How to Switch Off an Overactive Brain

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SUMMARY

This discussion focuses on strategies to manage an overactive brain, particularly in relation to sleep difficulties. Participants share various methods, including the use of audiobooks, comedy cassettes, and medications like trazodone and melatonin. Many contributors highlight the challenge of quieting their minds, especially when trying to sleep, and suggest that distractions such as TV or reading can help. Overall, the conversation reveals a collective struggle with sleep-related issues and the search for effective coping mechanisms.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of sleep disorders and their impact on mental health
  • Familiarity with sleep aids, including over-the-counter medications like Doxylamine Succinate
  • Knowledge of relaxation techniques, such as listening to audiobooks
  • Awareness of lifestyle factors affecting sleep, such as caffeine and alcohol consumption
NEXT STEPS
  • Research the effects of trazodone and its alternatives for sleep management
  • Explore the benefits of audiobooks as a sleep aid and how to select appropriate content
  • Investigate the role of melatonin in regulating sleep cycles and its potential side effects
  • Learn about cognitive behavioral therapy techniques for managing racing thoughts at bedtime
USEFUL FOR

Individuals experiencing insomnia, mental health professionals, and anyone seeking effective strategies to manage an overactive mind during sleep.

  • #91
I don't have time to read the whole thread, but Citalopram (and occassionally 6-8 ounces of Scotch) work for me. I'll return and read the rest later.
 
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  • #92
Count Iblis said:
Why not use earplugs?

I never would use earplugs. First, I think just having something in my ears would drive me bonkers all by itself. But, if they're soundproof enough to block out the sounds that would keep me awake, wouldn't they also block out the sound of my alarm clock in the morning?
 
  • #93
Being deaf in one ear i only have to lay on my good ear to shut out noise, but i think half the problem is just knowing the noise is there.
 
  • #94
Moonbear said:
I never would use earplugs. First, I think just having something in my ears would drive me bonkers all by itself. But, if they're soundproof enough to block out the sounds that would keep me awake, wouldn't they also block out the sound of my alarm clock in the morning?

even the best 33 db foam earplugs arent that good. just make sure you have a loud alarm.

(buy your earplugs in bulk. its much cheaper)
 
  • #95
And there's a neat new alarm that I found on either 'Gizmag' or 'I Want One Of Those' (can't remember which right now). The actual alarm (audible unit) jumps off of the clock and bounces around the room until you get up and capture it.
All the more reason to sleep with a 12-gauge beside the bed. :rolleyes:
 
  • #96
granpa said:
even the best 33 db foam earplugs arent that good. just make sure you have a loud alarm.

(buy your earplugs in bulk. its much cheaper)

Still doesn't address the problem of them just plain being annoying to have in my ears.
 
  • #97
Danger said:
And there's a neat new alarm that I found on either 'Gizmag' or 'I Want One Of Those' (can't remember which right now). The actual alarm (audible unit) jumps off of the clock and bounces around the room until you get up and capture it.
All the more reason to sleep with a 12-gauge beside the bed. :rolleyes:


:smile: My students were just talking about that today! One of them was commenting how she has to set three alarms to get up in the morning, and another brought up the topic of the alarm clock that runs away from you. Since getting a cat, that happens anyway, since I usually use my cell phone as my alarm (too many power failures here to rely on a plugged in alarm clock)...Ember likes to play with the cell phone while I'm sleeping, and some mornings, I really do have to hunt for it to figure out where she's knocked it.
 
  • #98
Moonbear said:
I never would use earplugs. First, I think just having something in my ears would drive me bonkers all by itself. But, if they're soundproof enough to block out the sounds that would keep me awake, wouldn't they also block out the sound of my alarm clock in the morning?

I only need an alarm when I have to wake up earlier than usual. I then use a timer that switches on a strong light. I started to use earplugs occasionally a long time ago, only when there was a lot of noise. In the beginning I didn't like to use them. But later I found that I slept much better with earplugs, even if there wasn't a lot of noise.
 
  • #99
Count Iblis said:
I only need an alarm when I have to wake up earlier than usual. I then use a timer that switches on a strong light. I started to use earplugs occasionally a long time ago, only when there was a lot of noise. In the beginning I didn't like to use them. But later I found that I slept much better with earplugs, even if there wasn't a lot of noise.

I was using earplugs and a mask for a while because my wife likes to fall asleep to the TV and I don't.

Trouble is, I didn't sleep well because I was afraid I wouldn't hear my alarm in the morning...
 
  • #100
DaveC426913 said:
I was using earplugs and a mask for a while because my wife likes to fall asleep to the TV and I don't.

Trouble is, I didn't sleep well because I was afraid I wouldn't hear my alarm in the morning...

I guess my internal body clock is quite reliable. If I wake up after, say, sleeping 6 hours, I just know that I can still sleep 2 hours. If I fall asleep again I never oversleep by more than ten minutes.

I do have problems when going to bed and trying to fall asleep. Then I really don't want to know the time and earplugs are a big help. I then don't hear any clocks or church bells. These have the effect of reminding me what time it is when I'm half asleep. This resets the process of falling asleep, which is very irritating!
 
  • #101
Count Iblis said:
I guess my internal body clock is quite reliable.

Mine is quite reliable too, it's just set to wake me up a few hours AFTER I need to be at work. :rolleyes:
 
  • #102
Moonbear said:
Mine is quite reliable too, it's just set to wake me up a few hours AFTER I need to be at work. :rolleyes:

Then you should go to bed a few hours earlier. Or, perhaps you could try to get away with what http://www.boston.com/bostonglobe/o...icon_taught_physics_classes_with_wit/?page=2"

Because he preferred to slip under the covers when everyone else was slipping out, Dr. Coleman eschewed morning classes. Legend has it he turned down teaching a 9 a.m. class, offering by way of explanation: "I can't stay up that late."
 
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  • #103
I am convinced that I could be locked into a room with no windows or clocks or outside information of any kind and I would get onto a schedule where I stayed up all night and slept all day.
 
  • #104
I really wish that a day was 26 hours. :D
 
  • #105
I was awake all last night thinking about fixing my dripping bathroom tap and entropy, if it weren't one it was tother, why such a mix i do not know.
 
  • #106
wolram said:
I was awake all last night thinking about fixing my dripping bathroom tap and entropy, if it weren't one it was tother, why such a mix i do not know.
Dripping taps are an http://perso.numericable.fr/cricordeau41/quatuor/english/fractal_31.htm" for the study of chaos theory.
 
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  • #107
DaveC426913 said:
Dripping taps are an http://perso.numericable.fr/cricordeau41/quatuor/english/fractal_31.htm" for the study of chaos theory.

Way cool, now i have to make a drip detector/counter.
 
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