The Owl's Nest-The Nocturnal Imperative

[Miss Lockheart]

I would give tips on beating insomnia but I think that might be missing the point of nighttime appreciation...

[JET73L]

Originally Posted by Terminal Est

Incidentally, there are several references to Poe in both my posts.

1. Ah, yes. Most notably from the whole "Lenore" phase, but I'm probably missing much more blatant references.
2. Poe's workks are not only classic, but good.
2.5. Watching a zombie movie in the dark is better than readding a zombie book (one of the few timnes you will hear me say a movie is better than a book)

[Firesnake]

true true but reading a book lets your imagination run wild :P

[Terminal Est]

Originally Posted by Miss Lockheart

I would give tips on beating insomnia but I think that might be missing the point of nighttime appreciation...

Anything is welcome. I could personally go for some insomnia tips, anyway.

[JET73L]

Originally Posted by Firesnake

true true but reading a book lets your imagination run wild :P

Ah, but a movie has the ability to startle you, whereas a book can only surprise. Aslo, after a zombie move, you still have hours of darkness in which to see the undead craweling from the shadows of your imagination, and reading a book more than a couple of chapters long, you have to time it to finish reading int the middle of the night. Most books it is better to read than watch the movie, but with things like this, I find a movie to have more effect.

[Miss Lockheart]

Originally Posted by Terminal Est

Anything is welcome. I could personally go for some insomnia tips, anyway.

I've been looking at this more because a lot of people have been experiencing insomnia lately- yourself, JET, MidgarFanatic has been having trouble too. I think a lot of the things I would suggest, even if they don't help with sleep, might at least help people relax. It all looks a bit like hard work but there's no need to do them all if you don't want.

Before any herbs or potions come into it, the bedroom itself is a big problem. I've noticed my sleep becomes more disturbed the more electrical equipment there is in the bedroom , so I've removed the TV altogether. But people like TVs and PC to be in the bedroom (I have to keep my PC in my room because of certain small people), if it can't be avoided then get a cloth to put over it/them. This will stop radiation disturbing the room so much, and makes it look more calming anyway.

It helps to get up at the same time each day, even if you don't get to sleep at the same time each night, or at all. Even if you've had nil sleep, get up at a set time, it will help the body synchronise and you'll get tired too. And no daytime naps unless you get plenty of sleep at night.

It sounds like something you would do with a child, but bedtime routine helps, it triggers your mind into preparing for sleep. Do the same thing every night, no matter what time you get to bed or how monotonous it becomes. I make a point of doing the same thing every night once I turn the PC off- switch off, cover PC, bathroom, bed. In fact including a bath in that routine might really help, a warm bath will raise the body temperature making you drowsy.

Now we get to the herbal remedies, though try and use in conjunction with one of the above tips. I mentioned chamomile tea before, it's probably the strongest one available without visiting a health shop, you can just pick some up at the supermarket. I've kindof gotten used to chamomile so it doesn't affect me so much anymore, but if you're not used to it it can be quite powerful. Valerian I also mentioned (though not while depressed) and Skullcap, though you might have to visit a health shop for those. And I mentioned lavender oil for a bath or just to rub into your temples, that helps with relaxation. Try sprinking a couple of drops onto your pillow. But don't use too much or it will have the opposite effect- many people make that mistake thinking they can knock themselves out by sloshing loads of lavender on their pillow, then lay awake wondering why

I'll just give these for now, and if they don't work I'll suggest some more powerful ones. I'm interested to know which remedies JET tried which failed, I might be able to help

[Zotar]

Dad nabbit! i can't think of any more comedy at the moment...

Someone else try it.

[Miss Lockheart]

It's pretty hard to follow medical advice with comedy ^^

[Terminal Est]

Yes, no electronics in my bedroom...I have tried so many things such as these suggested alterations, but nothing ever works.

Many other methods have been suggested to me like tea and medicine, such as you have suggested in your last paragraph. So I SWEAR, when I am doing my grocery shopping this weekend, I am finally going to try this chamomile tea. I am not a fan of tea really, which is why I never do, but I will this time.
However, I have, for the past month, been attempting to eat healthier foods. do you think this may help?

Oh yes, and waking at the same hour of day. I always do that, but I am always so tired when I wake that I could sleep for another year.

Although I have noticed that extended periods of time upon the computer really does exhaust me.

[Miss Lockheart]

Hmmm it's a common problem of the modern world- we need to spend a lot of time at the computer, and it exhausts us in a weird way that prevents sleep. I know when I've spent too long at the computer because I end up dreaming of "posting"! Same with a game I'm really into, I'll see it in my sleep, and wake up wondering what the heck is going on

It's such an unnatural feeling, knowing you are tired but not being able to rest. When I was with my ex and I had quite a bit of insomnia, I used to make myself just lie there in bed, just so I could get some rest. Though lying in pitch darkness doesn't always work for sleep- I found lighting a small candle helped, it's kindof calming and softens the room up making the atmosphere more relaxing. Or something!

Yaya try the chamomile tea! I admit when you first try it, it's an acquired taste (I get a flavoured one with apple or honey because the plain one isn't that pleasant) but it does the job