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insomnia - 12/11/2013 3:09:07 AM

bestkptsecret303

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I've been dancing with insomnia for about twelve years now, or since the beginning of puberty - which I still think should have come with an instruction manual (preferably illustrated by Theodor Geisel and narrated by Roald Dahl).

Insomniac episodes happen often. One to two nights a week, I don't sleep at all. It doesn't seem to affect my cognitive function as much as may be expected. If I miss enough sleep, my balance and fine motor skills do start to suffer.

I like to take advantage of the extra free time and be productive. Usually I'll read, or throw something wonderful in the oven to bake while I deep-clean the house (right now the kitchen and bathrooms are spotless, I have homemade biscuits for egg sandwiches and homemade cinnamon rolls made so my lovely primary has a choice for breakfast, and I'm halfway through a Thomas Hardy novel)...but sometimes I just lay in bed glaring at the ceiling and resenting the universe for not letting me relax.

There is a history of substance addiction in my family so I tend to shy away from pharmaceutical remedies. I like chamomile, linden, honey lavender, or peppermint tea, but it doesn't help. Melatonin, valerian, and tryptophan (usually combined in an herbal supplement) work sometimes, but not regularly. I love caffeine but I stop drinking coffee and black tea and 1pm if not sooner. Smoking medical marijuana does help, but not every time.

As much as I enjoy the bonus free time, sometimes I'd rather get some sleep.
Do you lovely kinky people have any advice?

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RE: insomnia - 12/11/2013 3:44:59 AM

Blonderfluff

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The only thing that helps me is exercise and yoga.
If I skip it, I don't sleep.
I also do my yoga breathing and meditate right before it's time to sleep. I still have nights where I only get 3-4 hours of sleep, but it's the exception now, and not the rule.

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RE: insomnia - 12/11/2013 4:30:32 AM

ChatteParfaitt

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From: The t'aint of the Midwest -- Indiana
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Do you practice good sleep hygiene?

Go to bed at the same time, get up at the same time.
Limit caffeine.
Don't have a heavy meal or do heavy exercise before bed. Avoid too much alcohol.
Establish a relaxing bedtime routine.

Here's a good link

http://www.sleepfoundation.org/article/ask-the-expert/sleep-hygiene

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RE: insomnia - 12/11/2013 10:14:49 AM

OsideGirl

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The thing that worked for me was a liquid vitamin called Passion 4 Life. It wasn't a goal when I started taking it, just a pleasant side effect.

http://www.passion4lifevitamins.com/

I recently did Zarbees Night Time which has Zinc, Vitamin C and Melatonin. It knocked me right out.

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RE: insomnia - 12/11/2013 12:01:50 PM

Kitsuneboi

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From: Oceanside, CA
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Sometimes when someone cannot sleep it means they have not used up enough energy during the day.

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RE: insomnia - 12/11/2013 12:09:56 PM

mnottertail

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self hypnotism long as it takes, relax comfortably on your back no crossing of nothing..........

feel my toes relax...relax...relax....
feel my shins relax...relax...
my knees...rlx
my thighs
my pelvis
my inner organs
my thorax, my neck my face and ears, and finally my brain
and imagine the sun in your face, you are on a white sand beach and the waves of relaxation gently washing over you from toe to head, and inside, from toe to head rhythmically rhythmically.......spruce that up and tell yourself how relaxed, at peace and empty you are.....all warm and snuggly..........

sooner or later, you drop.

Embellish it.

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RE: insomnia - 12/11/2013 1:00:34 PM

kalikshama

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Sublingual melatonin always helps me get to sleep, but sometimes I wake up, most often at 4 AM.

20 minutes of cardiovascular exercise, could be as simple as walking, really makes a big difference in my ability to sleep through the night.

I try to not consume liquids after 6, or eat too close to bedtime, but do need to make sure I have had enough to eat, cuz being hungry will wake me up too.

OP - do read up on sleep hygiene like Chatte suggested above. Here's another link: http://umm.edu/programs/sleep/patients/sleep-hygiene

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RE: insomnia - 12/11/2013 10:38:55 PM

dollparts85

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From: NY
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Have you tried kava?

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RE: insomnia - 12/12/2013 12:17:02 PM

MistressDarkArt

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Ohhhhh yeah, the insomnia monster, I've known that b*stard well for 25 years now

quote:

The only thing that helps me is exercise and yoga. If I skip it, I don't sleep. I also do my yoga breathing and meditate right before it's time to sleep.

This is true for me as well. I find yoga nidras ('yogic sleep': meditations where the body is systematically relaxed part by part, mentally, with no body movement) to be most helpful. Do a search for yoga nidra online until you find one you respond to; many are free.

quote:

Smoking medical marijuana does help, but not every time.

You may benefit from indica-based edibles and tinctures. The sleepy effects last hours longer than smoking (imo, bad idea) or vaping marijuana. Edibles take a while to fully kick in (1-2 hours for most folks) so you could enjoy a lollipop or cookie about that length of time before you actually want to be asleep, or have your edible later in the evening but vaporize a bit to get you to sleep right away. About the time the vapor is wearing off, your edible will kick in. Do an edible too late and you'll wake up sluggish. Tinctures are also good to keep by your bed if you wake up and can't get back to sleep.

You'll have to experiment with different timing and strains to find what works best for you. Avoid sativas or sativa-dominant strains; too dang speedy. I chose strains that avoid 'head high' and provide more of a muscle-relaxant body effect. This way I'm better able to focus on the meditation instead of having a racing mind and restless body.

Also, experiment with your sleep position. Right side lights up brain activity, left side slows it down. You can start on the right for a few minutes to let your thoughts process, then turn over when it's time to shut it down.

While on your side, try a heating pad along your back/neck supported by a long pillow which tapers to your back contours. Put a pillow between your knees, and another in front of you to 'hug', thus supporting your arms/hands. Make sure your neck pillows are just right. Our bodies like to feel warm and have something supporting them everywhere they feel uncomfortable/vulnerable. Providing that support in the way of heat/pillows/blankets tells our limbic system to relax.

I hope this helps. Sweet dreams!

< Message edited by MistressDarkArt -- 12/12/2013 12:39:04 PM >

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RE: insomnia - 12/12/2013 12:43:44 PM

MistressDarkArt

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quote:

ORIGINAL: mnottertail

self hypnotism long as it takes, relax comfortably on your back no crossing of nothing..........

feel my toes relax...relax...relax....
feel my shins relax...relax...
my knees...rlx
my thighs
my pelvis
my inner organs
my thorax, my neck my face and ears, and finally my brain
and imagine the sun in your face, you are on a white sand beach and the waves of relaxation gently washing over you from toe to head, and inside, from toe to head rhythmically rhythmically.......spruce that up and tell yourself how relaxed, at peace and empty you are.....all warm and snuggly..........

sooner or later, you drop.

Embellish it.

This is an example of yoga nidra meditation. For some people, it helps to start with an externally-provided spoken meditation (on your phone or mp3 player). After listening to the meditation several times, it becomes second nature and you can do it on your own.

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