Question
I reviewed an answer to a similar question (interrupted sleep), however the person's situation was a little different. Her issue seems to have been a result of moving in with her boyfriend, and so having to sleep in the same bed with another peron. My issue has been a problem I've dealt with my entire life. I don't think I have had a full night's sleep ever in my life. It's much worse when I am in a different place or (especially) with another person. I toss and turn about 100 times every night, and I often have such vivid dreams that I am awoken in either a fright or just in shock. In college, I was so tired all throughout the day that I would skip class to nap, or fall asleep in class. My best sleep, unfortunately, comes after a night of drinking. I don't want that to be the answer, so here I am.
I live a very active life. I exercise almost daily, play in several volleyball leagues, and I walk my dog often. I have always been a bit of a worrier, so maybe that comes into play. I also cannot stand noises, such as crickets, heavy breathing or, the worst, snoring. I use a fan in my room too drown out the noises. But other than these factors, I am not sure why I constantly toss and turn and am awake for so much of the night.
This is a big problem, as I find I am very unproductive, or always sleepy. At work, I will sometimes go nap in my car instead of eat lunch. It's stressful. It's tiring. And I really want to find a remedy for this sleep issue I've been dealing with for my entire life.
Answer
In your situation I can tell you that you either have the daytime sleepiness because of your inability to sleep fully at night which is insomnia. If these tips dont work then its imperative you go to a sleep center to get diagnosed. Daytime sleepiness can be sign of narcolepsy. I will tell you in your situation though Im no doctor that you have a lot of things going on. First of all the alcohol which can probably be your answer to both being sleepy and staying awake, alcohol reacts differently on people. So for starters I would stop. next you should consider a therapist . For now you might want to try these tips below.
Try these tips religiously for about 6-8 weeks but many have seen results
in as little as 2 weeks.lYou must go to bed and awaken the same time each day regardless
of how little or how much sleep you got the night before.
This starts to reset your sleep clock.
3 hours before bedtime stay away from
tea, coffee, caffeine, caramel colored soda like, coke,pepsi, ginger ale,
or root beer, chocolate and exercise .All these make for restless sleep.Do the following religiously for 4-6 weeks although some have seen changes in as little as 2 weeks.
Make sure room is quiet and dark. When you go to bed if you start to
twist and turn or if you wake up in the middle of the night and cant
go back to sleep, twist and turn for only 20 minutes, then get up, go
into a different room and read a book or magazine only! No computer!
When you start to doze immediately go back into the bedroom.This retrains
the brain into thinking that the bedroom is for restful sleep only. Do
this as many times as you awaken thru the night, it will lesson.
30 minutes before bedtime take a hot bath and immerse hands under the
water.Latest research states that the palms of the hand when immersed
in hot water send signals to the brain to relax. 15 minutes before bedtime\
drink a glass of warm milk. Milk when heated contains tryptophan, a natural
amino acid sleep inducer should do the trick. If this fails you should consider seeing a sleep center.
Your local hospital can refer you. Also go to sleepnet.com click on disorders insomnia
for more tips. Feel free to email again karel
