Insomnia = Chasing Distractions

in·som·ni·a –noun
[in-som-nee-uh]
1. inability to obtain sufficient sleep, esp. when chronic; difficulty in falling or staying asleep; sleeplessness.

Insomnia is a sleep disorder that is characterized by difficulty falling asleep, staying asleep, or a combination of both. You know you are suffering from insomnia if you have one or more of the following symptoms:

• Difficulty falling asleep
• Waking up often during the night and having trouble going back to sleep
• Waking up too early in the morning
• Feeling tired upon waking
  

Insomnia is classified into two types based on how long it lasts and how often it occurs. You can suffer acute insomnia (short-term) or chronic insomnia (long term). It can also come and go, with periods of time when you do not have any sleep problems at all. Acute insomnia can last from one night to a few weeks. Chronic insomnia happens when you have sleep problems at least three nights a week for a month or longer.

Sleep hygiene, or good sleeping habits, can help you to beat insomnia. Here are some tips I found:

• Try to go to sleep at the same time each night and get up at the same time each morning.
• Try not to take naps during the day because naps may make you less sleepy at night.
• Avoid caffeine, nicotine, and alcohol late in the day. Caffeine and nicotine are stimulants and can keep you from falling asleep. Alcohol can cause waking in the night and interferes with sleep quality.
• Get regular exercise. Try not to exercise close to bedtime because it may stimulate you and make it hard to fall asleep. Experts suggest not exercising for at least three to four hours before the time you go to sleep.
• Don't eat a heavy meal late in the day. A light snack before bedtime, however, may help you sleep.
• Make your bedroom comfortable. Be sure that it is dark, quiet, and not too warm or too cold. If light is a problem, try a sleeping mask. If noise is a problem, try earplugs, a fan, or a "white noise" machine to cover up the sounds.
• Follow a routine to help you relax before sleep. Read a book, listen to music, or take a bath.
• Avoid using your bed for anything other than sleep or sex.
• If you can't fall asleep and don't feel drowsy, get up and read or do something that is not overly stimulating until you feel sleepy.
• If you find yourself lying awake worrying about things, try making a to-do list before you go to bed. This may help you to not focus on those worries overnight.
  

In case you are still fighting to get to sleep, here are three more insomnia related resources:

• The Facts on Insomnia
• eMedicineHealth - Insomnia
• Insomnia: How to Get a Good Night's Sleep

I am starting to sink into another bout of chronic insomnia. For the past two weeks I have only been able to get approximately two hours of sleep per night. When you have insomnia you are never really asleep and you are never really awake. It is hard to concentrate and be motivated to get things done during the day.

Thankfully I work from home, so when insomnia drops the hammer on me it is a little easier to cope. I did not always work from home, I too used to have a real job and work in the real world, and let me tell you it was very difficult to trudge through the day running at thirty percent efficiency.

I have a self-diagnosed case of depression and anxiety, which I think is the main cause of my insomnia. When the black shroud of depression begins to creep over me I try to make busy. I will clean my apartment. I will read a book. I will write a short story. I will go for an aimless drive in my car. I will do anything to distract myself from the feelings brought on by depression. Anything to avoid the haunting of my memories. That is why I decided to create this blog. I am on an ever pursuit of distraction.

I am constantly Chasing Distractions.

Grab The Bookmarketer For Your Site

Source: WebMD