i always wanted to sleep early but fail. My mind seems to be working overtime and i only feel sleepy or tired after 1am in the morning...
is there anything wrong with me? Any suggestions.
rene
I can't tell if there's anything wrong with you.
However, a lot of people have the same problem of not being able to get to sleep as early as they'd like. I don't think that means they have something wrong with them, but mostly I reckon they'd be better off, if they could.
Certainly anyone who is trying to lose weight will find it easier to do if they can get an amount of sleep that helps them feel good. From what I've read, and from people I know, the amount needed seems to fluctuate from person to person.
Most of the time, I don't have a problem getting to sleep. I have a problem getting to bed, which is something different to you, by the sound of it. My ongoing issue is more to do with time management and self discipline. Just recently, I've had a few nights where I can't easily sleep, after I go to bed. That's different. That's because of some unusual circumstances I'm in - the night before my first day in a job that I've been working towards for 10 years, for example. For that, I'm just sorry I couldn't sleep better, but rather resigned. It's not a thing I can practice dealing with really.
So, falling asleep isn't too hard for me. If it was I would try the things they suggest for insomnia. These ideas are off the top of my head - if I had a problem I'd google for websites specific to the issue.
- Try to get up at the same time every day.
- Don't eat too close to bedtime - maybe have milk before bed, though.
- Consider the possibility of alcohol related issues - this can lead to sleep disturbances.
- Take time to unwind before trying to go to bed - an hour or so of relaxing activities - not exercising too close to bedtime, not going on the computer too close to bedtime, or doing doing intellectually stimulating activities, though reading may be helpful.
- Try to develop a regular routine that leads to bed.
- Get enough exercise (but earlier in the day, not late in the evening).
- Deal with issues that are causing stress.
That last point is something I need to do regardless of being able to sleep or not. I talk about it in this diary quite a bit. One of the things I do that has come up here a bit is relaxation exercises. Actually the relaxation exercise routine I follow is an amalgam of many I've tried and practiced over the years. Because of the practice, I can relax my body very fast. I have to do more to develop the mental side of of it though. There are heaps of exercises on tape/CD. I don't know about youtube, I wouldn't be surprised if they have stuff there though. I do know that many people listen to a CD to help them relax and fall asleep - maybe a relaxation exercise that directs them to think in specific ways, maybe just some appropriate music. I've also had a few people here suggest yoga, which sounds like a great idea, though I haven't tried it.
Spending time getting relaxed can be worthwhile, because some of the relaxed state stays after the exercise is over. Learning to switch the process on is worthwhile, because it can be used repeatedly during the day if necessary. Of course, dealing directly with underlying issues causing stress, may be necessary, but additionally, considering how we are reacting to stressful events can have a big impact. Maybe the events can't be changed, but our way of thinking about them can ie Is it necessary to be stressed about them? Our thoughts impact on our emotions. For example, if someone should be with us but they haven't arrived - how do we feel? Before we find out the real reason, the way we feel depends on what we think (believe), about why they aren't there.
The other benefit of a relaxation exercise, is that it can be developed and combined with meditation or positive ideas that we want to put into practice in our lives - things like affirmations. These can have positive benefits all of their own in terms of helping us to get to where we want with our lives in general and with weight loss.
I hope that all doesn't seem too OTT as a response to your post. I guess a lot of this is just a reflection of where I'm at with what I'm trying to do, and thinking about your issue has sent me back clarifying the ideas I've been trying to work on for myself. Obviously I don't know a lot about your own position.
Anytime, Im sorry I haven't been by for a bit.:huug2:
Im so glad the scale is moving and you are happy with itI finally have the scale moving too...who would have thunk I would be one of the few ppl that loose when on a permant over night and not gain but in all reeality my body really needs very little right now to function...Im never hungry with working the nights...
I'm glad to hear that things are working out for you. I saw your diary today because I went to new posts, which I haven't been doing lately. I don't think I've had the right diary on my subscription list - anyway, it's good to see that you're making progress. I really like the new do too.
With the 48 hr day, althought that would be dbl nights for me, LOL...
That was a bad night. I stayed in bed for a long time, but woke a lot. Early in the night I was dreaming I was in a new house which was too small and bare and in which I was trapped. I woke, yep my reality is better. I slept. My tummy got bitten. I slept. I woke. And in the morning I had a long complicated dream in which my husband and I adopted three African refugees. 
I know it well. Fucking muffins! 
Take care!