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Am i not sleeping well?

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Posted 2/7/2011 3:59 AM (GMT 0)
Nearly every single night I have a dream. Not just dreams that I cant remember. Theyre always vivid and lifelike. I wake up and go back to sleep a lot but always continue to dream. Iam also a very light sleeper. I dont even have to be touched to wake up, the presence of someone near me instantly wakes me. In the day Im usually tired and thoroughly enjoy my naps [although sometimes i dream then too]. Sometimes I enjoy my dreams but could they be causing me to not sleep deeply enough? And what causes my brain to make up such wild and realistic feeling stories?
Posted 2/7/2011 4:56 PM (GMT 0)
Hi, I go through periods of time when I will dream a lot. I always thought that you have to be in a fairly deep (r.e.m.) sleep to dream, but I feel the same way the next day-tired and like I could use a nap!

I don't know a whole lot about sleep patterns, but I know that I am at a sleep deficit during a high dream state. If I had them all of the time, I can imagine that I'd be wiped out.

If you can nap and catch up during the day, that's great! If not and this is affecting you, maybe look into a light sleep aid to help you get into a deeper sleep.

Take care,
Scaredy Cat
Posted 2/8/2011 10:15 AM (GMT 0)
I used to be a very light sleeper as well. I trained myself for about a month by sleeping out in the living room where a lot of commotion usually was in the house, and tried to sleep there. The first few nights were rough, but I got used to it fairly quickly. But if you are not into a method that is so intense, I can recommend a few things: drink a glass of warm milk before sleeping, not looking at screens right before sleep, having the lights turned off some time before you sleep to signal to your body that you are going to sleep, don't do anything mental right before sleep, and also drinking chamomile tea before bed helps as well.
Posted 2/8/2011 4:22 PM (GMT 0)
klacs,

Good ideas re the warm milk and tea.  One of other members swears by the warm milk and puts a bit of cinnamon in hers.

Perhaps you would like to start a thread of your own to give all the members a chance to meet and greet you.  We are glad to have you on board.

Kind,

Kitt

Posted 2/8/2011 6:10 PM (GMT 0)
Hi

Sorry to here you not sleeping to well that can make your anxiety a lot worse. I have had problems with nightmares which I get most nights so even the times that I get to sleep my mind is so active that I do not feel rested and it is a real pain. I take Seroquel at night which does help me get some sleep. I hope things improve for you soon maybe an idea to go and see your doctor and see if they can give you any advise.

Hibee
Posted 2/9/2011 12:23 PM (GMT 0)
Have you had time to try any of the methods listed above.
I am going to bed as I feel sleepy but as my head hits the pillow my brain goes into over drive and I lie there for a couple of hours before finally dropping off.
I wonder if the hot milk will help me too.
Vacuna
Posted 2/9/2011 2:42 PM (GMT 0)
Good Morning,

A couple of more tips to help you sleep:

Say good night to your worries and shut the bedroom door on them. Literally. Or write them down and close the book on them; whatever it takes.

I find telling myself that staying awake all night with spinning thoughts is not going to make anything better so just sleep works most of the time for me.   I know, easier said then done.

Make sure your bedroom is conducive to sleep. Most people sleep best in a room that's a bit cooler than normally desired when awake.

Only use your bedroom for sleep not napping.  I get up and get dressed every day and if I feel I need a nap I used the couch and save the bedroom for night sleep.

Great input from the awesome members.

Kindly,

Kitt

Posted 2/10/2011 2:08 PM (GMT 0)
I am a chronic insomniac with extremely vivid dreams. I know only too well how it is to not get enough sleep! I (was) a light sleeper, every little noise would wake me up. There came a time when the insomnia kicked in majorly and I think I got about 4 hours in 7 days - I started hallucinating. My doc prescribed me Ambien but I was doing strange things in my sleep that it frightened me so I switched over to an otc sleep aid (Tylonel Simply Sleep). It helps me sleep more soundly and I can wake up if I need to. However, the vivid dreams haven't stopped. I don't get them every night but when I do, they are doozies!

Some tips I found that help are:
Run a fan in the background for white noise
Do not eat 2 hours before sleeping
Use the room solely for sleeping - do not read in there, do not work in there, do not watch tv in there
Don't come on the computer before bed because this stimulates the brain, nor should you read exciting novels
Drink something warm such as Sleepy Time tea or Chamomile (decaf of course)
Don't eat sugar or consume anything with caffeine after a certain time - my time is 3pm
Don't let yourself get overheated while sleeping

I find too that on the nights that I take my Klonopin, my minds seems to be more settled but unfortunately I can't take that everyday so I make do with what I mentioned above.
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