Hey guys. I have a very important event coming up in Washington soon. It will require that I get a good night sleep so I can be mentally sharp in the morning and the rest of the day. I already plan on packing a few 5 hour energies to help me out. The problem is I am the type of person that has difficulty sleeping the night before big events. First day of school, play, big game, new job etc. Its usually a combination of excitement, anxiousness and a little nervousness that leaves me frustrated and tossing and turning all night. The last thing that I need is to show up having not gotten any sleep the night before. I am also scared to take something that will keep me drowsy the next day (that would be just as bad). For example Nyquil kills me the next day with sluggishness. Do any of you guys have any recommendations on what I could do to assure that I get a great night sleep and feel refreshed in the morning? I have never taken any pills that assist me in sleeping before but I really want to be on the top of my game for this. Any advice is appreciated. Thanks in advance.
I've been dealing with sleep issues for awhile now. Ambien are great, but you have to go to the DR to get them. I was afraid I'd become dependant on them, but I've had a bottle of 30 for about 5 months, so I really only take them when I need it. I've used OTC stuff before. It works OK for the first few times, but your body will eventually build a tolerance. Try some OTC stuff like Unisom before you go to see how it affects you. If it doesn't work, go to the DR and get something. Just don't take it unless you really need it, or else you risk the chance of becomind dependent on it. Get some exercise throughout the day and read something boring before you go to bed to rest your mind.
I take two 3mg melatonin and two 25mg benadryl everynight and sleep like a baby now. I'm not sluggish when I wake. My .02
Sounds more like an anxiety problem then a getting to sleep problem. 2 routes: 1)Exercise in the early evening hard. Eat a "comfort food" meal, whatever is your favorite. When you get to your hotel, don't read an interesting book or watch something on TV that will keep you up an focused. Not much else you can do. 2) Medication. The problem with medication for anxiety/sleep problems is that they can have strong effects and you sorta have to get used to them before you could confidently take something before a big event the next morning -IMHO. If you want to go this route, the best OTC for sleeping is plain Benadryl, which is the active sleep ingredient in most of the pain reliever, PM night time medicines.
I'm a lifelong insomniac. I cope by having sleep routines and avoiding certain things like caffiene after 3. Watching exciting Rocket games late into the night is not a good way to drift off peacefully a few minutes later. Despite my routines, I still have difficulties falling asleep some nights, especially when I travel for work. I take Ambien as needed, and that stuff is awesome. You do have to give it a full 8 hours. If you take it at 2 and wake up at 8, you'll be medically groggy. From time to time, it's intensely powerful and I've felt high. I've apparently had conversations with my wife that I don't remember the next morning. Despite those caveats, I'd recommend it if you're having problems sleeping. See a doctor about the Ambien and keep a sleep journal. Jot down how you excercise, when you eat, what you ate, alcohol or smoking and at what times, etc. It really helped me identify and cut out some activities that were major causes of my insomnia.
Take Unisom - works just fine. Benadryl is not a sleeping aid, however it will help you sleep. My two pennies.
Find a tunnel that connects Mexico to the US, reach in a bundle and take some, smoke it at bed time, done.
I have taken the following in order to aid in sleep: Unisom and generics: They put me to sleep but when I awoke I was still a little groggy and usually had a bad headache. 5/10 Zolpidem (Ambien): This did nothing for me and I am not a fan. 1/10 Amitriptyline: This right here knocks me out and keeps me knocked out. If you need a good, long sleep try to get some of this. 9/10 Benadryl: Puts me to sleep but does not keep me that way but better than Unisom. 7/10
Drink some warm milk and eat cookies before you go to sleep. Turn every light off and keep the room pitch black. Keep the room cool. Don't watch TV or be on your laptop just before bedtime. Take a bath before you go to sleep. Exercise about 5 hours before. Don't eat a heavy dinner. A combo of protein and good carbs will help. To have a good sleeping pattern, you have to get up at same time and go to sleep at same time so your body will start to be more synched. Hell, I fall asleep like at 10:30 on the weekends if I am on the couch watching TV. Hope that helps.
Why people need DRUGS or need to take "supplements" to do things you would otherwise do "normally", I will never understand. How about just close all the windows, don't let any sunlight in, set your alarm properly, and go to sleep EARLIER than usual while the TV is on something BORING? Also, take a long, hot shower at night (to sleep well) and a cold one in the morning (to wake up refreshed). I'm just saying you can do it without drugs (that's what she said). Freudian slip[ping pill]??? For one reason or another I thought you meant "Watch UNIVISION. Works fine." :grin:
Look for Ashwagandha at GNC or Vitamin Shoppe. It is a herb which helps the body adjust to stress both physically and mentally. It will not make you very sleepy when you take it, however when you do go to bed, you will get very sound sleep. Take it twice a day.
I'll give some contrarian advice to others regarding sleeping because of one or very occasianal anxiety. If it were because of chronic insomnia I would agree don't read in bed, or watch TV. But for anxiety based lack of sleep it helps me to watch something on TV to take my mind off what I'm worried or anxious about. I don't watch an action movie, or even my favorite movie, because I'll get too involved. Instead I like to watch something that isn't bad, but has a good story and is kind of just better than average. Classic movies(30,s 40's and 50's) do the trick for me. I can start watching those, it occupies my mind enough to get it off the anxiety but not so much that it gets wound up and won't shut down.
I wouldn't take any medication. I've tried sleeping pills and Tylenol PM a few times, and no matter how long I sleep I feel groggy the next day. I would also recommend getting some good exercise early that evening ... if you lift regularly, do that. Or go for a long run. Spend plenty of time moving around outside. Take a hot shower before you go to bed. Chances are if the event is that big/exciting for you, you'll be just fine running off of adrenaline and a little caffeine anyway, even if you don't quite get a full 8 hours. Of course in that case, you will be exhausted that night, but at least you'll make it through.
Here's my problem. I have very vivid and stressful dreams. When I wake up I don't feel like I got any rest. On top of that I frequently wake up with a stinging, hangover-like headache. (And I didn't drink the night before.) Could sleeping aids alleviate this? I figure a really deep sleep might break the pattern.
