I can relate to putting on and losing weight related to mental health and meds.

Thankfully my appointment was online so the Dr didn't fuss about weight, but I'm currently pretty healthy.

Just during pandemic living alone it does make it hard to eat well.

Hi sleepy yes trying to eat healthy and with most things during the pandemic is harder then usual.I really not on any meds at the moment for my mental health only just some for my physical health issues.The monitoring when I did the sleep test was interesting and did show I had sleep Apnea.

Hi Sleepy and Croix

I set my tablets for night setting I’m not sure it helps but it’s gentler on my eyes and I dim them as much as possible but mainly so I don’t wake my husband.
A sleep specialist well maybe I need one of them. Never thought about that thanks for the suggestion.
Tonight I’m having arguments in my head. Persons in charge the ball and I’m upset. I’d say they burst the ball and let the air out. I’m on my own without protection and not even part of the loop. I’ve known for a while but had someone ask me a question about what was happening and I’d been trying to blank it out and it’s now rolling around my head.

So that’s what happens to me I sleep then wake and I get scared or tonight angry and I’m awake.
I was going to try my relaxation techniques but decided I was too angry and made a decaf tried to watch tv but volume too low. On the positive side I made it out of my room of a nighttime without being too scared. I really depend on my husband for safety. I’m trying to depend more on me and so scary things like have a coffee outside during the day when I’m home alone.
Boogy man at night is a big one for me I check the cameras and if the spotlights have been triggered.
I’m going to do my happy place relaxation and Psychologist said I can do it with eyes open.
Hopefully Goodnight.
MC

Hi mum Chris,

The sleep specialist mentioned ppl fend fo sleep better with someone else there, animals included..

I really relate to being scared to leave Ur room

I grt scared to go into my bedroom, because of all the horrible associations with sleep.

I haven't managed to beat that, it's still just scary and too much to go in there. I am working on decluterring q bit.

I ordered two of those hanging storages from ikea....excited for them to come, might help me tackle the floordrobe

l don't sleep well in my place when l'm the only one here either which is most of the time atm. it's just too damn big for one person.

l dunno how some of those rich people live in huge mansions alone , seems pointless even if they do have the money.

rx

Same,

The sleep specialist mentioned its good to have others around we sleep better

But others can be animals too....maybe caring neighbours? All kinds of others

I am wholly alone and it doesn't feel Safe to sleep

Yeah could well understand it especially for a woman.

My sister bought an old hall in the country , 1840 l think it is or about, pretty big too. She's alone in that , couldn't sleep in it myself. She does have a few dogs at least that'd help.

rx

My insomnia was resolved ever since I changed my dinner time from 7p.m into 3 p.m., and eating only 1 banana at 5p.m.

I really need to stop looking at my phone before bed, I think the blue-light impacts my quality of sleep!

On my so&so iphone,I use the lock screen, without a password or anything so it's quick & easy to use again when I need, but I only don't actually lock it because I'm on my own, & no one has access to my phone. When I'm with more people I'd use a bit of security so no one could access it when I'm sleeping or if I leave it lying around.

Or if you don't mind the wait, simply turn it off overnight. Start it up when you wake. Any messages or calls you miss, you';; be notified about, or can check for yourself to see if anyone tried to contact you.

Of-course you do have to consider that either someone you know might want to contact you urgently, or you might need to call emergency yourself. & you can't do that if your phone is powered off.

I think, using the lock screen is best, so it goes dark until you touch the screen again. I tried the face recognition but it was unreliable in dim light, such as where you may be sleeping. Keying in a four-digit code is too slow. In any event, you can make a call to 000 if you need without unlocking the phone first.

Just press the right hand side button 5 (five) times, or simultaneously press both the right -hand button & one of the volume buttns on the left-hand side. Then the Emergency bar appears in the centre of the screen. Activate that to call 000.

I know that was a bit off topic, but it occured to me, while thinking about what to do do with the phone overnight, should the need arise, & you've thought to turn your phone off... no, I think, really it is best to leave it on, but in lock screen mode. Then, you won't see it unless you choose to.

Hope that's helpful.😸

*

I am also tempted to check what the time is, when I haven't gotten to sleep, or when I wake & it's still dark, or when there is a noisy neighbour & I think, if I want to make an official complaint, I want to tell them what time the noise woke me... I find it does not help me to know what time, how long I've tossed & turned - just makes me feel more frustrated. Lately I'm doing better at not finding out what the time is.

I know my sleep is erratic, so what does it matter?

If I'd had to get up for an appointment or if I had a job, I'd've been in trouble this morning! Tomorrow I do have to get up at a more reasonable time though, so I'd better not stay up too late tonight.

mmMekitty

One of my bad habits was that when I knew I had to get up early the next day I kept waking up in the middle of the night to check what time it was and calculate in my head how many more hours of sleep I had left! Does anyone else do this/did this?

Hi Missep,

I get too anxious & know if I have to get up earlier than I might usually wake on my own, I am sure to either or both not get to sleep early or wake too early, & then not get back to sleep, still thinking I will wake late, & of-course, be too tired during the day, & not concentrate well when I am at the scheduled appointment, or whatever, ...I figured out early, it only makes the anxiety worse if I check the time during the night.

I really don't like to use an alarm to wake me up.

Sometimes I have asked someone to phone me early, before arriving at my place, just to be sure I am awake , up & dressed in time.

Since being up on time to have time to get ready, is my responsibility, & I don't like to rely on someone phoning me, or alarms, or leaving curtains open so when the day brightns after sunrise, I might notice, ...I think my worry wakes me instead!

So, I try to schedule things for later in the mornings or afternoons. My anxiety still might bug me about being on time, but it is easier to be on time, albeit in a last minute rush!

mmMekitty

Oops, I did it again!

I was getting so tired I could barely keep my head up again, so...

I wanted a rest, put my legs up, but I went into a deep sleep earlier this evening, listening to my book... & I dropped off before I even knew I was doing it, & slept two hours, & felt I had to come from a long way, & in the dark & quiet I usually do't experience anymore, because of the problems with my sight & hearing. It felt like tunnelling up through the earth. I'd actually like to stay there longer, for the quiet I heard & the actual blackness I saw.

But, no, woke up & everything starts up again, sights, sounds, feelings, physical & emotional, then smell & touch - the whole of my bit of the world pouring in.

I've been up since, having decided to finish modifying my temporary profile picture, as usual, just for fun. I had an idea, & wanted to give it a go. I was determined to permit myself to be less precise as I once would. Can't anymore, & it strains my eyes to where they get really irritated. Still, it took hours. I'm sure people won't believe that, just looking at what I did. Yes, I got dinner, went to the little room, did some of my exercises, was distracted by neighbours, my book, & wanting to skip ads, get a drink of water, meds, eyedrops, & to see who was posting on the forums, Maybe it was two hours, really.. still, it's after 1:30am, because I accidently touched my phone & it said so.

Yet, I'm getting tired again. What may happen though, is that I will go into my bedroom & not be able to sleep.

We'll see...

mmMekitty

i've struggled with sleep just like my mental health (well depression, anxiety & paranoia anyway) since i was 12 in 2011, when i was in year 6 (primary school). if i go to bed early, don't have coffee, whatever, i still can't sleep. i have insomnia. i haven't tried any sleeping medication except for those Seremind which are natural lavender tablets (not really a medication as you can get them over the counter), for me they did nothing & it said take them for 2 weeks which i did. my psychiatrist recommended melatonin for me, since your body already has that & it's a small dosage, then if that didn't work, try a prescription sleeping medication. i'm scared to. i'm used to staying up late because it's the only time i really have to myself when i'm not bothered by people, like i don't have to eat or walk or whatever, i can have time to myself.

I am sorry you have been feeling this way robthomaslover! I heard that eating a few pistachios before bed has significant melatonin in them (I am not a medical professional but I heard that it helped a few of my friends!).

There is also a meditation I listen to on youtube 'Guaranteed sleep in 12 minutes' the narrator's voice is slow and deep and it tends to help me lull myself to sleep.

In saying that I'm sorry I know you might have tried all of these but thought I would post this just in case

I'm up late tonight. Lots of yawning but no sleeping. Not tired. Had a nap during the day. Today was a work day, it was alright, got through it ok. Tomorrow is a day off then back to work Sat. I'm pretty awake ATM, not sure when I'll sleep.

Oh, it is getting late! I've lost track of time, again.😼

Sometimes, when I'm not sleeping, but if I can feel reasonably comfortable, I do find it useful to simply lie down & just 'take a break' from this endless 'doing something'.🐱

I think, I'm not a real busy person/cat, but I'm always doing or going to do, haven't done yet, wanting to do, ...fidgeting too, rarely still anymore. It's even very rare for me to not have some music or book or tele programme on,, & so I'm not hearing my own brain (through my tinnitus). Even while writing a post, such as this one, I feel I am not fully focused, but hearing the fan, being annoyed by what my vision is doing, thinking, now I know how late it is, I've got to take my meds, & ought to be getting ready for bed...🙀

Wouldn't it be nice to have a little break?🙀

I must be really tired, thinking like this... after a long day, shopping, walking until it hurt too much...that sort of thing. I dozed earlier, but it rarely feels like enough.🙀

I hope I surprise myself & get to sleep quickly.🙀

mmMekitty💤

I had a good routine and then oops I realised for the past week or two I have slipped back to my old habits. Oh well, I will make sure to re-incorporate good sleeping habits again like journalling!

Hi Missep,

Interrupting a routine is so easy - that's what I think is why they are so hard to begin & maintain. & there isn't anyone who sticks perfectly to any routine. So, gently, encourage yourself to keep at it.

I used to write a lot, spilling everything onto the page before going to bed. If any thoughts arose, I would say to myself, I wrote them dowm, so no need to go over them again, now...tomorrow will be soon (often too soon!) enough. I had to watch for when I'd get very emotional, because that could keep me awake longer, too.

Hoping you sleep well, 😸most nights,

mmMekitty

I have tried writing down all my thoughts before bed but there way too many and would take me all night write them down. Plus the more I write the more I over think.

After a family argument I think I’ll be up late again. Insomnia is tough. I might do some meditation and I also find podcasts help, particularly Star Trek ones 😁

😺 Oh NO!!! You probably shouldn't tell me about Star Trek podcasts ... only give me a great desire to stay up late... no matter how tired I am! I'd want to concentrate on those too much & fight going to sleep.

The most difficult thing is when there is too much on my mind. When I want to 'fix' something. by at least thinking of what I'll do, what decision to make, & even imagining what I'll write in that important email I sent the other day, kept me awake. The audiobook, that morning, wasn't interesting enough to distract me, & if it was, I suspect I would hav not slept for listening.

& then I get hungry...

I try to not sleep during the day, but so often I do. I am simply so tired. Maybe it is these tablets I'm on now, I'll have to ask my GP - but not until I can see her next Thursday.... & everything else that is annoying...

mmMekitty

Fair call, the trek podcasts keep me awake too sometimes 😊

Sounds like we’re dealing with similar situations. I’ve been getting hungry at night, either before bed or trying to sleep. It’s good that you are seeing your GP about it.

There are some podcasts with relaxing music. It doesn’t work all the time, but it can help.

I hope you get some sleep tonight.

I also get really hungry late at night especially when I'm trying too sleep! I realised that I was eating too early for my own routine which meant I kept getting hungry at 11pm!

It 's better for me if I eat my evening meal at around 6-7 pm, but what do I do if that is when I feel too tired to even think about cooking & eating? It is better for my digestive system if I eat early, a couple hours at least before bed. & I ought to be sticking to aroutine bed time, too... but when I wake at 2am - 4am, & am unable to get back to sleep easily, the I will still feel hungry enough to get up & have a snack, nothing heavy or large at all, as if to only tell my tummy it is not so empty as all that!

My habits have been so irregular for so long, since I was a teenager, I'm not at all convinced I could re-establish any sort of 'normal' routine. I find trying to do that is very disrruptive!

Last night, the book I was listening to turned out to be too interesting. I dozed a little here & there, & then I woke at almost 5am, & couldn't get back to sleep.

At least i did my online grocery shopping, (to be delivered Friday).

Then, I was tired again after lunch... but really, it wasn't as bad as some days have been recently.

I need to get into a better routine for when I eat dinner because I have realised since it's been fluctuating so much that's when I will get randomly hungry late at night! When I am 'supposed to' be winding down from bed! Reading what you have written @mmMekitty has helped to make me feel comforted.

Getting into a routine can be challenging I can completely relate!

Anyone else can’t sleep?

Hello Harpbird,

Sorry to hear you can’t sleep. I keep waking up frequently during the night lately and feel so tired during the day.

It’s so cold and extremely windy outside at the moment.

LL

I have been sitting here watching tv and under a blanket, can’t get this headache under control 😖 , it sure is blowing a gale outside. But I did enjoy watching the love boat lol oh dear 🤦🏻‍♀️

It’s pretty much impossible to sleep with a headache! :(

I do like falling asleep with the tv on for some reason. Maybe I should get a little one for my room.