waking up in the middle of the night

[Shadow Phoenix]

Lately, I've been waking up in the middle of the night. I don't have much trouble getting back to sleep honestly, but for awhile, I'm awake and depressed about something and sometimes afraid of something and I'm not even sure what it is.

I speculate it could be listening to other people's problems a lot on the net. I'm curious if anyone else is like this, but sometimes after hearing someone else's quirks and problems, I can tend to take them on a little bit myself. Maybe it's a powerful way of internalizing someone's difficulties. I don't know.

Anyhow, just curious if anyone has any thoughts on this and anything I can do to stop it.

[BeHereNow]

Your mind is not at ease, Nick. First, let me ask you this: what do you dream about right before awakening? Are you dreaming about a real life situation that you either experienced, read about, or saw? Are you, as you mention, internalizing to the point that it interferes with your dreams?

On a personal note, I often wake up in the middle of the night and engage in a half-dream state dialogue with my students and colleagues. My job is so much a part of who I am that I dream I'm teaching almost every night.

If you can pinpoint what it is that's causing your mind to be uneasy, it will be more possible to find a solution. Perhaps you could create a rule that you won't use the internet for at least an hour before bed. Get your mind into something else, like a compelling fiction story, a crossword puzzle, or even a tv show (not news or non-fiction).

Also, do you tend to eat or drink the same types of things before bed? Are you intaking too much caffeine or sugar throughout the day? Is your diet healthy?

Cheers.

[RumTumTugger]

Actually BHN has some good advise. I try to get off the internet an hour before I got to bed and dont' read or watch TV in bed I do that in teh living room. and I"ve been told no caffiene after 1pm and it does seem to help.

[Spinyn00bman]

Wish I could relate Nick. When sleep takes me it takes a nuclear explosion to wake me!!!

[Shadow Phoenix]

BHN has great advice. I'm gonna post in the Chaplain's office a brief review of what's going on.

[Telleriab2]

Wish I could relate Nick. When sleep takes me it takes a nuclear explosion to wake me!!!

And that is assuming that there is still enough of you left to wake up after the explosion?

I am becoming a bit insomniac myself. I wake up in the middle of the night and sometimes will not go back to sleep for the rest of the time (which rarely happens). I often just go back to sleep after a few minutes. During those times, I stay up pondering several things. I find that if I just close my eyes and just concentrate on breathing, I can sleep.

[Spinyn00bman]

And that is assuming that there is still enough of you left to wake up after the explosion?
.

There may not be much left, but it will be awake!!!

[BeHereNow]

Actually BHN has some good advise. I try to get off the internet an hour before I got to bed and dont' read or watch TV in bed I do that in teh living room. and I"ve been told no caffiene after 1pm and it does seem to help.

That reminds me. A solid piece of advice I got years ago was to make your bedroom exclusively for sleeping. All other activity, especially things that are mentally engaging (reading, computer, games, etc.) should be done in other rooms. This will create an atmosphere of peace in your room. In my last apartment, I gave it a go. In my bedroom was a bed, couch, lamp, and a table with nothing on it but an alarm clock. I had wonderful, restful sleep almost every night in that apartment.

I realize that if you live with the folks, it may not be possible to do that. The idea in that scenario would be to make whatever moves you can towards sanctifying your room as a place of relaxation and inactivity.

[Abigail]

When you wake in the middle of the night take the opportunity to pray

[Pilgrim]

Nick, don't forget physical causes either. People who suffer from sleep apnia report waking to feelings like the ones you describe as well. And generally fall asleep easily after waking.

I only mention sleep apnia because, typically, sleeplessness caused from psychological or emotional circumstances, is not as easily resloved. Most people are kept awake for a significant period of time in those cases.