Sleeplessness

I have developed quite the difficulty sleeping.  Some people might say that's what happens when you get older.  Some people would say it's due to stress.  A question I usually ask others is 'what are you thinking about?' because worry often keeps people awake at night.  For me, it might be all of these things.  I've always been one of those people that requires a lot of sleep in order to function and I really enjoy sleeping.  So, this problem bothers me!

The last couple months I've had some problems getting to sleep.  My mind begins to wander from one random thought to the next.  I sometimes think about all the things I didn't get done that day.  Paranoia also settles in.  As I lay there praying for sleep to come, every noise can send my mind into a tailspin of bad things that could happen to me.  The brain is a dangerous organ when it gets out of control!  I convince myself that someone's outside or someone's going to try to get into my house.  Then sometimes I awake suddenly in the middle of the night.  This is quite the mystery, because how does your brain go from resting to awakening anxiety?! 

I've used Melatonin, but that's not very effective anymore.  I really don't like to take medication, but when I get desperate there's the occasional Tylenol PM.  I've tried reading, but I'm still not at a place where I enjoy it.  And when nothing seems to work, I move to the couch and allow the TV to distract my mind. 

Last week I actually made it to the gym multiple times.  It worked!  I was going to use the excuse that I was too tired to go because of my lack of sleep.  It's a good thing I went because I slept better!  I'm not saying I slept great, just better.  It still took me some time to get to sleep, and I still woke up a few times throughout the night.  But the level of anxiety I felt during those times was a lot less. 

I suppose I need to work on my state of mindfulness.  I remember what my parents would say when I would get up to tell them I couldn't sleep.... Go to bed.  Close your eyes.  Lay very still.  Think of something peaceful and happy....