Can\'t sleep

[Yetie]

My mom went into hospital on Sunday with really bad pneumonia that has really messed with her diabetes and left her, well bed ridden is the only way to describe it.

Now after coming back home (I live a fair way away) due to having to go back to work I can\'t sleep due to the worry and anxiety. I was wondering if any1 had any ideas on how I can maybe get a few hours, minutes hell I\'ll take seconds of sleep!!! Cheers

 

[DrEvilmonki]

How good is your concentration and visualization? I\'ve had insomnia for years, one of the most useful things I have found is picturing myself arriving at a deserted beach. Imagine parking at some dunes, taking a long walk to get to the beach. The better you can visualize it the more likely you will be able to put your anxiety aside. Really try to imagine the heat of the sun, the sound and smell of the water.

Doesn\'t always work but might be worth a go.

 

[Torn blue sky]

Man I know for a fact this is a bitch too! My minds reeling so much now I can\'t sleep for thinking either. Luckily i\'m on painkillers which sends me off after a while lol I had this before though and I found the best way was to go to bed calm and remember tomorrow is a different day. Things can get better
Staying possitive is the key.

 

[Arma]

I read something posted on a site today about getting to sleep after you\'ve woken up in the middle of the night... I dunno if it\'s useful for you but here\'s what he said:

I just ready about your recent bout with waking up and having too much on your mind. The following is the only technique I have found to get your mind to forget about these details and let you fall back asleep.

1. Close your eyes
2. Rapidly look to the left and then to the right, back and forth, repeat as long as necessary to start \"disrupting\" your thoughts of everything on your mental to-do list.

For me, within 5-10 minutes I have fallen back asleep.

I have read that this back and forth eye movement is what happens when you are in a REM state of sleep. I have also read that this technique is used on victims of traumatic experiences, to give them a way to put the recurring experience out of their mind temporarily and help them fall asleep.

Hopefully, you haven\'t tried this yet, and it works for you.

Take care/

 

[johnboyjjb]

I start at 1500 and count down to 0. Every inhale counts. And it has to be deep, slow breaths. If I\'m not asleep by 0, I get up for 30 minutes. Then I start all over, on the floor. My wife hates it when I keep her up.

 

[EldinTux]

Hi Yetie, I have the exact opposite problem, I fall asleep at the drop of a hat. I can\'t be much help but as we live so close if you just need someone \'neutral\' to talk to we can always meet up. Just talking about your anxiety can help.

 

[Modderrhu]

Join a meditation class.

It always used to take me at least an hour to fall asleep, and that was when I was able to sleep. Regular meditation sorted my mind out - I sleep within 10 minutes. The principals are similar to visulisation, but much more directed. There are significant benefits apart from the ability to actually sleep too.

 

[Yetie]

cheers for all the ideas guys, I did the old counting sheep and got to sleep with half an hour to speer before I had to be up for work.

I think more than anything its the leaving the area sort of thing, with knowing that if anything does happen I wont be able to get to the hospital within 15 mins.

I\'m going to see her tonight and find one of the doctors to tell me all the facts, I\'m the sort of person who if I know whats going on with nothing hidden I can deal with it. The hospital have been great looking after her but in keeping me informed they have sucked big time so hopefully if I dont have anything to invent in my mind I wont b thinking the worst.

Thanks EldinTux means alot I\'ll keep it in mind but I dont think with going to and from I\'ll have much time to eat let alone see any1.

 

[Naukhel]

Well, I\'m late, but I\'d have just suggested calling in at work. That\'s a family matter
that definitely counts as a valid reason not to go in.

 

[Yetie]

I\'m at work feel very tired but I\'m good for the rest of the day (fingers crossed) I spoke to the hospital and they said there was definatly an improvment I\'ll just have to wait and see.

 

[freakinacage]

fingers crossed for you mate. you have to ask direct questions to the staff if you want answers. i work in a hospital and most people don\'t want to know so you need to let them know that you are interested

 

[Yetie]

cheers mate that was the feeling I got from the ward, I\'m off to see her in about 5 mins I will let you all know how it goes when I get back later.

 

[Andusciassus]

I really hope she gets better.

As for falling asleep, I have the same peoblem, not due to anxiety though more like a general sleeplessness.
I only fall asleep when a) I\'m in a short and rare falling-asleep-window, they come like once every few hours and then I have to run to bed, if I miss the window I\'mm destined to lie awake until I\'m going to get up -then I always fall asleep.

So now when I miss the window, I use my imagination and pretend the alarm on my phone goes of, I pretend I\'m going up but allowing myself (still only imaginary) to use the snooze-function.
In my mind: Only a couple of more minutes in bed, then I have to get up.
In reality: Falling asleep fast.

 

[airhead]

A prayer for your Mom headed up...

Reading technical manuals or Liviticus always works for me.

 

[Yetie]

She was great last night, not her usual self but she had a spark behind her eyes which had been missing.

Spoke to the doctor and he said her kidneys had taken a bit of a battering due to the acid that had been in her blood but that they should come back to normal with lots of water and rest.

Its a huge relief to know that shes on the mend thanks guys for the support!!!!

Still finding it hard to sleep, so I\'ve taken to sculpting mushrooms. Strange I know but its somthing to do and it is very calming but not too technical like painting which is easy to mess up when tired.

 

[Crackpot]

Wish you and your mother the best...
It\'s a good idea to do \"low-level\" work. When I have too much on my mind I can\'t paint. I need to be calm and relaxed to paint. Otherwise I can only base-color some things or sculpt somethin easy like mushrooms or a base.

 

[No Such Agency]

Originally posted by airhead
Reading... Liviticus always works for me.

I always end up skipping to \"song of songs\"... and then I still can\'t get to sleep

In all seriousness Yetie, I hope your mom gets better soon. Keep making those mushrooms! I agree that basic work is calming, and this from me who finds all this so frustrating.

 

[Talion]

What I do to help me sleep is

Breath in and out through my nose, when I breath in say \"in\" in my head and \"out\" when I breath out.

Soft shallow breathing and you\'ll find that you start to fade off

 

[freakinacage]

nightol helps me (or tramodol!). it stops me thinking so i just drift off. i get the extra strength ones.

or oyu can always do what they suggest on 40 y/o virgin:
double up on sleeping tabs and start to masturbate. either way, you win!