Mind too active - less sleep..

[CountryWolf07]

I feel for you - there have been times in my life when "Sleep was the enemy!" either because I couldn't or because I had bad dreams. I have always had sleep issues. Did you have nightmares or sleep problems when you were a child?

Sweet dreams (I hope!)
Cathy

I did have nightmares when I was a child, but I rarely have them now. I do dream a lot, though! Most of the time, it's connected to my emotions.

I'll try a sleeping aid if I need to. Maybe working out would help as well - worth a shot!

Haha, I haven't done that in a while, skipping a night's sleep, and that was last year in college!

[Pembroke_Corgi]

I never had sleep problems until I became pregnant. Now, I have the same problem sometimes. I have no trouble falling asleep, but if I wake up in the middle of the night, I can't fall back asleep. Right now I have an infected wisdom tooth that is impacted, so I'm in a lot of pain every night even with Tylenol 3, so I haven't slept much the last few days. I can't wait to get this stupid tooth out!

I would talk to your doctor if your sleep issues are interfering with your daily activities.

[Marigold2]

When I can't sleep I get up and do some light exercise, very light, just flexing and after 10 minutes or so my mucles relax and off to sleep I go. Good luck.
Something that always puts me to sleep is the sound of rain, perhaps a CD in your bedroom with a soft rain shower would help.

[Catherinedana]

Something that always puts me to sleep is the sound of rain, perhaps a CD in your bedroom with a soft rain shower would help.

That's a good idea. I have a couple of CDs that never fail to get me to sleep initially. But it's sleeping through the night that's the problem.

I think folks like us who had sleep issues as children never actually grow out of them. . .it's just part of our make up and we may just have to learn to live with them.

Don't use sleep aids - they will make your sleep an utter mess. Do the best you can with natural things as Medusa suggested, relaxation methods and be mindful of what you do before bed (eating or drinking, scary or upsetting movies or TV, etc).

[Taz_Zoee]

Melatonin worked for me several years ago. I tried it again more recently and it had the opposite affect on me. It actually made me have the problem you are having now. I'd wake up in the middle of the night and not be able to go back to sleep.
I NEVER sleep through the night. EVER! Sunday night I went to bed at 8:30 and got up at 5:30, but woke up several times. Last night I went to bed around 11:30-midnight and woke up at 5am. I think your body gets used to less sleep eventually. It's not fun, but I've adapted.
The best nights sleep I've had in a long time was at my moms when it was just ME. Bruce wasn't there and neither were the dogs. I slept SOOO good!

I agree with the exercise idea. I should try it sometime too.

[sparks19]

hmmm I will also have to try melatonin.

I too have trouble sleeping. I've been like this as long as I can remember. I sleep for three or four hours and then I wake up in the middle of the night and my brain is running wild and I can't quiet it. I'm up for about two hours and then finally start to drift back off. I will fall asleep HARD for an hour.. to the point I have a dream... but then I wake up again and realize I hardly slept any time at all. it's quite annoying.

[Catty1]

I am sleeping better lately...I had thought about getting tested for sleep apnea or something like it, apparently sleeping and not feeling rested is a major symptom of that. I might still.

When I was in broadcasting school, after a day of radio and visual, my mind would just RUN instant replays over and over. The ONLY thing that helped was a warm/hot bath. Slept like a baby. I was/am not in the bath habit, so MADE myself do it, but it was sure worth it!