A cat may be stolen of its grace, they say it's just a matter of time and place...

[allfireburns]

So talking to Rizzy earlier, I finally realised why the hell my brain hasn't been working well the past week or so. I haven't actually been sleeping for the past week or so. I'll go to take a nap, but the best I'll get out of that it a sort of half-aware fog, and when I actually try to sleep, I'll be awake for hours and then slip into a vague doze that I'll wake up from if the dog gets up, or Evie moves, or there's a noise outside...

I don't even know what to do about it, besides the possibility of drugging myself with Benadryl so I pass out - which doesn't get me actual sleep, just a few hours of unconsciousness, but maybe if I could get to sleep... I don't know.

It doesn't help that we've been out of coffee for a while now. I'd say this could not possibly get more annoying, but... then it would. I'm not going to tempt the universe.

Comments

[kawaiispinel.livejournal.com]

Rrrh. *cuddles* ♥ I used to have serious sleeping issues and I can't remember what I did to get rid of them other than taking Lunesta and even then I... Don't think it worked all that well. Ngah. I know how bad not being able to sleep properly sucks, since I'm one of those people who it takes three hours to fall asleep, even when I'm about to fall over to fall asleep.

*loves on* *and sends good vibes*

[allfireburns.livejournal.com]

Thanks, love. *Snugs* It just all happened... very quickly, and it's rather weirding me out. As well as being, you know, ANNOYING AS HELL. *Sigh*

[starletfallen.livejournal.com]

I don't know if having caffeine would help any, but I can run to the store in a bit and get coffee, at least.

I hate to say it, but maybe if you don't nap, that'll help you fall asleep when you need to. Or, y'know, letting you nap for as long as you'll stay asleep. I know it's annoying, but maybe that'll help, y'know?

[allfireburns.livejournal.com]

That did occur to me. I'm going to see how not napping today(/tonight) goes... *Sigh* What's annoying is that even when I feel like I'm about to PASS OUT, I go lay down and... no. Sleep is so not happening.

Caffeine may not help with the sleep issue, but it will at least keep me from feeling like I want to DIE in the awake-time between sleeps. ...also, food? *Puppy eyes*

[starletfallen.livejournal.com]

Do you want me to get Starbucks or brewable coffees?

[allfireburns.livejournal.com]

CAN HAS BOTH? ...by which I mean Starbucks for now, and coffee for... you know... having coffee in the house?

...I don't have the icon I want to use for this comment, because it's the Doctor's, but if I had it, you would totally be getting :D Doctor peeking up over the edge of a cubicle.

[kawaiispinel.livejournal.com]

...I am commentjacking to say that you are adorable. ♥

[starletfallen.livejournal.com]

XD You could've used his journal?

[allfireburns.livejournal.com]

That's a bit more effort than I really felt like putting in. ♥?

BWAHAHAHA COMMENTJACKING

[jaeled.livejournal.com]

...There is so much cute going on here, I don't know where to start.

[yetregressing.livejournal.com]

I will sacrifice my sleep for you! Because clearly that will solve all the problems ever. (I sleep a ridiculous amount. So. Um. You can have my naptime on Tuesday? Because I already took my nap today. I'm sorry!)

<3 <3 <3 If I had any real advice I would try and share it with you. But. Yeah. *snuggles*

[allfireburns.livejournal.com]

I WOULD LOVE TO HAVE YOUR SLEEP. It's annoying, because I'm spending ridiculous amounts of time in bed, but not actually feeling any more rested for it. *Grumpsulk*

[yetregressing.livejournal.com]

*GIVES YOU ALL THE SLEEP EVER*

I WON'T SLEEP FOR A WEEK FOR YOU. MY LOVE, IT RUNS DEEP. Or something.

[lionessvalenti.livejournal.com]

You can have some of my sleep, too. But I'll warn you, it's going to be at like seven in the morning. But maybe that's just eastern time?

[allfireburns.livejournal.com]

THAT'S FINE. ...I've been falling into bed at 5 AM anyway, so. That about matches up, I think.

[jaeled.livejournal.com]

Urrrgh. Sounds like my life for the past month. NOT FUN. And the sleeping pills my doctor prescribed just knock me out--I don't feel rested afterward.

...I'm totally unhelpful. BUT I FEEL YOUR PAIN. DX

[draegonhawke.livejournal.com]

...urghle. Would you like me to steal my roommates Big Book of Natural Remedies and look up insomnia for you? 'cause I can see what it says...

[allfireburns.livejournal.com]

I've been sleeping a little better the last few days, but getting to sleep and staying asleep is still hellishly difficult, so if you'd like to, that would be awesome. ♥

[draegonhawke.livejournal.com]

LET'S SEE WHAT THE BIG BOOK SAYS!

Doop doop.

[A lack of the nutrients calcium and magnesium can cause you to wake up after a few hours and not be able to return to sleep.]

[(a bunch of chronic underlying conditions) all may affect sleep, as can poor nutrition and eating too close to bedtime. A sedentary lifestyle can be a major contributor to sleep disorders.]

[The cardinal sign of a sleep problem requiring a doctor's attention is inappropriate sleepiness, such as dozing off at the dinner table, during conversation, or while driving.]



[Nutrients (important):

Calcium - has a calming effect. Use calcium lactate or calcium chelate form.
and
magnesium - Needed to balance with calcium and relax the muscles.

Melatonin - a natural hormone that promotes sound sleep. Use it only occasionally (1.5mg/daily, taken less than 2 hours before bedtime.]



[Nutrients (helpful):

Vitamin B complex - Helps promote a restful state.
plus extra
pantothenic acid (vitamin B5) - Good for relieving stress.
and
inositol - Enhances REM sleep.
and
niacinamide - Promotes serotonin production.

Vitamin C with bioflavinoids - very important for relieving stress.

Zinc - Aids in the recovery of body tissues while sleeping.]



[Herbs:

* California poppy, hops, kava kava, lemon balm, passionflower, skullcap, and valerian root, taken in capsule or extract form, are all good for helping to overcome insomnia. Valerian root has become the favorite among many experts. It is best not to rely on one herb on a regular basis, but to rotate among several. Take these herbs before bedtime.

*Catnip and chamomile have mild sedative properties. These herbs are safe even for children if taken in tea form. For adults, drinking chamomile tea several times throughout the day helps to calm and tone the nervous system, promoting restful sleep.
 Caution: Do not use chamomile on an ongoing basis. Avoid it completely if you are allergic to ragweed.]

[draegonhawke.livejournal.com]

[Recommendations:

*In the evening, eat bananas, dates, figs, milk, nut butter, tuna, turkey, whole grain crackers, or yoghurt. These foods are high in tryptophan, which helps promote sleep. Eating a grapefruit half at bedtime also helps.

*Do not eat alrge meals within two hours of bedtime.

*Avoid caffeine, alcohol, and nicotine in the four to six hours before bedtime. A small amount can help induce sleep initially, but invariable disrupts deeper sleep cycles later. While smoking may seem to have a calming effect, nicotine is actually a neurostimulant and can cause sleep problems.

*Avoid bacon, cheese, chocolate, eggplant, ham, potatoes, sauerkraut, sugar, sausage, spinach, tomatoes, and wine close to bedtime. These foods contain tyramine, which increases the release of norepinephrine, a brain stimulant.

*Avoid taking nasal decongestants and other cold medications late in the day. While many ingredients in these preparations are known to cause drowsiness, they can have the opposite effect on some people and act as a stimulant.

*Establish a set of habits and follow them consistently to establish a healthy sleep cycle. Among them (ed. I break SO MANY of these. <_<):

 - Go to bed only when you are sleepy.

 - Do not stay in the bed if you are not sleepy. Get up and move to another room and read, watch television, or do something quietly until you really are sleepy.

 - Use the bedroom only for sleep and sex – not for reading, working, eating, or watching television.

 - Keep a regular sleep-wake cycle. Try to go to bed and wake up at the same time every day.

 - Sleep in a dark, quiet room with a comfortable temperature.

 - Do not nap during the day if this is not a normal thing for you to do. Especially avoid napping after 3:00 PM.

 - Exercise regularly in the late afternoon or early evening – but not within two hours of bedtime.

 - Take a hot bath (not a shower) an hour or two before bedtime. For further relaxation, put several drops of a soothing essential oil in the bath water.

 - Keep the bedroom comfortable and quiet. If too much quiet is the problem, try running a fan or playing a radio softly in the background.

 - Learn to put worries out of your mind. If you have occasional trouble getting to sleep, concentrate on pleasant memories and thoughts. Re-create a pleasurable time or event in your life and relive it in your mind. Learning a relaxation technique such as meditation or the use of guided imagery is extremely helpful in getting sleep patterns back to normal for many people.]