Insomnia... Any tips to getting rid of it?

[Ongaku]

Sooo I've had insomnia for about a month now. But the problem stopped about a week ago...
BUUUUUT for some reason it has returned, and I once again can not fall asleep, or have problems
stay asleep.  :'(

  So um, does anyone know of something I could try to at least soften the side affects?

[Atomic Mothy]

I too have really bad insomnia.
My doctor has me take Melatonin (It's over the counter, and you can find it in the vitamin section typically), and it works wonders.

[Garth]

Best thing you can do is exercise so that you burn off energy so that you're tired, and as a useful side effect you can get fit too.  Tied in with that if you get into a regular sleeping pattern then you should sort yourself out.  Go to bed at the same time every night, something like 9 or 10pm, regardless of if you're tired or not, and then get up at the same time every morning 8 or 9am, again regardless of if you're still sleepy or tired.  It may take a few days to get into the rhythm of it, but that should sort it out.

Insomnia can be a right pain, but if you're constantly changing your sleeping habits then you're not making it any easier for your body to know if it's supposed to be waking up for the day, in full swing, or winding down for rest.

If you're looking for something to help get to sleep then honey is a good, so you can try and have a honey sandwich or honey on toast before bed.  There's also hot honey and lemon as a drink which is quick and easy to make too.  Boil some water, while that's doing then get a cup or a mug or something, add a spoonful of honey, or to taste, and then add a glug of lemon juice over the top.  Add the boiling water, stir until the honey dissolves, drink and enjoy.

[Ongaku]

  Awesome thanks I'll try them today

[Shinzuu Katame: Her Tolfy]

I only have one thing to say to your insomnia...

Welcome to my world, boy

[Ongaku]

Does this world have cookies? 

[josh_down]

the honey thing is fantastic advice. honey seems to cure many many things such as this. i started eating it when i was majorly depressed and it always made me feel much happier (temporarily) for some reason. plus the lemon thing is a very good idea... but it also applies to very acidic fruit in general. i usually have either some kiwi fruit or pineapple before i get some sleep.

[Shinzuu Katame: Her Tolfy]

actually, only a few things have worked for me to get me to sleep:

1) Having Vee by my side.
2) Watching documentaries
3) Playing MMO's. (The boring ones, not good ones like DBO or MapleStory or DnD Online)


And yes, we haz kookehz

[flames]

What's interesting about insomnia is that it can vary quite wildly in some cases. While the advice given so far (exercising, honey, medication, etc) will tend to have a positive effect on most there are certainly those for whom this will have no effect on. Bizarrely I've found from several of my own experiences that I've actually ended up taking longer to sleep when exhausted, but I daresay that such a result is rare and normally it would help the sleep process.
What I do advise is to avoid doing anything overly demanding (physically, mentally or emotionally) within an hour of going to bed. Try to unwind slowly and prepare yourself for sleep gradually rather than waiting until you're about to go into bed. Also if, unlike me, you can avoid using your bed for anything apart from sleep, this should have a positive effect as your subconscious mind should tie in your bed with sleeping more easily that way. If you do other things on it such as watching TV, gaming or even writing on it your mind will expect to have to perform actions when on your bed instead of shutting off like it's supposed to.
And finally, especially on stressful or tiring days, try performing a little self-massaging (or if you're lucky and have someone who's good with this sort of thing, get them to do it) before bed to relieve the muscles and mind of tension. It may not help much with the stress or any pains but chances are that you'll relax easier and thus in theory the chances of fast, good quality sleep should increase.

Insomnia is a real pain, I've had it as long as I can remember and it tends to shift how bad it is over time. Hopefully you can conquer it or at least find a way to reduce the impact of its effects. If you're one of us unlucky ones who pretty much nothing works for...well...welcome to the club, we've got fluffy pillows to not sleep on and interesting ceilings to gaze at

[Ongaku]

I tried the tips ^.^
Mothy:
Couldn't get the melatonin, I'm underage to buy it apparently... curse being 17...   :'(

Garth:
The exercise before sleep worked to get me a sleep but not to stay a sleep.
Tried the sleeping at 10pm, wake up at 9am but it's still to early to tell so I'll let you know later on.
Honey worked wonders but I'd roll off bed both nights I did... I'm sure they are un-related though... 

Shinzuu:
Vee...? I'm assuming a plushy or a mate... I have a plushy named Ongaku that sleeps with me and I can't sleep without him so ...
I'm fascinated by documentaries...  So that didn't work.
I'm not playing anymore MMO's until FF14 comes out. Even then I think our preferences are a little off.

Flames:
For the "bed for sleep only" I only use it for that and relaxing listening to music. Should i stop also?

Side Notes:
COOOOKIES!!!!!!!
And, thanks everyone for your advice. ^.^ With school starting next week, and need all the help I can get. (I have to wake up at 5:30am for bus, every school day.  :'()

[Shinzuu Katame: Her Tolfy]

Well, the whole point of the documentaries is to actually work yourself to mental exhaustion. If you work yourself to physical exhaustion, you don't actually rest while you're passed out. However, mental exhaustion only shuts down your mind, therefore inducing sleep, resting both your mind and body. Whereas in physical exhaustion, the time you spend unconscious, your body continues to spend energy on healing your muscles, since muscles tear slightly as they are worked, and your mind stays active as a result. You'll feel tired and sore after a sleep from physical exhaustion. So basically, do anything that'll make you use your mind. It also helps you sleep faster.

Post Merge: August 16, 2010, 02:24:15 PMand yes, Vee is my mate. Also one of the mods on the forum.

[iKero-chu™]

Try exercising an hour before you plan on going to sleep.

[Shinzuu Katame: Her Tolfy]

Try exercising an hour before you plan on going to sleep.

I've learned that that's actually a bad idea. The exercise gets your blood flowing, and the adrenal glands pumping a little. If anything, it actually keeps you up at night. Also, refer to the above about sleep through physical exhaustion.

[Ongaku]

That's the thing though documentaries don't do that to me. If anything i want to stay up and watch more... 
Watching the "The character of physical law" right now and according to my other classmates it's extremely boring but I don't see it.

Yeah the exercise thing... it's more of a exhaust self out about two hours before sleep for 1hr 30mins then relax to make revert your adrenalin 

[RedWolf "lucifer" Guevara]

personaly i like to light half an insence stick and put on my `ministry of sound ultiumute chill album`

this helps me wind down