Why is my sleeping so weird?

[tinamn]

During college I went through a period where I obsessed over things and had anxiety. I would try to do things to calm down, like playing solitaire on my computer, but then when I would try to sleep my brain wouldn’t shut off and I’d be playing solitaire in my head all night long.

I did end up taking medication for my anxiety, short term. It helped, but I also learned a lot about myself and what I can/can’t do - and I think those things helped more.

For instance, I can’t do anything super repetitive for very long or my brain takes over an obsesses. Card games, computer games, even crocheting or repetitive piano playing. It’s not that I can’t do these things ever, I just need to make sure to limit myself.

I also can’t have caffeine after about noon, and I don’t eat anything after 7pm. Exercise can help if I do happen to have caffeine later in the day, or have done something too repetitive.

I also think about what is making my brain “go go go” and get up and write it down. Usually for me it’s things I’m worried I’ll forget to do the next day, or things I’m worried about with my kids/husband/finances. If I write them down, it’s like a release for my brain and I can usually get to sleep after that.

Beyond that, sometimes I’ll just get up and do things. I don’t do that often, because I don’t want to screw up my sleeping patterns, but if I do have one night out of several that I just don’t seem to be able to go to sleep, I’ll work, or fold laundry or something quiet. Sometimes even moving to a different location can help.

I would say though, it would be good to talk to a doctor, and medicine isn’t always evil. Sometimes we need that extra boost to get through things!

 

[Mike_tn]

Caffeine has the opposite effect on many, especially ADD.

I know for me, a cup of coffee hypes me up for about 30 minutes, than I want a nap. It is almost like a sugar high, than crash.

Interesting, God made us unique. The answer needs to come from the person suffering.
And good ideas above from bitterhope
Therese11:

Please pray this will stop, this happens quite often and it can be very frustrating

Say short prayer any time, especially when feeling tense, like a line from Psalms or Isaiah 12, but you can make it up and use those as a guide. I mean you don’t have to be exact on words, that just would cause more of the excess worry you are hoping to avoid, God would not want more worry for you either so pray briefly some personalized holy scripture lines anytime, while in grocery lines, in hallways, on sidewalks, while driving. The Morning & Evening Divine Office is good to get your mind in the habit. Then during the day when you are feeling rushed or frantic, it would be second nature to say “I am confident & unafraid because my strength & courage comes from the Lord.” for example. And if you can’t think of more, then you can repeat it, or not, as you like.

 

[bmaj]

There are lots of good suggestions above, Therese. If none of them help, it’s probably best to ask your doctor, but I’d try the tips given first if you’re able to and if it’s not too severe. If you happen to be in your late 40’s or over, it can be a very common problem, especially for women. Reading in bed with a very dim book light until you can’t keep your eyes open any longer can help some people to fall asleep quicker. I say an Act of Contrition over and over silently in my mind if I happen to wake up in the middle of the night, and that helps a lot, too. If you wake up and remember part of a dream you just had, it can also help to keep your eyes closed (don’t look at the clock!), try to think of that dream and “continue” it as you go quickly back to sleep - as long as it was a pleasant one! Also try not to drink too many fluids in the evening so that a full bladder doesn’t wake you up. Good luck, and God bless.

 

[The_Old_Maid]

For some people a general background-sound machine can help. (The sort of thing that plays waterfalls, ocean waves, rain, etc.)

A better way might be to turn on a talking book when you go to bed at night. Don’t choose a title on an irritating topic or one narrated with an irritating voice.The gentle droning of a single voice can provide just enough background sound to cover the worry-voices in your mind.

For example, The Hobbit was meant to be read aloud. In fact it can be better to play and play and play something you’ve heard before. That way, you won’t be straining to stay awake to hear what happens next.

 

[Tomdstone]

For some people a general background-sound machine can help. (The sort of thing that plays waterfalls, ocean waves, rain, etc.)

A better way might be to turn on a talking book when you go to bed at night. Don’t choose a title on an irritating topic or one narrated with an irritating voice.The gentle droning of a single voice can provide just enough background sound to cover the worry-voices in your mind.

These are good suggestions. What I especially like about them is that they do not involve taking drugs.

 

[Rosebud77]

These are good suggestions. What I especially like about them is that they do not involve taking drugs.

Me too… I turn off the computer mid to late afternoon unless I have a really really bad night. I read and do easy knitting… Cheating a little as the codeine I need for the pain at night often makes me sleepy.

It is the easing down of acitivity, like the slowing down at the end of stressful exercise. Makes so much sense…

And these days when I am rarely needing to be anywhere at a set time i tell myself it is annoying but not really important…

Last night I slept through 9 hours on minimal pain relief and am deeply thankful…