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

[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!