j_forias]

Oooh, Nundu gives good advice. Knackering yourself out is a good way to (almost) guarantee sleep!

So you're doing a creative writing degree? Why is working with kids the perfect job to prepare for that? Or are you thinking of doing a completely different degree?

[fiction_goddess]

Yup, just about to go downstairs and use my mum's dusty exercise equipment.

And sadly, no. I'd really like to do writing but I don't think it'll get me anywhere so I'll work on that as a hobby and study something else. I'm mainly leaning towards digital animation.

My job with the kids is perfect because it's shift work and 38 of our 40 staff members are all uni students so they are happy work around changing schedules and give you time off during exams etc. They consider it completely normal for someone to swap shifts around just because they have an assignment due that they haven't finished. It's just a really good environment for students.

[stubefied_by_gd]

You could see your doctor for advice/short-term sleeping pills. I'm sure it's partly stress, and that not-sleeping is making you more stressed, so the important thing is breaking the cycle.

Things that tend to make me sleepy are, as nundu said, exercise, although you have to time it right, and eating. Especially heavy things or things with sugar. Food knocks me right out.

Also reading things that are really boring.

[fiction_goddess]

Yeah, I'm not so sure about the sleeping pill option. My sister got put on sleeping pills a while back and they really ruined her mind. I know they were a certain kind that stopped her from dreaming and the idiot doc kept her on them for FAR too long but I still don't like the idea. It kinda seems unnatural.

I tried exercise last night and I did actually sleep - I got maybe five hours. So I'll stick with that for now, though I think I'm going to try for a different type of exercise. I played on the exercise bike last night and it feels unneven not to do any exercise with my arms. I'll probably try my mum's pilates DVD (less adrenaline that way).

I'll give boring reading a go too. Maybe I'll learn something while I'm at it. :)