Anyone have a hard time falling asleep?

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I've heard that if you don't fall asleep within 30 mins it's better to get up and do something for a while (read, watch tv, homework, etc) and then try again. Also, before you go to bed, you're supposed to slowly dim the lights - apparently, it's to mimic the sun going down, and the lower light cues your body to get ready for sleep. Third, it's important to get up at the same time every day - it's supposidely more important than going to bed at the same time every night.

I have trouble sleeping sometimes, but it's because of my job. It's hard for me to be on a regular set sleeping schedule so I'm always a little screwed up 🙄

You may have already heard these things, but if not, I hope they help! 🙂
 
I get this a lot with stress - since I was a little kid. In fact, worrying about med school admissions is causing me a lot of trouble sleeping now, too.

The things that help most are cutting out caffeine (I usually do no coffee/coke at all and no tea after 5 pm), and reading a pleasure book in low lighting as I try to fall asleep. Getting some exercise is great for sleep, but don't work out in the evenings - it makes it a lot harder to fall asleep. Think about your sleep hygiene, too - keep your bed just for sleeping & sex. Something like simply sleep or tylenol pm are fine, but honestly I find them to work really slowly and are better for staying asleep rather than falling asleep. If your sleep is really bothering you, you could also talk to your doctor.

Also, if you have the means to get a massage, that works wonders as well - I usually have normal sleep for about 2 weeks after a massage, even if the stressors are still there.
 
I have this problem too and don't really have a solution. I take an over the counter sleeping pill sometimes if it is really critical that I get a good night's sleep. Otherwise, if I get about 4-5 hours one night, that usually makes it easier to fall asleep the following night.
 
It usually takes me around 45 minutes to fall asleep. I don't really have a solution either... none of the "tricks" have ever really worked for me and at this point I think I'm just used to it.

It was the same when I was younger, I never even realized it was unusual until I got to college, and my roommates could just put their head down on the pillow and immediately fall asleep. Shocking! :laugh:
 
God...I will trade ya'll problems. I have a hard time NOT falling asleep. So far today I woke up at 10:30 after about 10hrs of sleep. Then I took two post-sleep naps from 1:00-1:30 then again from 2:00-2:15.

If I did not feel bad about sleeping so much, I could probably sleep 16 hours a day.
 
haha i feel the same way. this is a pre med problem i think, since our race tends to worry or overanalyze things to the point where it competes with normal things like sleep which will work in your favor on the end, come residency.

but if i have to give you my two, i highly suggest you read a novel in bed. I sometimes read a page and am like 'wow im suddenly not really into reading this, im tired' and go back to the toss-turn routine.

however, if you force yourself to read a bit more, like a chapter or two, youll get into the zone and shorly afterwards you will start slowing down and really get tired. Try it, it works.
 
I feel more tired with more sleep than when I have less sleep, isnt that odd?
 
I used to have an awful time try to go to sleep- I would lay in the bed 1-3 hours and everything from the whole day would go through my brain and then I would get stressed... what helped me take care of it was taking a bath with lavender essential oils and I also got diagnosed with an endocrine disease that was causing insomnia- I started taking a sleep-aid (non-addictive) and used it for a couple months to regulate my sleep cycle... remember not to try to go to sleep with TV on or whatnot... and now I am good!

So the lavender oils can also be massaged onto hands/feet (like 2-3 drops) and it always put me out- now I don't need it!
 
I always take at least an hour to fall asleep. Last night, in fact, I laid in bed for 2.5 hours awake before I got up and starting doing things around my apartment, and then tried to sleep again. It's so frustrating! Usually, its cuz I can't turn off my brain! I go to bed and wake up at the same time almost every day, don't eat or exercise before bed, and follow all those other tips, but to no avail.
 
these lavender drops could be the next big thing
 
I have problems falling asleep whenever I'm stressed or excited or nervous. So pretty much, I've had issues during this whole medical school application process. I can never stop thinking about everything! I've pretty much gotten used to it, and just take a nyquil on the nights when I have something big the next day...
 
Try doing something that takes your mind off of whatever is stressing you out before you go to bed. As girly as this sounds, when i am stressed I usualy turn on a disney movie, haha. But hey they are always funny ( I prefer a Goofy Movie ha) and have a soppy love story so i takes my mind off of that Biochem test the next day or w/e i have.
 
I started having trouble sleeping when I worked with horses. Was always worried that they were going to get down in their stall and injure themselves or something like that. I was unable to "turn off" my brain and my thoughts from the day. I started taking Lunesta and it worked wonderfully! If I knew that I had to wake up early the next day, sometimes I would only take half a pill, but for the most part didn't feel drowsy when I woke up the next a.m.
 
My dad used to find me up watching tv at 3 in the morning when i was 7 years old. I've been an insomniac ever since then. You should try "Super Snooze" its totally natural/herbal and it doesn't make you drowsy the next day. Whenever I take it I don't even realize I've fallen asleep until I wake up the next morning.
 
or you could just get drunk everynight, that usually makes falling asleep earlier and probably just as addicting as most sleeping pills haha
 
Exercise regularly, and you might have better luck. Just don't do it too late at night. Taking a hot shower/bath a little while before going to bed might help you relax.

Edit: And yes, I do have trouble falling asleep. The exercise and shower seem to help.
 
Another thing that might work is a sound machine. Some might find it distracting, but I find a peaceful sound effect lulls me to sleep easily. In fact, I found some sound effects on the web and just play them on a loop on my computer - it basically works the same and it's free.
 
DrGonz said:
or you could just get drunk everynight, that usually makes falling asleep earlier and probably just as addicting as most sleeping pills haha
Click to expand...


thats what i do. you might be surprised at how well whiskey acts as a sleep aid.
 
chad5871 said:
Another thing that might work is a sound machine. Some might find it distracting, but I find a peaceful sound effect lulls me to sleep easily. In fact, I found some sound effects on the web and just play them on a loop on my computer - it basically works the same and it's free.
Click to expand...

Sometimes I leave a fan on in my bedroom. It definitely works, but then I have trouble hearing the alarm in the morning...maybe I should invest in one of these sound machines, assuming I can afford one with a sleep timer. Do you think they have a whirring fan sound?
 
Yep I also have a reallllly hard time fallin asleep under stressful conditions.....i remember i stayed up the whole night before my MCAT. But if you are up on days when you are not stress....then you might have a problem. I've gone to a sleep doctor before, don't bother, they just give you ambien. There is really not much u can do about it....but try things like exercise, yoga, or eating healthier
 
nope, im going to bed now. nite.
 
It's 4AM and I'm posting here. Draw your own conclusions.
 
two possible solutions

1) go to the most borring class that you have, tape the guy and listen to it before going to sleep. Believe me, my p. chem proff, could overcome the caffenie in my system.

2) get a gf, 😉.
 
Yea I have a hard time falling asleep alright simply because there is so much stuff to do. Seriously the past 3 days it's been 3-4 hours of sleep only because it's just a terrible week for me, but if I make it to Thursday I'll be good. Anxiety, sleeping w/light on in my face, and 3 alarms have kept me from oversleeping if anyone has problems with waking up.
 
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