Hi Sherry,
I've dealt with insomnia on and off for years, so I can relate to what you're feeling. Here are some tips I've gathered over the years. (1)Avoid caffeine (obvious), and (2)avoid alcohol, as it may make it easier to fall asleep, but ultimately disrupts your sleep, leaving you tired. (3)Use your bedroom only for sleep and intimacy. Any work should be kept in another room so as to facilitate relaxation. (4)Try to establish a bedtime "routine", that involves things like stretching, herbal tea, reading, a bath, etc. This will help to signal your body to get ready for sleep. Make sure, however, that if you choose to bathe,your bath is not too hot, because raising your body temperature right before bedtime can keep you awake. Generally, your body temperature drops slightly before bedtime, signalling your body to fall asleep. For this reason, (5)exercising three or four hours before bed can also be helpful, as it raises your core temperature at first, but later lowers it slightly. Avoid exercising any closer to bedtime for these same reasons, as it may keep you awake.
These ideas may be helpful, but I would strongly suggest you go see your doctor. She can help you to decide if you need a medication like Ambien, discussed in an earlier post, to get you "over the hump", so to speak. As long as you're careful to follow your doctor's instructions, these drugs are quite safe and effective. Using the above techniques can help you to settle into a sleep routine as you're weaning yourself off the medication. Once you're able to actually sleep, it's helpful to go to bed and wake up at the same time each day, even on weekends. Yes, that's a drag, but you and I know the agony of the alternative, so I find it to be worth it.
I hope these ideas are of some help. Good luck, and go get some sleep, okay?
-Kate
