ealgylden | (no subject)

Current Mood: exhausted
Current Music: "The Fifth Heaven"- Emma Shapplin

(no subject)

Does anyone know any good ways to combat insomnia? Ways other than drugs or warm milk, that is. My ability to sleep has vanished entirely the past couple of weeks, and while that's not unusual, this time it's really bugging me. I miss having things like an attention span, or the energy to accomplish, well, anything.

Typing is not a happy thing right now, so I'll do comments and email later and instead just post a link: a review of the two-disc DVD of Master and Commander, which will be released in April. It was already a must-have for me on principle, but this review makes it sound even must-havier. So many weeks to wait!

Okay, I'm off to stare at the walls until NCIS. Yay, Ducky episode! That'll almost be worth sleep-deprivation hallucinations.

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Meditation is good, and chamomile tea (Sleepytime).

Ah, meditation. I hadn't thought of that one, thanks very much!

I've had periods of time where I just could. not. settle. into a sleep schedule. When I wanted to be awake, I was exhausted. When I wanted to be asleep, I was wide awake.

Other than just waiting for it to pass, and catching up on sleep by hibernating for a full weekend, the only thing that I found that worked was adding more exercise to my days... that way, I was physically exhausted even though the gears in my head were still spinning. I did manage to sleep then, in spite of the gears. I drank more water during the first two-thirds of the day, too, but I don't know if that was just a good thing to do with increasing the exercise or if it helped at all with the sleep thing.

Also, I cut back on what little caffeinated stuff I consume, but that didn't seem to make much difference in the insomnia, only the panic feelings that snuck up on me at odd times in the middle of the night if I was awake.

{{{{{{{{{{{hugs}}}}}}}}}}}}

When I wanted to be awake, I was exhausted. When I wanted to be asleep, I was wide awake.

That's it exactly, and it's driving me up the wall and down the other side. Your suggestions sound helpful, though, so I'll have to try them. Hopefully something will work. I can't just keep watching Labyrinth and The Dark Crystal over and over into the wee hours- I'll end up batty!

Thanks muchly, Elke! {{{{ hugs }}}}

*is amused*

I'm almost glad I'm not the only one watching these films into the wee hours... but yeah, I'm there with you on the batty-ness.

Good luck!

I'm no help about anything ( I lie awake a lot but not so much that I can't function) but I brought Richard to maybe cheer you up.

Yay, Richard! Richard is indeed cheering, and I love that icon. He and Howard were both so very cute at the Oscars (of course, so was everyone). A most satisfying evening, even if I was too blah to post my squeeing. For once I was glad there were no upsets (though I wish M&C had come out some other year).

Ooh, what a wonderful review! I'm all bouncy now :) Dude, the Interactive Cannon Demonstration, eee! Deleted scenes! I can't wait to get these DVDs.

I can only second the recommendation for chamomile tea. With honey, it's a great relaxation tool. Sorry you've been hit with a bout of insomnia *hugs*

Hee, I saw that Interactive Cannon Demonstration and thought of you immediately. April's so far away, I want them now!

I'll definitely have to get some more chamomile tea, then. Usually I have it on hand, but naturally as soon as I need it, I'm out. I wouldn't mind so much if I were able to be productive while I'm not sleeping, but it doesn't seem to be working out like that. Grrr.

We're so impatient :) It seems there's always something new and shiny that we need to hurry up and wait for.

Isn't that always the way? The minute you want something, you don't have it handy. I hope you were able to get to sleep last night. *sends you somnolent vibes*

Possibly TMI (highlight):

Lavender is also supposed to help.

Mmmmm, M&C DVD!

Ha! So that's why I slept so much better back in college. *g* And I think I have a lavender-stuffed pillow around here someplace, so I'll definitely have to find it. Thanks for the tip!

Avoiding insomnia: not my specialty. Getting lots of exercise is the only sure bet for me.

M&C DVD review: THANK YOU!

Heh, sure thing. I thought you'd like the looks of the DVDs. I'm glad that they're lavishing so much care on them, since the movie certainly deserves it. But April's still so far away! I hate to wait.

And thanks for the exercise tip. Even if it doesn't help me sleep, it can't hurt, right?

My sympathies, hon. Insomnia and I are old, old friends. Soaking in a hot bath helps, especially when combined with Kiss My Face's Anti-Stress Bath and a nice mug of chamomile tea. I've also been known to use Benadryl as an alternative to heavy duty sleep aides, but it doesn't always work.

Yeah, I thought you might be the voice of bitter experience. *g* If I hadn't already sympathized, this would have done it easily. Thanks for the tips! Anti-Stress Bath has been added to the shopping list (I'm a big Kiss My Face fan, so it's nice to have an excuse for once). I hadn't thought of Benadryl, since Nyquil makes me wired and jittery, but I don't think it's the same active ingredients, so if nothing else works, I may try it. Really, thanks so much.

No helpful hints, alas, but thank you for the link to that excellent review. Another DVD I Must Own.

You're welcome. I thought I was impatient for the DVD before, but after getting a good look at the extras and all, I'm practically pacing. It really looks wonderful.

Hate that insomnia!... what works best for me is getting up and reading. Usually this takes my mind off of whatever, and tires the brain out enough to sleep, though it may take an hour or so. as mentioned before, benadryl or tylenol PM (same ingredient) works for me too, I use that alot if it's not too late. and a hot bath is my other favorite.
Hugs, jenbug
ps sorry about the anonymous post - can't get LJ to send me that confirmation email somehow...
pps go on IM sometime i have some very good news to tell you...

Hey, Jen! Don't worry about it- LJ is often lame. I'll be on and off IM randomly all week, so hopefully we'll overlap. Good news, yay! *g* And yeah, I've done lots and lots of reading. I wish I could use all of this extra time I have for posting here, but no such luck- I'm awake, but not able to focus very well. I'll have to try a hot bath, though. Something has to work eventually, right?

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