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Rapunzel's avatar is the inspiration for this thread.

Insomnia Tip #20

Counting Sheep

We finally figured out why it never worked for us. The old wives' cure for insomnia is to count bouncy little sheep leaping over a fence. No wonder it doesn't work. Bouncy sheep are hyperactive and wide awake. They're the last thing you need to dwell on when you want to go to sleep.

So try the variation that worked for us. Count sleeping sheep. Imagine a beautiful green meadow stretching to infinity. Every ten feet or so, right in a row, lies a peaceful, sleeping sheep. Imagine that you're just gliding by, almost floating. And that you pass by a sheep every 3 or 4 seconds (experiment to find which time interval works best for you -- it varies from person to person). Count the sheep and glide on to the next, and the next, and so on.

Take it from us. Sleeping sheep are much more effective.

Share any tips you might have with us for getting a good night's sleep.

(If you are not sleepy yet, click on the picture on the left below and start counting)

:D

Attached files

Lol AFTR, who woulda thought my black sheep would be a source of inspiration? :wah:

I loved your fence-jumping sheep too, but I was so busy watching them jump, and wondering if maybe one was gonna trip and fall . . . that I forgot to count! Doh! :-5

:yh_rotfl

I play sudoku on my sons DS for 5 minutes in bed at night and that always sends me straight to sleep! Either that or crossword puzzles. They always make me fall asleep quickly too. :wah:

omg.....now you've asked for it!:yh_rotfl:yh_rotfl



If you can't sleep:

-don't stay in bed longer than 20 minutes....get up and read-

this takes your mind off whatever it was on and relaxes you...repeat if necessary.

-don't look at your bedroom clock..this panics you if you only have X amount of hours until you have to get up.....I used to put a facecloth over mine.

-have a very small fan running on your nightstand...your mind automatically listens to this which helps block out noise and helps you also get things off your mind.

-no baths/showers before bed.....everyone thinks the are relaxing...but they are pumping up your heart rate.

-this is mental relaxation: say this in your mind: and say these things slowly....very slowly:.....I'm lying a meadow......the sun is starting to make me feel warm.......I am starting to to feel warm, relaxed and comfortable, ..........my hand is starting to feel warm and comfortable..... .then do the same with every part of your body.

and if you have any anxiety anytime.....say this to yourself or say it out loud.





can anyone tell I went to a sleep disorder clinic?:yh_rotfl:yh_rotfl



and I still do that mental relaxation and I still have my fan.......so there!:p:p:yh_rotfl

Easy. I just tune in one of those TV movies. The ones with the never heard of actors who whisper half their lines. The kind with equally lousy plots and camera work. Never fails to send me off to dreamland.

Meditate.

Do you remember any lullabies that were sung to you or that you sang to your children before bedtime?

Below is a link to a musical lullaby;

YouTube - Lullaby - Goran Bregovic

Drugs

Ian;1247080 wrote: I wish I knew I've just woke up and it's 3am


Snap

Sleeping is a waste of time. Try to keep it to the bare minimum.

When your young like yourself Nomie it seems that way. When you get older it is something of a blessing to get a good night sleep. :yh_sleep:yh_sleep Melatonin works for me and being physically exhausted. :-6

[QUOTE]Sleeping is a waste of time. Try to keep it to the bare minimum.[/QUOTE]

Ian;1247080 wrote: I wish I knew I've just woke up and it's 3am


get out of bed and read....this will take your mind off whatever it was and relax you.

I read a Chapter or so of something that really interests me. That usually does the trick.

I don't have a problem falling asleep ... it's staying asleep I have the problem with

Ian;1247167 wrote: Yes that's what I did thank you :-6


your most welcome.:-6



--the key here is, if you can't fall asleep within 20 minutes....get out of bed, as that only frustrates you more - read, watch tv. , go on the computer.....(as long as those things don't get your heart rate up)......(example) reading a book, make sure its just something simple.....once you have done those things.......your mind is now on that.....instead of whatever it was that made you not sleep.......even if your just wide awake at 3am with nothing on your mind.......reading etc......still relaxes you.

and it may take many tries.......but it will work.

I find reading Oascars posts the most effective thing to send me asleep

Being tuckered out is how I fall asleep, usually works on a nightly basis.

pinkchick;1247169 wrote: I don't have a problem falling asleep ... it's staying asleep I have the problem with


do the same thing I just suggested;

get out of bed if its been more than 20 minutes......read something soothing, that takes your mind of what it was on...and you will become drowsy again.

sometimes I also come here, I can feel myself getting drowsy...its just because again.....your taking your mind off whatever was keeping you awake.

watch t.v.....



....and even if it was on nothing on your mind and you just find yourself wide awake it will also work......

it may take a few times at first...but it does work.

staying in bed only frustrates you more.

Odie;1247381 wrote: do the same thing I just suggested;

get out of bed if its been more than 20 minutes......read something soothing, that takes your mind of what it was on...and you will become drowsy again.

sometimes I also come here, I can feel myself getting drowsy...its just because again.....your taking your mind off whatever was keeping you awake.

watch t.v.....



....and even if it was on nothing on your mind and you just find yourself wide awake it will also work......

it may take a few times at first...but it does work.

staying in bed only frustrates you more.


I'll give it a bash :-6:D

My husband not snoring would help lotsssssssssssssssssssss:-5:-4

mrsK;1247392 wrote: My husband not snoring would help lotsssssssssssssssssssss:-5:-4


oh Heather, I remember that one!:-5:-5:-5

mrsK;1247392 wrote: My husband not snoring would help lotsssssssssssssssssssss:-5:-4


:yh_rotfl I just bought ear plugs because the guys next door blast their music.





If I can't sleep I take tylenol PM and cola with ice. Cola puts me to sleep at night, and keeps me awake after lunch...weird I know:D

Kathy Ellen;1247443 wrote: :yh_rotfl I just bought ear plugs because the guys next door blast their music.





If I can't sleep I take tylenol PM and cola with ice. Cola puts me to sleep at night, and keeps me awake after lunch...weird I know:D


what does tylenol PM do Kathy?

doesn't the caffeine from the cola keep you awake?

is there something your not telling us?:yh_rotfl:yh_rotfl

I have read your topic. What's useful innformation for my job.

I do agree with you. Those are the most effective way

have a blessed day

gencilfir;1247469 wrote: I have read your topic. What's useful innformation for my job.

I do agree with you. Those are the most effective way

have a blessed day


for our newbies..........don't click on that link.......just in case.

Odie;1247453 wrote: what does tylenol PM do Kathy?



doesn't the caffeine from the cola keep you awake?



is there something your not telling us?:yh_rotfl:yh_rotfl


Tylenol PM has a mild seditive in it that helps you sleep. Can't explain my reaction to cola. I have a long work morning, and cola perks me up in the pm. If I'm not feeling good or tired, the cola helps me to sleep....maybe the syrup eases my tummy...dunno....helps with the nausea....although lemonade, ginger ale or lucozade would probably be better.

Kathy Ellen;1247493 wrote: Tylenol PM has a mild seditive in it that helps you sleep. Can't explain my reaction to cola. I have a long work morning, and cola perks me up in the pm. If I'm not feeling good or tired, the cola helps me to sleep....maybe the syrup eases my tummy...dunno....helps with the nausea....although lemonade, ginger ale or lucozade would probably be better.


oh I had no idea it was a mild sedative.......I may pick up a small bottle and try them, thank you.

funny how the cola works for both?

just for the fun of it, you should try something different.

mind you that thing I call mind over matter may have alot to do with switching!:yh_rotfl:yh_rotfl



are you not working today?

Odie;1247564 wrote: oh I had no idea it was a mild sedative.......I may pick up a small bottle and try them, thank you.



funny how the cola works for both?



just for the fun of it, you should try something different.



mind you that thing I call mind over matter may have alot to do with switching!:yh_rotfl:yh_rotfl





are you not working today?


Hi Odie,



Well, I do like taking the Tylenol PM once in a while. I especially take it if I need to have a great sleep, but I don't abuse it. I really haven't taken Tylenol PM for over a year. I also take Aleve with noproxem for headaches.



I'll stay with the cola because it really helps me. Whenever I don't feel good or have a headache, a glass of cola with lots of ice and 2 aleve tablets clears it up immediately.



I had off from work on Monday for Yom Kippur and worked today. Sometimes I pop into FG in the early morning before work;)