Guest Posted May 13, 2014 Share Posted May 13, 2014 I've been having anxiety problems and for the past few weeks I've been waking up several times a night with panic attacks and I'm unable to get any real rest. I've starting to feel sick a lot and nothing I've tried as worked so far. I've been to the doctor, but the medication I was on didn't help. I've tried cutting out caffeine, and eating before bed. I've tried watching stuff before sleep, playing games before sleep, having my room cool at night, warm at night, and nothing works. Does anyone have any advice or things that help you sleep that you'd be willing to share? Thanks Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
zombieksa Posted May 13, 2014 Share Posted May 13, 2014 I recently started a workout program where I do one workout in the morning, and one workout about 2 hours before bed. I have never slept so well in my life. I understand it takes a lot of motivation to get into a regime but it really has helped me. Maybe you already work out. If so maybe change the time you get active. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wheels22 Posted May 13, 2014 Share Posted May 13, 2014 2-3 beers and a few episodes of Simpsons will put me out Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
-AJ- Posted May 13, 2014 Share Posted May 13, 2014 Try avoiding screen time for at least an hour before bed. Also, I generally read before bed, as it calms my brain down and gets me more ready for sleep. I used to have more insomnia and anxiety problems when I was younger. Never any panic or anxiety attacks, though. It seems like kind of lame advice, but the way I got over it was to just stop caring about it. If I have insomnia, I just accept that I'm gonna be tired the next morning and live with it. I don't freak out about it and whatnot, I just relax and accept the fact. Ironically enough, I fall asleep eventually that way. Even if I don't, I'm relaxed and not freaking out. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
-Vintage Canuck- Posted May 13, 2014 Share Posted May 13, 2014 This might help - a few days ago there was an article on a SFU researcher who developed an app to help you go to sleep. This University of Saskatchewan student may have benefited from the new mySleepButton app so he could get a proper night’s sleep and attend classes: Luc Beaudoin has developed an app that is so darn good it’ll put you to sleep. It’s called mySleepButton. What sets it apart from other sleep apps, he said, is that it uses the imagination to prepare your brain to nod off. Technically, the app uses what Beaudoin calls the cognitive shuffle, or serial diverse imaging. What that means is that the app will ask a user to imagine a series of unrelated objects or scenes in rapid succession — for example, a baby, a football game, beans, a ball, and the city of London. “It presents you with diverse and random content you’re asked to imagine,” said Beaudoin, a Simon Fraser University adjunct education professor and associate member of the cognitive science program. “People don’t realize it, but that’s what they do — they have these micro dreams as they fall asleep. This app doesn’t make you dream, but gets you into a state that’s similar.” What the app does is help people turn off executive functions such as planning, worrying and problem solving. While those are all important when we are awake, they are aggravating when we can’t turn them off when we are trying to sleep. Beaudoin said his own insomnia wasn’t the reason why he developed mySleepButton. He said he was motivated to turn basic research into a practical application to help people live better lives. The app’s cues are all auditory. He compared it to listening to music, which some people use to help them get ready to sleep. Beaudoin is the author of Cognitive Productivity. His next goal is to translate the app into French and then other languages. Beaudoin’s mySleepButton is distributed by Apple as a free iTunes download. http://www.theprovince.com/technology/researcher+develops+help+sleep/9820750/story.html Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Caboose Posted May 13, 2014 Share Posted May 13, 2014 Lots of good advice. I've found that a regular exercise schedule fairly close to bedtime helps, along with avoiding screens. Try taking melatonin. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brendan Gaunce Posted May 13, 2014 Share Posted May 13, 2014 Have you tried melatonin? Check out a natural medicine pharmacy. (I reccomend the Sisu brand) More exercise Less screentime before bed Baroque music / talk radio (I like to listen to Canuck talk every night and helps put me out) / Waves - whatever you prefer! Try deep breaths! Good luck! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
surtur Posted May 13, 2014 Share Posted May 13, 2014 Something that i stumbled upon (probably not healthy) is don't eat after breakfast work hard then eat a decent meal 30 min before bed i passed out half way up the stairs i assume blood sugar levels or something.. but seriously what have you changed , i know when i quit smoking i couldn't fall asleep properly ,for months , had severe anxiety etc. even just changing my diet or eating something like a bag of chips will change how i sleep. Oh yeah and the biggest one for me was keeping hydrated i drink a large glass of water before bed and a couple during the night. I do get up to go to the bathroom once or twice a night but i sleep much better and don't ever actually wake up 100% when i get up to pee.. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CB007 Posted May 13, 2014 Share Posted May 13, 2014 Something that i stumbled upon (probably not healthy) is don't eat after breakfast work hard then eat a decent meal 30 min before bed i passed out half way up the stairs i assume blood sugar levels or something.. but seriously what have you changed , i know when i quit smoking i couldn't fall asleep properly ,for months , had severe anxiety etc. even just changing my diet or eating something like a bag of chips will change how i sleep. Oh yeah and the biggest one for me was keeping hydrated i drink a large glass of water before bed and a couple during the night. I do get up to go to the bathroom once or twice a night but i sleep much better and don't ever actually wake up 100% when i get up to pee.. These are very weird advices. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dr.Strangelove Posted May 13, 2014 Share Posted May 13, 2014 I have had the same problem for several years but I recently found a few ways that usually work for me. 1) Exercise of some form ( For me this is a good swim) 2) As cool a room as possible 3) Reading before bed 4) listening to quiet music as you're trying to fall asleep Of course knowing the cause of your problem will be a huge help. Also I would recommend trying various medications if you haven't already. Good luck and hopefully you find something that works for you Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
-DLC- Posted May 13, 2014 Share Posted May 13, 2014 My daughter has anxiety and it's a tough one. Gaming before bed will have you buzzing...try to cut the electronics out long before you're settling in. Read instead - a much more soothing effect. Is there anything causing you to worry? Fresh air, exercise, water - those are all great. Try to get out in the early evening and do a long walk. A big thing - don't try to force it...don't lie there thinking "I have to get some sleep"...it becomes an issue in itself. If sleep isn't coming, get up and read. Sit up for a bit and wait until you feel groggy...it sometimes comes faster that way (than "focusing" on sleeping). I feel for you, it's tough. I used to have so much worry that I rarely slept more than 2 hours at a time...I was lucky to get 30-40 hours sleep a week. It'll come. Just focus on all of the above, some good advice here. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MRAY Posted May 13, 2014 Share Posted May 13, 2014 I usually just listen to talk shows on the Team and itll usually calm me down for the night. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Vancouver Connection Posted May 13, 2014 Share Posted May 13, 2014 well anxiety and panic attacks are more of a medical issue.what medicine was given to you? it can take weeks if not months for certain medications to take effects.a big thing is to figure out triggers.also, exercise is a huge stress reliever and anxiety reliever, you'll be surprised how well it works.best of luck to you. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
khay Posted May 13, 2014 Share Posted May 13, 2014 Lots of good advices. I never work up with a panic attack but when I was having some anxiety issues, the thing that I did that helped was... to address the anxiety. Get to the bottom of it, solved it, then I slept easier. I don't know if your problem is the type that can be solved or not but if it is, try to address it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
surtur Posted May 13, 2014 Share Posted May 13, 2014 These are very weird advices. lol the first was not a serious one just something that happened to me lol. but the other with water i found that if i didn't drink a large glass of water before bed i would get extreme anxiety and restlessness while trying to sleep. no idea why but basically i would make myself go crazy trying to sleep.just thought i would suggest it since it did work for me and my doctor couldn't really help me other then do some tests and offer me some drugs. yet a glass of water was all i needed before bed lol. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
c00kies Posted May 13, 2014 Share Posted May 13, 2014 Study. I know whenever I have to I feel sleepy I know how it is with insomnia, I usually get four hours of sleep and I'll be alright in the morning (other than looking baked). I know this is going to sound weird, but maybe you're sexually frustrated. This could definitely keep someone up, especially since you might be focused on that. I would recommend a release of some sort (meditation, hanky panky, etc...) to help with this. Yoga and meditation are generally very good options. Addressing the stressor may help, such as studying for an upcoming test instead of just trying to sleep. If you can't fall asleep, stop trying and get out of bed. Do something else. If you do other things in bed (play games, etc...), stop doing them and only use your bed for sleep. You will associate your bed with sleep and none of those other things; context effects driven. A lukewarm (body temperature) bath may help as well. Try a new sleeping environment, such as a comfy couch. You could be psychologically inferring your current sleeping arrangement with an inability to sleep, so a new place may help. Paint the walls a darker colour. Edit: another biggie, remove clocks from sight. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
asian player Posted May 13, 2014 Share Posted May 13, 2014 lots and lots of push ups don't think about anything. Empty your mind Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LuckyLuciano Posted May 13, 2014 Share Posted May 13, 2014 -6-8 sets of squats 3-4 hours before bed, as heavy as you can go (5-8 reps) -3-5mg melatonin 45-60min before bed -3 caps of zma/omega = amazing sleep + raging morning wood Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
schlaBAM Posted May 13, 2014 Share Posted May 13, 2014 Try avoiding screen time for at least an hour before bed. Also, I generally read before bed, as it calms my brain down and gets me more ready for sleep. I used to have more insomnia and anxiety problems when I was younger. Never any panic or anxiety attacks, though. It seems like kind of lame advice, but the way I got over it was to just stop caring about it. If I have insomnia, I just accept that I'm gonna be tired the next morning and live with it. I don't freak out about it and whatnot, I just relax and accept the fact. Ironically enough, I fall asleep eventually that way. Even if I don't, I'm relaxed and not freaking out. This is good advice - however, I just downloaded an app called F.lux (http://justgetflux.com) that adapts the brightness/hue of your computer by what time of day it is, and generally turns on right around sunset. It really helps with being able to close your laptop and fall asleep within 15 minutes. Something else to try if you're a late night user! White noise is also another alternative, maybe alternative "herbs" as well, but that varies from person to person. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gmen81 Posted May 13, 2014 Share Posted May 13, 2014 Put on a movie and I'm out before they get to the movie title. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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