How to overcome the "occasional" night of not being able to get to sleep.
 

Most of us have this happen from time to time. Maybe more often as we get older.......75+++.

Those times when you just can not turn off your brain.

What do you do?

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:censored:

2 extra strength Aleve.

U R old enough to know about what not to eat & drink and timing.............common fix for some once learned.

Not a fan of warm milk, booze assistance, drugs or reading.

Some say, stay away from the TV because it stimulates..............not me.
Late night TV came put me asleep.
Jus be selective on what you watch.

:)

After a very special person died, there was no time I could sleep more than a few minutes at a time, for a long time. I listened to Mark Grant Sleep Restore Based on EMDR, on YouTube on my iPad. Later I blue tooth it to my Bose sound system for higher quality of sound. EMDR is psychiatric therapy for PTSD, very effective at breaking trauma. Sleep became slightly longer and in 4 months I was able to graduate to gentle, classical music. A warm bath and 1/2 glass of warm milk before bed time helped me too.

Oddly a small snack often works for me, just a cookie or a cracker. It seems that engaging the stomach often diverts the brain.

I have always been very lucky getting off to sleep pretty much as soon as my head hits the pillow
On the rare occasions when I cannot get off, I play a round of golf in my head at one of the different courses I have played over the years.
I very seldom finish a round.
If that does not work, I get up, put a blanket round myself, lay on sofa and turn on the tv, with no sound.
Works better than Mogadon!

Two Melatonin gummies, 10MG.

Mid 60’s and for 45 years of call, had to be awake and alert in seconds. 4 hours of solid sleep is all I have ever needed. It’s hereditary on my father side entire family doesn’t sleep more than 4 to 5 hours, almost all lived until late 90’s.

Never, tired, not sleepy and if I take a nap I’m not be sleeping that night. I haven’t used caffeine since 1971, super sensitive.

Everyone said when I slow down from working, I would stop waking at 3:30a, still going to bed around 11 or 1130.

They were right, I now wake at 3:45 that extra 15 minutes really changes your day.
Our gym up north was 24/7, 364.5, with indoor pool. Here have to wait til 7a to lap, so run for awhile, then zip over to swim, after cup of tea and a fruit.

I gave up trying to sleep longer in my 20’s, but sometimes I do envy when someone says I only got 10 hours of sleep last night

The best advice I can give is to stay active and eliminate any caffeine after mid-day. I used to have trouble but switching to decaffeinated drinks and tea, I drop off in just a couple of minutes.

I normally have the “occasionally” sleepless night the week before full moon and know of many others with that timing.

I don’t panic or worry about being awake. I dwell lightly on running through all the things I’m grateful for in my life and I can usually doze back off rather quickly. If that doesn’t work, I make sure I’m warm enough or cool enough and may take one adult aspirin if slightly achy.

And every once in awhile, it’s just a night of less sleep. :shrug:

We take a teaspoon of raw honey at bed time nd it has worked for us.

XANAX. Tiny piece.

I'm sure that was a very helpful response for the poster who asked a question.

I feel your pain. I used to sleep like a baby and now realize how much I took that for granted.

I think my problem is my addiction to my Ipad, it messes with sleepiness.

The only time I have trouble sleeping is if an event severely stresses me out during the day or I start worrying about something. What I have found helps me is that as soon as possible after the stressful event occurs to take a half hour walk or ride my stationary bicycle to bring my cortisol level down. Also when in bed I try to focus on pleasant thoughts and memories or meditate.

If my brain is preoccupied and won’t let me sleep, I try to reoccupy the part that is preoccupied……

I visualize a map of the United States and then think through the state capitals. Boredom sets in and I fall asleep before I get through all 50.

Boomer

turn on the tv in the bedroom....works like a charm

Crown Royal and a little 7UP with ice works for me

Given your specific question about turning off your thinking, I think the two responses that people gave to otherwise occupy your brain are probably the most helpful. You need to find something that interests you, can potentially take a while to think through, & is at the same time a little dull (by this I mean it in no way gets you stressed or excited) or offers avenues that you can dwell on (for example both for golf & state capitals, you can start remembering the scenery). Both posters, the round of golf & the state capitals offer all of the qualities. I do something similar & it helps. I am interested in history so I can start listing the causes of the Wars of the Roses or the First World War, or listing English Monarchs & any details about them or US Presidents. On the other hand if politics gets you upset don't try the Presidents thing.
:icon_wink: But anything along these lines will do. You could take apart an engine & put it back together.

ZzzzQuil Liquid
 

The liquid version of ZQuil with no medicine in it - I prefer the purple one - works amazing for me and my husband. Liquid works faster than pills. Saying prayers works wonders

I think I should have added another quality of a good soporific brain exercise is it has a goal that keeps you on track, ie: 18 holes, 50 states, 40 some odd monarchs, etc.

[QUOTE=billethkid;2155278]Most of us have this happen from time to time. Maybe more often as we get older.......75+++.

Those times when you just can not turn off your brain.

What do you do?

______________________________________________

A breathing solution that works most of the time. Take 3 deep breaths, exhale continuously out with your lips pursed until you want to yawn. Try it at least twice. It should help you relax.

LOL. I visualize the Universe and think through the galaxies.

It's even worst when you can't sleep and go to the kitchen and start eating. Or wake up in the middle of the night and start eating. It's called nocturnal eating disorder and it's almost like sleep walking.
Xanax works but contrary to popular belief it's addictive hence why it's a narcotic. Ambian is the worst it does all types of weird things to your brain.
There is nothing like natural sleep. My wife falls asleep the minute her heads her pillow. Grrrrrrr ������*♂️

Easy peasy: one half Benadryl and a cup of camomile tea does it for me every time.

I wonder which state you fall asleep ������ at on your countdown?

I get up and make sure the screws in the cover plates of the outlets and switch plates are all from east to west.

The other thing that works is YouTube. I put on Unashamed with the Duck Dynasty crew and just listen. Their banter is a surefire remedy for sleep and if I’m still jammed up then All In The Family works.

Swimming during the day knocks me out! Good Luck, no sleep is hell.

North to south man with the screws myself.
Water runs off better if splashed.
Off to sort out my sock draw.
Wife got color order mixed up!:icon_wink:

Getting to Sleep
 

Alteril is over the counter, contains melatonin, valerian, L-tryptophan and chamomile.

Also, I sometimes "count to 100" but my rule is that if my mind wanders and the numbers are not the main thing with my attention, then I start over.

I get further and further with each attempt to stop my mind wandering off. I do not usually make it to 100 before falling asleep after a few attempts. It is quite boring, but has mostly been effective. However, some nights, I give up after quite a few attempts to reach 100.

Breathe
 

Breathe in through the nose for 4 seconds, hold it for 8 seconds, exhale though the mouth for 7 seconds. If you feel like yawning do it. Take it to the next level: do the same exercise while counting back from 100.

:22yikes::22yikes:

WOW!!!!

After not sleeping thru the night in 20 years I got medical marijuana. One gummy and I sleep like a baby

sleep
 

Wind down reading things like this on the internet until I feel tired then go to bed

Actually Xanax is very addictive. Maybe w the small piece you tske it’s better. But it is a very addictive drug.

Normally I fall asleep when my head hits the pillow, thanks to a 25% diphenhydramine before bed. (Benadryl) Last night I watched the Kansas City game and was so pumped I couldn't fall asleep. Football games should be earlier <g>

I do the same with Golf, I play hole si've played many times having my drives land in different areas and pick the right club for the locastion and conditions of that spot. I only make it through several holes. I start at different holes to avoid being bored.

I've tried many options. The best non-medicinal is a half cup of warm almond milk with a little cinnamon stirred in. Also, I've successfully used the Michael Saeley sleep videos in YouTube (esp. the one with a black and white/grey palm tree for the image).

If that doesn't work, a melatonin gummy. :(

[QUOTE=billethkid;2155278]Most of us have this happen from time to time. Maybe more often as we get older.......75+++.

Those times when you just can not turn off your brain.

What do you do?

______________________________________________
Exercise! I find that if I am active in the day I have an easy time going to sleep at night. I walk 3-8 miles a day unless I play golf. I walk the golf course. I also think water walking is a good way to exercise your muscles with little chance of hurting yourself. Good luck!

Another method I used , was counting the people who would miss me when I am gone, but that never worked, as list was way to short.
I changed to all those who'd love to see the back of me.
That worked.
Never got to the end of that list!

Xanax is a benzodiazepine and therefore is considered an addictive drug. One can also become physically dependent on the drug and with regular use it can take more and more to work. Sudden withdrawal can cause many serious symptoms including seizures. Please don't play Dr. and recommend something that could be quite harmful to someone even if you personally tolerate it with no problems.

Turn off the brain
 

I stare at the back of my eyelids and refuse to let any thought in. When one sneaks in I chase it away and go back to seeing "nothing". It sometimes takes chasing away quite a few but eventually it works for me.