Can't Sleep, Brain Won't Shut Off

What do you do when your brain won't shut down to let you sleep? I have hydroxyzine but it makes me too drowsy the next day and I need to stay awake at work. Even if I'm not stressed or anxious or anything, no matter how tired I am, the noise and racing thoughts just don't quiet down. I've tried everything at some point or another.

Your answer

Damber

1y ago

I use that for anxiety at night. Doesn't make me sleepy or drowsy the next day though. Nd I take 50mg. But I will say I put headphones in at night nd shuffle my Spotify Playlist nd fall asleep to that usually wake up with one headphone out so I can hear alarms nd such. Otherwise I keep my TV on 24/7 nd keep on low but high enough to hear at night. I'm also terrified of the dark so that's why I keep my TV on all the time. 😅 I hope this helps even a little bit. 😇

CrazyMeerkat

1y ago

A podcast called Nothing much happens by Katherine Nicolai. It is really working. You just need a bit of patience to train your mind.

TrueZelda

1y ago

To add: I've tried everything listed here. I have the ceiling fan and two side fans on at night (the ceiling fan doesn't do much, so my partner and I each have a small fan of our own, it gets hot where we live so it's nice). Some nights I try listening to things - ASMR, sleep stories, guided meditations, soundscapes, yoga nidra, music, audiobooks, binaural beats, you name it. I have NOT tried melatonin simply because with everything else I'm on (mainly my birth control) I want to discuss with a doctor to make sure it's safe for me first, and I haven't been able to yet. It's on my mental list of things though.

aldrwytch

1y ago

I’d definitely ask someone—I’m in birth control and various other medicines but have used, with doctor knowledge, both OTC melatonin and Rx melatonin, which both helped some, without affecting me the next day. That said, I recently got a medical marijuana card, and that’s been game changing. Idk what the laws are where you live, but I’d discuss it with someone if possible—I can’t remember the last time I got over 6 hours of sleep consistently, let alone any kind of sleep quality. I was resistant to trying it for a long time due to stigma and family attitudes, but I’m at a point where that stuff just doesn’t matter because I need sleep.

Kadair

1y ago

I am on hydroxyzine also and it makes me sleepy also when I take it when my anxiety is through the roof. Don't know if you have ever tried melatonin or a sleep aid. I have tried both but they don't work on me, unless it is a sedative. Which I will only take if I am just so tired.

Bre19

1y ago

Music

spaceygaymer

1y ago

for me, i have a really loud fan on at night to muffle all sounds, and then i listen to youtube videos or spotify on my phone. also, when im really struggling to get comfortable for a few nights in a row, ill try sleeping in a different spot. like i'll just change my pillow to the opposite side of the bed, or sleep on the couch or my top bunk and that helps somehow lol. but yeah, im also still trying to learn ways to fall asleep easier. hope it gets better for ya soon, good luck <3

Ro.ro

1y ago

i would say try a lower dose of hydroxezine or try promethazine. i also find having a fan on helps and lower the temperature in your room it helps you sleep better :)

Jeezuskrys

1y ago

I must say, I struggle with this also. The constant 5-6am bedtimes are getting to me now. I don't actually sleep, unless I am absolutely hanging from tiredness. Even then it is a struggle. The one thing that worked for me was either ambient noises (white noise, forest noises etc), or YouTube videos. Unfortunately for me, this seems to no longer have an effect. I don't know if it's heightened levels of stress, or anxiet, but it just doesn't work. So I'm back to the drawing board 😂

BritBrat92

1y ago

I have to have some kind of noise going on while I sleep mainly it's the fan but when the bf used to work graveyard I have calming music playing one that goes on for 24 hours off of YouTube Good luck

Evaleastaristev

1y ago

I can't sleep without an audio book playing. Something I've read before. Good luck

tjazz

1y ago

I do the same. If you listen to the same one every night it helps you fall back asleep if you wake up too. Sort of Pavlovian

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