Why does this happen?

Why cant I sleep when I can? And want to sleep when I cant? It’s maddening! I have never had sleep issues – not insomnia anyways. Think I have been the opposite, maybe sleep too much. Is this part of senior sunsetting? Is it part of menopause? No wonder woman have been known to kill themselves or somebody else? LOL… I wake up at 1:30am most mornings, telling myself to go back to sleep, you have a long day ahead to face, then I toss & turn, then I try to watch tv hoping it will lure me back to sleep, then I write for a bit, then I get annoyed as all hell! I dont know whether to get up and do something or just watch the digital minutes pass by. Slowly, the Sandman lulls me back to sleep…bout a 1/2 hour before the alarm goes off 6 of 7 days a week. I tell you…retirement cannot come to soon, then I can sleep when my body wants to, not when I want to. Suggestions…

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  1. I used to be like that, but as long as you relax your body will get the rest it needs. I know just lie in bed, close my eyes and just breathe. It can be hard training your mind not to get worried and annoyed. Once you do you will feel so much better in the mornings. Well its worth a try anyway. Happy dreams.

      1. I agree with Blink Helen, I used to worry about not getting enough rest to successfully fulfil all my obligations and I did exactly what Blink suggested, and told my self as long as I am resting all will work out and it does. I started by picturing a beautiful gardenia bud and imagined the petals opening one by one. To this day this calming image still puts me to sleep. Sweet dreams love xxx

  2. Get yourself a male friend to sleep with Helen…Then you can turn your back to him and pretend to be asleep when he shows “Interest”….Pretty soon you will nod off…
    C,mon,Its one of the basic arts of being a woman…lol 🙂

  3. I count backwards by threes starting with …three thousand …two thousand nine hundred and ninety-seven …two thousand nine hundred and ninety four …two thousand nine hundred ninety one … Two thousand eight hundred and ninety eight …and so on …soon you need to focus all your attention on the numbers not to make a mistake …that sends you right off to sleep . It always works for me ! You have to make it hard , if you make it easy …like counting backwards by fives or twos it won’t be as effective ! Good luck ! Lol xx

  4. Hels,
    I know exactly what you mean! It’s awful, lying awake at night, knowing you have to get up soon and watching the hours tick away…. I play a silly game in my mind that sometimes works…. and don’t laugh, lol! I will pick a catagory, like famous movie stars and go through the alphabet and try to think of a name for each one in the alphabet. Sounds a bit silly but sometimes it does work.
    They say the worst thing to do is try to fight it, so just try to relax and think any rest you get is better than none.
    Hoping you find dreamland soon .
    lol, i liked cappaccino’s suggestion, lmao at that one!!
    xxxxxxxxxellie

  5. My way of relaxing for sleep is to think of a lovely place I know…usually a lonely beach in Cyprus. It’s night, there’s a beautiful starry sky, and the moon on the horizon is painting a silver pathway across the sea. In the distance, there’s a tune played on a flute…I relax my fingers and toes, then arms and legs, bit by bit, then all my body.
    Actually, after writing that, I could do with a nap now!

  6. The following comment is taken from this website
    http://www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au/bhcv2/bhcarticles.nsf/pages/Sleep_problems_insomnia

    Home remedies for short-term insomnia

    Reducing anxiety and sticking to a day–night routine can improve sleep quality. Suggestions include:
    Don’t nap during the day.
    Cut down on smoking and drinking.
    Avoid tea, coffee and other caffeinated drinks before bed.
    Don’t exercise strenuously before bedtime.
    Do something to relax, such as meditate or have a warm bath.
    Only go to bed if you feel sleepy.
    Go to bed later.
    Stop reading, worrying or watching television in bed and limit your activities in the bedroom to sleeping and sex.
    If you can’t sleep, get up, go to another room and do something else until you feel sleepy again.
    Get up at the same time every morning regardless of how much sleep you have had.
    Avoid ‘judging’ your sleep on a day-to-day basis.