- Date posted
- 16w ago
Sleep hygeine
Does anyone have tips on good sleep hygeine? What does everyone use to relax and wind down before bedtime?
Does anyone have tips on good sleep hygeine? What does everyone use to relax and wind down before bedtime?
I struggled BAD with insomnia during both spirals of ocd. This past one I was up for two almost three days. I felt so alone and scared. But I had to come up with a routine. I take my shower, wash my face, then get dressed in my favorite pajamas. I spray my pillow with lavender and sometimes just laying down with my cat I fall asleep or I read a chapter of a book to just relax and then fall asleep. I’ve also used breathing videos on YouTube to calm me down before bed!
Thank you for your kindness! I will try these, my cat definately helps as well as being with my partner. Do you have any good book recomendations?
@Marinaw2024 I like fiction books I am reading fourth wing right now! I do try to stay away from “triggering” books. I recently read it ends with us and there was some domestic violence which made it harder for me to fall asleep. I recommend looking up happy books or feel good books so they don’t get your mind going before bed!
@Dunkin2019! Agreed! I do that with shows or movies, i try to watch lighthearted movies or shows i feel like suspense or gore ramps my anxiety up
@Dunkin2019! I feel like lately everything has been a triggger for me, i recently got a self help book for my intrusive / obsessive thoughts. I will try and read some tonight before bed instead of watching a movie lol
I love sleep hygiene! The best part is that sleep hygiene is sort of subjective to the person… which means there’s rules you can follow but you also have to do what feels best for you. Number one is to try and have a consistent sleep and wake up time each day (even on the weekends if possible!). For me, I feel best when I don’t look at my phone for at least 30 minutes before bed. I use this time to apply my night time skin care routine, brush my teeth and put on my pajamas. I like to do a crossword puzzle because I find they make me sleepy. But a book or even listening to a podcast is great (just limit the amount of time you are looking directly into your phone!). They also recommend sleeping in a clean space (ie not a ton of clutter around you). If you are like me and have doom piles everywhere 🤪 I try to avoid making them in my room!
Thank you! I tend to get really antsy when my room is a mess, lately ive been feeling so down that i havent cleaned up in awhile. I will definately use your tips and get my room in order!
I like to meditate or listen to sleep frequencies/meditations videos on YouTube to help me fall asleep
I love this! Do you reccomend any specific creator?
@Marinaw2024 I like Michael Sealey for Sleep Hypnosis! Ik that sounds weird but it’s just calming to my mind haha
@Lalilolou I have always been so scared of sleep hypnosis, hearing that someone else does it makes it a little less scary lol
@Marinaw2024 Hahah yeah tbh I listen for like 30 seconds and then knock out because his voice just helps turn my brain off
@Lalilolou Do you like to use essential oils too? Ive been using lavender in my duffuser lately and that helps, but its also a hit and miss because last night Sucked!
@Marinaw2024 Yes I like essential oils too but yeah depends on my mood! My mindset and mental state definitely affects my sleep quality in general
@Lalilolou Agreed, i hate the fatigue that comes along with it
@Marinaw2024 Me too😭 the things I’d do for peace of mind
@Lalilolou I feel like some days im clear ish, and others im losing it 🙁 the days im feeling more levelheadded im constantly mentally checking. It exausting
Hi everyone! I’m not sure if anyone has had any issues with sleep and anxiety but these past couple of weeks I’ve been suffering with anxiety when trying to sleep. My mind will latch on to the idea that I won’t sleep and I’ll continuously try to fall asleep and end up psychoanalyzing everything im doing . Usually I end up freaking out and not sleeping and waking up with maybe >2 hrs a sleep a night and have an awful day the next day. I’m lowkey hopeless in this situation, I’ve tried melatonin, sleeping early, limited screen time and nothing will work.. does anyone have any tips and tricks on what to do?
At times, my intrusive thoughts get so intense that all I can do is lay frozen in my bed and hope I fall asleep, and usually I do even if I'm not tired. My brain just wears me out and I wanna escape through sleep. (Sadly it doesn't work all the time)
hi. so one big factor of my OCD is rumination. i met a guy who i have a crush on the idea of (idea bc there are red flags). my biggest fear is not finding true love, my ex told me no one else would deal with what i have (my ocd, specifically reassurance seeking and getting overstimulated after intimacy). a few weeks ago, my friends and family all gathered and tried to give me advice that sounded like “you’re shy and you’ll never find someone.” after that, i’ve felt off. i’ve been using an unhealthy coping skill, daydreaming, and i’ve just felt unbalanced. my ocd makes everything feel different sometimes, i can’t explain it. life, myself, almost like being in a dissociated state. has anyone else experienced that? i don’t know how to remain balanced during my off times and i know pms exasperates it all. i take ashwaghanda and omega 3s in a multi vitamin daily. i take them all together in the evening but i’ve missed three days recently and also messed with my rocky sleep schedule because of fun times with friends. i hope these supplements work, because i don’t know if i’d be brave enough for medication. i had a bad reaction on prozac and often am forgetful. i just have been battling my OCD consciously for almost ten years now and unconsciously for longer. i am so tired, as my mental health extends beyond my OCD. i’m in talk therapy with some cbt aspects but i only see her twice a month. i’ve broken down so many times and promised myself id get on track or that certain things would work, but it’s like i am stuck in a circle that gets smaller when i’m able to help myself. i just want to be normal. i want to be able to mess up my sleep schedule to enjoy good times and not suffer horrible consequences or fear that i will be entirely thrown off balance. i don’t want to worry or doubt or feel so dissociative that i squint my eyes for a moment and wonder why i feel so unreal. i will never understand why god has allowed me to go through this. i cannot let it be for nothing but i don’t know how much more to bend and contort my body and brain to get somewhere stable but how lovely it would be if i could. i don’t have much of a schedule right now, i get apathetic and give in with things from time to time. one thing can trigger me and i am back to square one wether in a week or month. any advice, any and all is so helpful. your stories, your thoughts. maybe feeling less alone and knowing what has helped you is exactly what i need right now. thank you 💗
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