I started getting insomnia around 3 months ago. It started with a couple of very bad night’s sleep, and hasn’t recovered. Whilst I don’t feel like I get any sleep, my wife tells me I fall asleep quickly, but then I wake up an hour or two later, wide awake, and can’t get back to sleep.
Initially, after 30 minutes to an hour (I’m guessing times here, as I’ve turned my clock around so I can’t see it), I’ll then give up, and go downstairs and eventually fall asleep on the couch.
I’ve now found (and I know it’s not recommended) that after tossing and turning for what feels like an age, and trying all sorts of calming techniques (counting, muscle awareness, acceptance, deep breathing), I’ll play a couple of boring games on my phone for around 45 minutes to an hour, and THEN I can fall asleep. The downside however of being overtired during the day, is not helpful, nor is the cycle then repeating the next night.
Dozing in front of the TV from between 9:30 and 10:30 at night also happens, then I get to bed, and not tired!
As a last resort, I’ve enrolled in a meditation course.. but even then, I feel like brain is sabotaging my mental health, by refusing to accept that anything will help.
I’m extremely reluctant to try medication. I’ve only heard bad things about it, although have tried very small doses of Doxylmaine, which stopped working after a week.
Can anybody please relate to this, and tell me what worked for them?