Statepalace
Posts: 185
Joined: 9/20/2007 Status: offline
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As a (former) chronic insomniac, lets start with the basics. 1. Stimulants. Big fat no. Cut out caffeine completely. Do it on a Friday, so you can suffer the withdrawal effects on the weekend and not have to deal with a raging headache and class at the same time. 2. Sleep hygiene. You can Google those words for more ideas, but it basically means keeping your sleeping area JUST for sleep. This means NO lights, cool and quiet, inviting bed. Get new sheets if you can, turn your mattress, something to make the bed more appealing. Do not do anything other than sleep (or have sex) while in/on your bed. This might be hard if you're in a dorm or have a small room where you use your bed as a couch/desk/table, but it is very, very important that your brain think "sleep" when you lie down. Stop reading IN bed. If you can't sleep, get out of your bed and sit on the floor and read if you have to. 3. Melatonin and/or Valerian root. Both over the counter and available at most big grocery stores. Read the directions, enjoy. I would try this on a Friday night with nothing to do Saturday, because it might make you oversleep a little bit. 4. Schedule. Make yourself get up, even if you don't have anything to do. Make yourself lie down and count sheep by a certain (reasonable) time. Having your body associate certain actions/times/clothes with bed can help. 5. Check your meds, if you're taking any. Zoloft gave me awful insomnia, and now that I'm off it I fall asleep much more easily.
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And if I cease to desire and remain still, the empire will be at peace of its own accord
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