Sleep?

[Sandles2Sidearm]

I have had some trouble getting to sleep lately. My job is getting exponentially more stressful, but I have had much more difficult schedules in the past, balancing school and work.

I am pretty anxious about my perspective jobs, but I know that can be helped on my end, at least at this point.

I really don't know if its a combination of increased activity at work combined with the hope of moving into a new career, but the past week I have been waking up at 600 and bedding down anywhere from 200 to 300. Three hours is cutting it pretty lean for me, I can do it comfortably for about a week, but its begining to take a toll.

I havn't had this issue in about 4 years, since I was working on ambulances and then I am pretty sure it was stress driven.

Is there anything you guys do to help get the rest our bodies need?

My work out schedule 1.5 hours in the mornings and three days a week I add 1-2 hours in the evening as well, I could do more but I don't know if running the risk of injury is worth the exhaustive sleep it would provide.

[Flippy]

When I have to run EMS calls during the night it totally screws my sleep pattern up and it takes me a few days to get back to normal. I need my sleep!

If you can, try to go to bed around the same time every night. This will help your body adjust. Also, no caffeine after 5:00 PM or so. A bath or shower before bed helps me to sleep well, so you may want to try that.

[bosco]

Reid,
I've read that working out in the evening is not good because it gets you all wired and pumped up so you can't sleep. "Experts" say not to watch TV, work or mess around on the comp in bed (all of which I do). Otherwise you will associate the bed with other busy activities. I've been having similar problems (not as severe though). I wake up earlier than usual not because I'm anxious about going to FLETC. Falling asleep isn't too bad for me. Personally I watch TV or read to fall asleep. Maybe you could try some herbal tea before bed...decaff of course.

[ATF SAC]

Suggest you take a step back and gain some perspective. Stress on the job, stress about applications and now stress about not getting enough sleep. Bit of the "White Rabbit" syndrome, I'm late, I'm late, gotta go, gotta go. No you don't, examine the causes of stress, and realize that while you cannot always control the circumstances you can in fact control your reaction to them.

Getting wired a little?, Pause, close your eyes, take several deep breaths, visualize something peaceful and serene. Just go at it symptomatically- I am stressing therefore I am going to relax for a moment. Try to recognize that some of what is stressing you is entirely out of your control. Do you figure that if you only sleep 3 hours a night, the folks working on your applications are going to get up at 2am to speed the process for you? I don't but the idea makes me smile, you can do that too, it's relaxing.

Probably a good time to take a vacation day on a Friday and treat yourself to a long weekend. No maniacal working out, maybe just some nice walks or a bike ride.

Not a big fan of medicating, but there is a reason for Tylenol PM. Just a couple over a few days to break the cycle of laying awake going, "Must sleep, must sleep, lot's going on, must get rest"


Lastly, sit down and make a nice long list of everything that is stressing you out. Move everything you cannot affect personally to a column called, "Gone to a Higher Power to Resolve" just like in a step program. Look at the things you can affect and rank order them. Then write the single most important or effective thing you can do to move them from stressors to resolved and do those things. Simply put, rather than reacting to stress, you can take control over some of the causes or put some of them aside. Then you can sleep like a baby, comfortable in the knowledge that you are doing all that can be done.

[Sandles2Sidearm]

Slept like a fat baby the other night. And the insomnia has subsided. I appreciate your responses, and have applied much of it.

Evening workout, earlier in the evening (before 1900)
No TV in bed
Reading to make me tired
Cut all the way back on caffine, but wasn't really a big deal anyway

And most importantly taking a long weekend, day after tomorrow.

Thanks again,

Reid the sleep endowed oclg

ps

I don't think I am going to be able to set aside the anxiousness that revolves around the "process" but I am trying to get it to the back, rather than the forefront of my mind. This is the one thing this board is no good at....:D Though this forum has helped.

[Ozarks911]

You've received awsome replies and I'm glad you've acted upon them and it's working. Just keep it up. Another thing I try when stressed and unable to sleep is to meditate and recite the Serenity Prayer. My hours vary and it's impossible to have a consistant sleep pattern. No caffine for three hours before bed; no hot showers or exercise before bed; watch tv in the living room (and not in bed according to the experts as that is for sleeping and, you know, only -- but, sometimes a good movie puts me right to sleep).

Keep it up and sweet dreams!

Michelle

[Virgilthetiger]

FYI,


there are new generation sleeping pills that are non (or less) addictive from your MD.

however in the long term I suggest removing the stressor rather that using drugs.

virgil