i recently just discovered that i couldn’t sleep and i have been checking the clock regularly to see if its time for myself to sleep and when i head to bed i could not sleep at all even though my body is exhausted so i will get up head to the toilet or go to my phone and ask tiktok for any advice on how to sleep easily i tried all sorts of mind games and counting and all but nothing seem to help i will be also just staring at the ceiling or just wondering why i cant sleep but the previous nights for me was okay for me its the holidays now so i tend to go to sleep usually 2-3am wake up around 1pm but now i just couldn’t find myself tired and my body is just stiffed and i cant seem to relax my body i want a proper sleep before i start school i really need sleep i took melatonin but i didnt wanted to take cause i don’t want to depend on them as they also have side effects and risks i need advice on what i can do as i think i have sleep anxiety
i force myself to sleep thinking i can sleep but i wake up feeling i didn’t slept at all
Hi @userr1511,
Thank you for reaching out. I hear how exhausting and frustrating this has been especially when you feel tired physically, but your mind just won’t let you rest…It does sounds like the checking of time, forcing self to sleep and worry about not sleeping became a cycle that adds on another layer of stress and keeps you awake.
On the melatonin, your instinct to not rely on it is reasonable. It is important to address the underlying concern like sleep schedules and the worries that stops you from having a good rest.
Perhaps I can share with you something that you can try out:
1. Instead of going to bed thinking “I must fall asleep”, try going to bed with the thought that “I am lying down just to rest”. Paradoxically, removing the pressure often helps with sleep.
2. Adjust the sleep schedule gradually
Sleeping at 2-3am and to 1pm over the holidays means your current body clock has been pushed quite far back. Your body might simply not be producing sleep signals when you try to sleep. Try gradually changing your wake time earlier by 30-45 minutes every day or two rather than changing it all at once.
If this continues to go on for more than a couple of weeks or gets worst, it is worth speaking to a doctor to assist you on this. But given you are on holidays and your schedule has shifted a lot, there’s a good chance getting your sleep window back on track will help a lot on its own.
Take care!