I couldn’t sleep at all last night. Not one single wink. So I got up and had my breakfast, the kids are gone to school and my papers are done. Great, I thought. The rest of the day I’ll spend sleeping, until the first school bus arrives.
Wrong. I lay down in bed… nothing. Still awake. After an hour and a half of trying (okay, maybe the two phone calls didn’t help) I’m up and trying to figure out what to do next. I have two blog posts I want to write… except doing anything is difficult because I can’t think straight and I can barely see straight. If I couldn’t touch-type I wouldn’t be writing this.
What does one do when they are too exhausted to sleep? I’m not sure how the hell I’m going to be able to look after my kids when they come home. I’ve never experienced such a thing before.
lindaghill.com 
September 25, 2013 at 11:12 am
I used to experience that quite often, but I’m happy to say it’s been a good, long while since. I always found that eating would bring sleep the following day. Once I calmed down enough to have a proper meal, I would crash. Generally, I would feel sick all day. Awful, awful business. 😦
LikeLike
September 24, 2013 at 2:27 am
The worse part of not sleeping is worrying about not sleeping. Hope you’ve managed to pass out by now.
LikeLike
September 24, 2013 at 8:57 am
It’s true! That is the worst.
I did get some sleep last night, thanks. 🙂
LikeLike
September 23, 2013 at 11:17 pm
I can’t stand those sorts of nights. I use 3mg time released melatonin when sleep won’t come. The times release doesn’t leave groggy feeling the next morning. Hope tonite is better for you…
Ellespeth
LikeLike
September 24, 2013 at 8:56 am
Thanks, Ellespeth. I did actually get some sleep. You’re the second person to mention melatonin… I’ll pick some up. 🙂
LikeLike
September 23, 2013 at 11:14 pm
Wow, a lot of good advice here. So all I have to add is that something worked and you finally get do get some rest. My fibro makes me dull minded all the time but lack of sleep makes me incapable of anything. Sending you soothing, boring thoughts so you can sleep. 😉
LikeLike
September 23, 2013 at 10:29 pm
Happens to me too when I have lots on my mind. The best method I found so far is to exhaust my body by doing long walks and taking a long hot shower or hot spa (onsen here in Japan) afterwards. A good cup of chamomile tea also helps.
LikeLike
September 23, 2013 at 5:01 pm
Can’t sleep is not a good thing. When it happens to me I try to think of pleasant things and then make up stories. I don’t worry about writing them down or anything they just flow and before I know it I am asleep.
LikeLike
September 23, 2013 at 5:51 pm
Haha! That’s half my problem – I can’t stop thinking about my novel, among other things. I need a happy place. 🙂
LikeLike
September 23, 2013 at 3:41 pm
Meditation practices before sleep and regular sleep hygiene helps me out.
LikeLike
September 23, 2013 at 5:49 pm
Excellent advice, thank you. I used to meditate every night before I went to sleep – about six years ago. I should get back into practice again.
LikeLike
September 23, 2013 at 2:41 pm
I did not sleep last night either but at 9:30 I just went back for a lie down, propped up pillows, ereader in hand and when my eyes closed, did not budge, no movement to disturb that sleep…I was in and out of REM for 90 mins but I will be able (I hope) to get through my shift tonight…sometimes you have to let things happen…I have no clock in my room either…nothing to make me worry…and fall asleep like a granny with book in hand but it works sometimes. Good luck!
LikeLike
September 23, 2013 at 2:46 pm
Thanks very much! I was on my ereader at 4am, but all that happened was the words stopped making sense. I need a more boring book I guess. 😛
LikeLike
September 23, 2013 at 2:26 pm
I have insomnia on a semi-regualr basis. Usually about once a week or so. Melatonin helps me…it makes you feel so tired that the thoughts aren’t able to race!
LikeLike
September 23, 2013 at 2:43 pm
That’s available at health food stores, isn’t it? Sounds like a wonderful alternative to sleeping pills.
LikeLike
September 23, 2013 at 3:35 pm
It is. It’s non habit forming and you can use it as often as you like. Your body produces it naturally on its own. Usually about 2.5 mg does it for me, but I think you can take as much as 10mg.
LikeLike
September 23, 2013 at 3:37 pm
Cool! Thanks so much! I’ll go look for some tomorrow, regardless of whether or not I get any sleep tonight. I may check the dosage I can give the child when he has a bad night too.
😀
LikeLike
September 23, 2013 at 2:07 pm
Oh my. I’m having the same problem lately, although there is usually some sleep, it’s not much and is hard to come by. Then I want to get things done since I’m awake and can’t because my brain wants to be asleep. The evil cycle. Wishing you sleep tonight.
LikeLike
September 23, 2013 at 2:42 pm
It IS a horrible cycle to get into. Thank you, I hope you get some as well.
LikeLike
September 23, 2013 at 1:29 pm
I hope you can get some rest… I myself write when I can’t sleep… I don’t work on projects because the thoughts are usually too incoherent, but the odd time I rattle off something good…
LikeLike
September 23, 2013 at 1:38 pm
I thought about trying that actually. With any luck maybe it’ll end with a bunch of zzzz’s. 😉
Thank you, Tim.
LikeLike
September 23, 2013 at 1:16 pm
I hate when that happens. I hope you can sneak in a 15 minute nap today.
LikeLike
September 23, 2013 at 1:20 pm
Yep, a power nap might just be the thing. Thanks, Pamela. 🙂
LikeLike
September 23, 2013 at 1:23 pm
I went 40 hours one day last week. I had one 30 minute nap and another 10 minute power nap. I’m still trying to recover (it takes longer as we get older evidently)
LikeLike
September 23, 2013 at 1:29 pm
40 hours – that’s a whole work week! I’ve noticed that too – it takes longer to recover from everything. Nothing to do but try to take care of ourselves, eh?
LikeLike
September 23, 2013 at 12:35 pm
Have you tried curling up in bed with a book? (Make sure it’s not too interesting!)
LikeLike
September 23, 2013 at 12:39 pm
Oooh, I have a textbook!!
Haha! I might just have to try that, thanks, Miranda. 🙂
LikeLike
September 23, 2013 at 12:27 pm
I lay in bed and drift. I find that when I can’t sleep for that long, it’s my mind preventing me from resting. Just push for a blank slate and ignore the fact that I can’t sleep. Eventually, I pass out.
LikeLike
September 23, 2013 at 12:34 pm
It’s true, I do have too much on my mind. That usually works for me too, but of course now I’m worried because I have less than two hours before the kids start to come home. Ah the joys of being a single parent.
Thanks for the comment, Charles. Hope you’re feeling better.
LikeLike
September 23, 2013 at 4:25 pm
Recovering slowly. Today has been difficult because I’m able to function, but I haven’t figured out my limits. Kind of induced one of my old stomach spasms because I pushed too hard. Have to sit and be scolded by the toddler once the dizziness of meds wears off.
LikeLike
September 23, 2013 at 5:50 pm
Pushing yourself too hard after being down for a while is a common problem. Take it easy! Yeah, easy for me to say that, right? 😛
LikeLike
September 23, 2013 at 6:33 pm
Yeah. Watching the toddler more this week, so we’ll see how I do.
LikeLike