Anyone know a fail-safe cure for anxiety-rooted insomnia?

I've GOT to get a good night's sleep Tuesday night, or I'll fail my Wednesday midterm.

Let's see--stayed up all night Sunday night/Monday morning for no good reason, went to bed at 5 PM yesterday, woke up at 11:30 PM, and I've been up ever since.

Obviously I don't know how much you get, but I have found in my own life, that I only have trouble sleeping when I don't exert myself physically on a given day or week. I'm not a health nut--my livelihood involves sitting on my ass and staring at a computer, and sad to say, a lot of my leisure time is spent the same way. But if I ride my bike, or even take a long walk, or work up a sweat some other way, I sleep like a rock. I had a job in SF unloading trucks and moving file boxes around, and I remember I couldn't stay up past 9:30 pm in those days.

Get some real sweat-inducing exercise during the day -- not too close to bed time, preferably before 4 pm. Whenever I get into a period of insomnia I know I need to start exercising regularly again. And I start to sleep better instantly, the same day I start, and wake up feeling more refreshed, too.

Preferably the big iron skillet kind.

Melatonin helps regulate sleep and GABA is an amino acid that does a great job with calming down the brain.

Melatonin makes me feel completely zoned out the next day.

Exercise is good. Even a long walk around 6 PM will help. Another possibility -yoga. Do a quick google for restorative yoga poses. A good ones is legs up the wall (google)

that usually does the trick for first timers

I think I'm going to cut the tablet in half next time I try it.

Of course, make sure the tea is caffeine-free. Chamomile is good. Right before bed.

Here's hoping you get a good sleep tonight! :toast:

Because I'd be a millionaire, I'm sure! But I'll echo the exercise suggestion as a safe, non-drug way to do it. But don't do anything that's going to make you very sore, or you'll be awake for other reasons.

If a drug is what you're seeking, I'd suggest Benadryl (though it doesn't work for everyone). It works TOO well for me, so I opt for the childrens liquid so I can regulate the dosage. About half of a teaspoon of it for me knocks me out, but doesn't make me feel too groggy in the morning.

Best wishes for you on your mid-terms!

A glass of wine or some other mild form of self-medication wouldn't hurt either.

doesn't matter how... just exert yourself at some point during the afternoon / evening. Also it might help to eat a good, filling meal early in the evening.

Then closer to bedtime, if you can, have a warm, relaxing soak in the tub, followed by a cup of herbal tea, preferably valerian.

Then when you get into bed, do some deep breathing exercises. Breathe in very slowly, filling your lungs up till you literally can't take in any more air... then try to let the air out very slowly (this will be hard at first but it will get easier). Do that several times, concentrating on filling your lungs up and emptying them from the bottom of your lungs first. It sounds weird, I know, but trust me. Also, while you're doing that, consciously relax all your muscles. I find it easiest when I focus on one area at a time, visualizing my muscles turning into liquid and melting onto the bed.

Then think happy thoughts that you'd like to dream about and drift to sleep.

Good luck! :hi: