4 ms·

Ever try not exposing yourself to light at night? That's any light - overhead lights, computer screens, lamp poles. Your body produces melatonin based on that k

Ever try not exposing yourself to light at night? That's any light - overhead lights, computer screens, lamp poles. Your body produces melatonin based on that kind of input, and anything with significant blue light in it apparently stops you from producing it.

patrickk 15y ago
Believe me I've tried everything over the years. From what I've read about insomnia, it's incredibly subjective; things that work for one person won't help at all for others. Some people can get their "sleep hygiene" (stuff you are supposed to do in order to sleep well) all wrong, and still sleep like a log, e.g. drink plenty coffee late in the evening, noisy environment, lack of exercise, eating heavily close to bedtime etc. If I do any of these things I'm almost guaranteed to have an awful night's sleep. Recently I've bought a Kindle DX (used along with a relatively dim overhead freestanding lamp[1]), and I read that till I feel really sleepy. This satisfies my craving for reading instead of staring at a computer screen. The lack of a backlit screen shining into your retinas really helps! [1] http://p.mdcd.net/product_images/full/2b3c568350aa9759eaa00ae3eead90ad66dba9bd.jpg http://p.mdcd.net/product_images/full/2b3c568350aa9759eaa00a...
- salemh 15y ago
  I am a lifelong insomniac recently (the last 7 years or so) transitioned into parasomnia (inability to stay asleep). I've also "tried" everything and also feel the same when I get 2-3 days of very solid sleep in. A different person :) Strangely, I have had VERY good experiences with GABA, ZMA (both supplements, GNC etc.)Holy Basil extract (herbal pill). This combo really helps me fall and stay asleep more on Average versus most of anything else (including melatonin). It helps as an assistant, not a knock-out Ambien like sleep aid, which I can't use if I want to be alert for work :)
lupatus 15y ago
This can also be tough to do if you live in a very northerly or southerly latitude. For example, I live in Alaska and it did not get dark last night until approximately 1 AM, local time. I've adapted myself to sleeping when the clock says I should and not based on how well lit it is.

patrickk 15y ago

Believe me I've tried everything over the years. From what I've read about insomnia, it's incredibly subjective; things that work for one person won't help at all for others. Some people can get their "sleep hygiene" (stuff you are supposed to do in order to sleep well) all wrong, and still sleep like a log, e.g. drink plenty coffee late in the evening, noisy environment, lack of exercise, eating heavily close to bedtime etc. If I do any of these things I'm almost guaranteed to have an awful night's sleep. Recently I've bought a Kindle DX (used along with a relatively dim overhead freestanding lamp[1]), and I read that till I feel really sleepy. This satisfies my craving for reading instead of staring at a computer screen. The lack of a backlit screen shining into your retinas really helps! [1] http://p.mdcd.net/product_images/full/2b3c568350aa9759eaa00ae3eead90ad66dba9bd.jpg http://p.mdcd.net/product_images/full/2b3c568350aa9759eaa00a...

salemh 15y ago
I am a lifelong insomniac recently (the last 7 years or so) transitioned into parasomnia (inability to stay asleep). I've also "tried" everything and also feel the same when I get 2-3 days of very solid sleep in. A different person :) Strangely, I have had VERY good experiences with GABA, ZMA (both supplements, GNC etc.)Holy Basil extract (herbal pill). This combo really helps me fall and stay asleep more on Average versus most of anything else (including melatonin). It helps as an assistant, not a knock-out Ambien like sleep aid, which I can't use if I want to be alert for work :)

lupatus 15y ago

This can also be tough to do if you live in a very northerly or southerly latitude. For example, I live in Alaska and it did not get dark last night until approximately 1 AM, local time. I've adapted myself to sleeping when the clock says I should and not based on how well lit it is.