What Do You Do When You Can't Sleep?
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I'm wide awake. Again. Listening to the clock tick round. What do you do when you can't sleep?
I usually read for a bit then spray some lavender pillow mist on my pillow (obvs) and that usually does the trick.
Get a book start reading if not watch a documentary. And if I’m in a calm relaxing mood I’d literally just sit and meditate 
with some wood burning candles on honestly be having the time of my life until I realise that I’ll have to wake up back again at 7am 
Usually come onto LD and see who's still awake 
Besides that, I'll put on some trash TV in the background.
And tonight's winner is Come Dine With Me.
I would think your suggestions are designed to keep you awake! How can anyone sleep with a TV on and it is a well known fact that tablets, screens etc are the worst thing to use before bed.
If you are into a good book snuggled up in bed your eyes will soon begin to droop, if you have had a full day, and just turn the bedside light out, put the book down with minimal movement and you will soon be in the land of nod.
Sorry to hear that you have trouble sleeping. How kind of you to take your time to share some strategies. Here's hoping you get some good quality sleep soon!
endless scrolling on the phone or drawing random things then it end up 2pm the next day!
I'll either clear my mind completely and end up dropping off or I'll start to daydream and sometimes that'll do it 
That's a good idea to think about something other than sleep by daydreaming. I'll try that. Thanks for sharing!
I have a few things that work for me. I put a "sound" video on on youtube, like rain sounds, to try to relax and switch off. That works pretty well. I put an old film on, one that I've seen many times before, and then leave it running. I'll watch a bit of it here and there, and then soon enough I start to feel tired enough to nod off. That probably works best for me, but you might have to try a few things until you find out what works for you. Another thing that sometimes works for me is doing puzzles. I have a crossword book at the moment and if I can't sleep I'll solve a few of them until I feel too tired.
angelik, thanks so much for the suggestions! That's a new one on me to try doing puzzles. Thanks for sharing!
I always have trouble sleeping I just stay where I am in dark don't want to disturb family and if I get out of bed will wake myself up more.
Having said that I did get out of bed and do quiet jobs in kitchen night before GCSE came out as was a bit worried after the mess up with ALevels.
Sorry to hear that the mess-up with GCSE's and A-Levels affected you. You're so sweet not to want to disturb your family when you can't sleep. That's a good idea to get out of bed for a while and do something quiet. Thanks for sharing!
I find it you get up have a drink a little walk around the house it helps the longer you lie there not sleeping the more frustrated you get and makes it impossible to sleep
Camomile or peppermint tea is helping me usually, also lavender mist on my pillow . Can read some book,and take lavender bath before bed time.
I’m an insomniac and despite everyone’s opinion nothing helps. Friends think they’re being kind with their suggestions and I’m too polite to say “oh no not again, it really doesn’t help”.
My daughter was terrible for going to sleep due to anxiety so she used to have a warm lavender bath and then either night or anxiety spray from the Bach rescue remedy range, they worked in that she did fall asleep sooner than normal, but some nights it was unsettled.
lilyflower You're so right. The Bach range is an amazing thing! Glad to hear that this worked pretty well for your daughter. Some of the Bach range has worked well for me in the past so I may well go back to that.
Films6102. Good to hear that breathing exercises work for you. Thanks for the tip. Have you seen the breathing exercise that sunny101 posted in this thread? Maybe it'll help you.
I just try to relax and think of happy times, usually a time when I was enjoying when abroad
hspexy, What a lovely way to fall asleep! Sometimes the simplest ways are the most effective. You're so kind reminding me of this.
I have a dehumidifier and have suffered for years with insomnia. I tried Pukka night time bundle last week and it was amazing half an hour before you want to fall asleep have some and its so nice as well 
belleshowsdogs, You're so kind giving me the benefit of your experience. Herbal tea can be a helpful thing. Always a plus if it tastes good too! Will have to give the dehumidifier a try. How much should I be looking to spend for a decent, middle-of-the-range one would you say?
kfe202 To be honest, I didn't spend very much as I was sceptical it would work. I got mine for £13 from SHEIN and have used it every single night for months and it hasn't stopped working or anything. you obviously have to buy more scents and I spent £11 on a huge bottle of lavender from Wax Lyrical and I just add a couple of drops. It's lovely
Hope this helps!
This isn't a panacea for insomniacs but I recently watched this, during lockdown, and the effect was pretty mind-blowing and worth a try for anyone unable to sleep through anxiety. Wim Hof was on This Morning showing a technique to help. Start at about 6mins 30secs
sunny101, you're so kind sharing this with us. Thank you. I will give it a try the next time a chance arises.
Get up and do something. I don't really see much point in lying in bed for hours on end wide awake. Unless I am really cosy that is. 
You're so right. Lying in bed listening to the clock tick round is the most pointless thing and one of the most frustrating. What kinds of things do you do when you can't sleep and get up?
RegularComper90 That's cool. Pretty much what I'm doing now. Great minds think alike!
I usually listen to a podcast about white collar crime and that usually sends me on my way. My favourite at the moment is called Swindled and the host has a thrillingly monotonous voice that I find both relaxing and engaging.
I normally put a program on like Snapped or Most evil killers and I fall asleep after 10 mins even though I don’t mind watching that kind of thing!
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