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krish145
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Joined: 24 May 2007
Posts: 2
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# Posted: 6 Jun 2007 02:42 · Edited by: krish145
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I'm having trouble getting good sleep lately. Could this be because of stress?
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Vishal
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Joined: 15 Apr 2007
Posts: 92
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# Posted: 8 Jun 2007 00:35
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Stress can be one of the major factors contributing to sleep disorders. To get more insight on whether stress is indeed preventing you from getting good sleep, you must first have a good understanding of what stress really is. In simple terms, stress is the opposite of relaxation. If you routinely find yourself unable to relax at bedtime, worrying about mundane things or about the past or future, then stress might be one of the factors responsible for your sleep problems.
Try following a relaxing routine like a foot massage or a warm water bath or meditation before bedtime. Try to be in the moment and affirm that the past is over and you have absolutely no control over the future. Don't make any planning for the next day. Just be yourself, free of any expectations, pressure and absolutely contented. Count your blessings and thank the almighty for all the good things happened to you. Practice this routine for a week or so and watch your sleep. If it improves, then you need to follow this routine till it becomes a part of your life. Else, see a sleep professional.
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Dr_Broadland
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Joined: 19 Jul 2007
Posts: 62
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# Posted: 19 Jul 2007 14:38
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"having trouble getting good sleep"
Lack of sleep is often a sign of depression. Person would often say,
"I sleep over 8 hours a day, but still do not wake up refreshed." or
"I sleep 8 hours , yet I am tired all day".
One should therefore,, watch out for other signs of depression, such as feeling of inadequacy, abnormal weight change, mood swings, crying spells for no reason and seek medical advice if at least 3 of these have persisted for over 2-3 months.
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Betty
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Joined: 23 Jul 2007
Posts: 1
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# Posted: 23 Jul 2007 09:24
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Is your trouble not being able to get off to sleep, or are you losing sleep because of waking up regularly or for long periods?
It would be a good idea to rule out possible environmental factors. What you eat and drink before going to bed can affect your sleep - but I'm sure you are aware of that. Avoid heavy meals before bedtime, becaseu the resulting digestive activity could give you apsetting dreams. Stimulants such as alcohol should be taken only in moderation in the evenings if you are having difficulty sleeping.
The environment you go to sleep in is of vital importance:- Make sure it is not too hot, too cold, too noisy or not dark enough.
The bedroom should be as free from clutter as possible. It should also be clean and free from unpleasant odours - the use of incense can help here. Make sure you choose a relaxing variety! You will be more relaxed in a well-made bed in a tidy room. Try to reserve the room you sleep in for just that - take out the objects and equipment associated with your daytime activities.
Once you are between your clean sheets, try to focus your mind on what could be called a "sunny" thought - You can learn to actively block out thoughts about problems which cannot be solved from your bed. If these continue to bother you or you come up with solutions, note them down on a notepad kept by you bed for this purpose and then forget about the matter until morning. This will take practice and is counterproductive if you switch on the bedroom light 25 times a night to make notes!
Let me know how you get on - I'm assuming you know some basic relaxation techniques.
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Vishal
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Joined: 15 Apr 2007
Posts: 92
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# Posted: 24 Jul 2007 01:15
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Excellent advice Annie!
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TajviRAC
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Joined: 7 Apr 2008
Posts: 80
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# Posted: 26 Apr 2008 08:18
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A stress can lead to a "can't sleep" syndrome, before we tag it as insomnia.
On the other part of the cycle, even insomnia, whatever could be the reason to have grown it, may lead to further stress as your mind can't relax.
Medicines are often applied, but not recommended always.
I guess, there are some natural preferred food and habits that might help.
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Dr_Broadland
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Joined: 19 Jul 2007
Posts: 62
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# Posted: 27 Apr 2008 20:22
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Lack of sleep leading to stress leading to more insomnia. It is a vicious cycle. I think medicines have a part to play as a short-term remedy to break the cycle whilst the person learns relaxation techniques and other remedies associated with reduction in stress.
However, in real life you see a greater than desirable reliance on medication. Both the patients and the physicians are to be blamed. The patient remembers the special sleep he/she got after the first dose, and keeps on asking for more of the same. The physician has very little time to go into length explaining or psychotherapy and other stress reduction treatment modalities, although he is aware of this underlying cause(es).
From the days of barbiturates to the present day age of anxiolytics and actually even before that, medications have played a far greater role in insomnia. This is not desirable, to say the least.
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StressedOut
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Joined: 3 Apr 2008
Posts: 25
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# Posted: 29 Apr 2008 20:57
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What are you doing before you go to bed at night? Sometimes a person won't be able to sleep if they ate something like chocolate before going to bed.
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CoolNcalm
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Joined: 2 Apr 2008
Posts: 45
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# Posted: 30 Apr 2008 02:41
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I agree that a good bedtime routine is imperative. However in the case of stress there is often too much going on to sleep. You simply have too much going on to allow your mind to switch off-instead you lie awake thinking through things all night long.
Making lists, writing things down can help in this situation. In that manner you can at least rest easier knowing that you won't forget something important the next day.
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Dr_Broadland
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Joined: 19 Jul 2007
Posts: 62
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# Posted: 30 Apr 2008 12:56
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Quoting: CoolNcalm I agree that a good bedtime routine is imperative.
Remember ? Only a century ago, a good routine prior to sleep was to pray! And it probably worked.
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TajviRAC
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Joined: 7 Apr 2008
Posts: 80
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# Posted: 6 May 2008 12:47
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In addition to the bed-time, there are other factor and catalysts too. If you have a fully loaded stomach or an empty one, you will find it hard to catch a sound sleep. Also the external temperature is important. If you are too cold or hot, that will hamper your sleep. Unless you are too tired, any of these factors can keep you awake for a long time.
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mihac
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Joined: 12 May 2008
Posts: 3
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# Posted: 12 May 2008 09:45
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yes it's true. When I eat too late or it is too hot in my room I just can't sleep.
Sometimes sports activity helps, it makes you tired and relaxed...
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TajviRAC
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Joined: 7 Apr 2008
Posts: 80
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# Posted: 13 May 2008 15:30
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Though a tiring state may bring you to immediate sleep, but it is not ideal for the major sleep of the night.
If you can't get sleep regularly despite trying hard, you need to follow some special routine.
People often complain about staying awake till late night despite lying on bed. Most of the catch a good sleep in the dawn.
Try to change the habit. Wake up early in the morning and don't hit the bed before your bed-time at night. If it doesn't work, on the third day onwards, you'll catch a timely "early to bed" sleep.
Check it. It worked for me!
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cooks
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Joined: 5 Sep 2008
Posts: 20
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# Posted: 8 Sep 2008 17:26
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I will try to keep these things in mind. My life has always been nonstop and my sleep has been just about the same since I was a child. Lets hope before hitting the good ole 3-0 I can get it together.
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JakeF
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Joined: 5 Sep 2008
Posts: 21
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# Posted: 11 Sep 2008 06:05
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Quoting: Dr_Broadland Lack of sleep is often a sign of depression. Person would often say, "I sleep over 8 hours a day, but still do not wake up refreshed." or "I sleep 8 hours , yet I am tired all day". One should therefore,, watch out for other signs of depression, such as feeling of inadequacy, abnormal weight change, mood swings, crying spells for no reason and seek medical advice if at least 3 of these have persisted for over 2-3 months.
I tend to think that depression in some people is caused by lack of sleep rather than depression causing insomnia. Disrupted sleep cycles change your neuro chemistry and therefore effect your mood. I'm speaking from experience here.
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Mika
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Joined: 5 Sep 2008
Posts: 20
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# Posted: 11 Sep 2008 08:54
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I do feel stressed. I try to get between 7-8 hrs sleep at night, but wake up in the morning feeling tired and cranky.I know what my stress factors are, I am just not able to do much about them now.
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bbozhkov
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Joined: 16 Nov 2008
Posts: 5
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# Posted: 18 Nov 2008 10:05
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I know people say that if you "let it out" you will feel better but with my mother is the opposite. If she starts sharing somethig negative with me she lives it again. It reached a moment that I told her to talk with me only about positive things. I find that looking at the glass as "half full" is not only desirable but necessary. If I feel anxious I try to think about what is good in my life and what good I could do in the future. Focusing on minor (or major) past problems doesn't do much good.... and leads to sleepless nights. I had a professor who was saying that at the beginning of the day we should smile even if we don't feel like it. He insisted that the stretching of the face muscles activates positive brain neurons. I have always though that good feelings cause a smile but it may be a reversible reaction too. Anyway positive attitude, even with a dose of denial helps our minds fight dull reality... and that is a fact...check out this website http://allpsych.com/psychology101/defenses.html
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Sunycoco
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Joined: 15 Nov 2008
Posts: 3
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# Posted: 18 Nov 2008 17:47
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Hello Vishal!
Thank you for you explanation about stress. I feel like you are talking directly to me. The state of mind you are describing is exactly what is happening to me. Can talk more about meditation.
Thanks a lot
Sunycoco.
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