sleepless in LA

[rosaw]

Insomnia, an old and not much missed companion of mine, has returned. It was 4:30 last night the last time I saw the clock and the night before it was around 4 that I finally dropped off. All last week it was well after 3 before I crashed (literally). This is a terrible pattern because I can't fall asleep, I have tons of things to do the next day and then I cannot wake up. I have no brain function, I can't think and if I can't think, I certainly can't write. And writing is what this month is supposed to be about. So all in all, I'm in hell. I really blame winter, though I must confess my family situation has plenty to do with this. I just can't seem to let go of last month.

So, it's all stupid stuff that's keeping me up. Things I should be able to ignore or laugh off or let go of because I have no control over them. Instead I obsess, replaying conversations or situations until I am near tears. I've tried Tylenol PM and those don't knock me out. I tried tea, no caffeine after 3pm, and a heating pad for my feet. (I read someplace that if you're feet are warm, you relax and fall asleep. So far, I just have really warm feet and a happy cat because of the heating pad at the foot of the bed.) I have done creative visualization and re-read favorite, comforting books. This happens to me a few times a year and my experience is that one night, I'll just fall asleep and I will be back to a normal sleep pattern - just like that. But getting there is really a long road.

Comments

[melodymuse.livejournal.com]

Does a little warm milk, sweetened help?? It could be that your mind has been full of worry over friend's health and job situations. Maybe I should have Mark call you and tell you about some boring legal things.. that usually puts me right to sleep! hahahahha ;)

* Sending Mr. Sandman your way*

XOXOOXOXO

[rosawestphalen.livejournal.com]

Rwr used to explain the synoptic problem to me until I fell asleep. I understand it now, so it's less boring.

I don't like to drink milk (ick) but I'll give that a try tonight.
*hugs*

[parlance.livejournal.com]

The method that has always worked for me is to breathe deeply, which seems simple enough. But it'sinhaling so deeply your lungs hurt, holding it and slowly exhaling and repeating that finally makes you so exhausted you fall asleep. Give it a try.

{{{Rosa}}}

[rosawestphalen.livejournal.com]

I will try this, though right now I fear I may pass out from getting so much air to my brain. :-)
Thanks for the suggestion.

[destina.livejournal.com]

*hugs you!* I think you've had family stuff, and friend stuff, and many worries to distract you. So it's no surprise you can't sleep.

[rosawestphalen.livejournal.com]

*hugs back*
thanks hon!

[raggedrose.livejournal.com]

That bites... It happens to me sometimes too, but in my case it ain't getting to sleep that's the problem, it's waking up and not being able to go back to sleep.

Uh, sometimes a shot of booze helps, sometimes not. Though that may not be a solution you like, thought I'd mention it.

[rosawestphalen.livejournal.com]

Booze does help sometimes and I admit I have tried both vodka and rum. It's a bummer to be woken up and then not get back to sleep. I hate being in that position, too, though if I'm not in this pattern, I can usually fall right back to sleep.
Thanks for the suggestion. I appreciate it.

[strangerian.livejournal.com]

Warm feet and a happy cat are not all bad. Does having some nice, somnolent carbohydrates in your stomach help? If all else fails to bring sleep, I put the light on and read something guilt-inducing that I *want* to read; if I'm up all night, I might as well have something to remember for it. Sounds like you're doing all the right things, really.

Want you to be happy and not worried or harried. Call me if I can help.

[rosawestphalen.livejournal.com]

Yes, you are correct. A happy cat and warm feet are much of hte good in the world. In my current dieting life, carbs are evil (thou shalt not partake of the carbohydrate until thou hast lost 50 pounds or 1 calendar year has passed, whichever shall cometh first). But I do miss that feeling of fullness that only warm bread and butter can give.

*sighs happily*

Read The Eyre Affair -- you won't be sorry. Even if you aren't sleepless, it's a great read, very inventive.

oh honey...

[sherrold-ish.livejournal.com]

I'm so sorry to hear that you were lying awake all night -- even with warm feet and a cat, it's just not worth it! Here's hoping that your regular sleep pattern is just around the corner, and that tonight is back to normal.

Personally, I'm still feeling like I'm covered in cotton wool, and I got 9 hours last night. I swear, our lives aren't getting any more normal or straightforward, are they?

Sandy

Re: oh honey...

[rosawestphalen.livejournal.com]

I suppose if we wanted "normal" we'd have signed on for different kinds of lives, but you're right -- live isn't getting any more straightforward.

You just concentrate on being happy and whole . I imagine you're going to be feeling a bit rough for a couple of weeks as you adjust to all the changes you're embarking on.

[lapislaz.livejournal.com]

Oddly enough, you might try turkey. Turkey is full of tryptophan, which is a naturally occuring substance that induces sleepiness. (And you always thought it was boredom when everyone feel asleep after Thanksgiving dinner!) Warm milk has a lot of it, too.

You can also get tryptophan supplements from health food stores.

[rosawestphalen.livejournal.com]

I will look at the health food store. Thanks for the suggestions, sweetie!

on a completely different note

[wickedwords.livejournal.com]

I don't have your e-addy at work, and I'm working on travel arrangements. I'm planning on flying into LA on Thursday and out on Monday; I'm guessing that you have to work those days, but I wanted to confirm that before I made shuttle arrangements. Hope things are going okay for you, and that you are getting some sleep.