How do I stop my insomnia?

Pre-College Topics High School Life
1

<p>Not sure if this is the correct place to ask this, but I'm really desperate.</p>

<p>Actually, I'm not even sure if I have insomnia. I just know that I have trouble with sleep. I really need help. Sorry, this might be a long post, but I want to make sure to explain everything clearly. </p>

<p>I'm an almost-18-year-old female living in a dorm at my boarding school. I sleep pretty comfortably when I go home some weekends and can get enough sleep when I want to. However, my roommate at school has this freakishly loud alarm clock that screeches, and it used to be pretty bothersome (even though I wore earplugs). I used to rarely get enough sleep at school and would just look forward to going home to make up my sleep. But I couldn't go home this weekend. Also, for the past week, I've woken up every morning at 6:55, 5 minutes before my roommate's alarm would go off (she has earlier classes than I do; I usually set my own alarm to 9 am...). </p>

<p>It's not just that I wake up too early; I also have serious problems with falling asleep. I can probably actually fall asleep in one out of 8 naps I attempt to take in the afternoon... And at night. When I try to go to sleep at 12 am... I probably don't usually fall asleep until close to 1 am or even later. I don't know what to think at night to make myself fall asleep. I usually just tend to think about how I have to fall asleep, I have to fall asleep. Which I know I SHOULDN'T think about, but how do I not think about that? And how do I stop thinking altogether (that's what my dad keeps telling me to do - not think about ANYTHING. But how do I do that?) </p>

<p>And even this morning I woke up at around 6:55 am. Even though my roommate set her alarm to 10:15 am. I slept at like 1:30 am last night because people were making noises outside our room for the longest time (yes, I was bothered by them even though I wore earplugs). Of course, I couldn't fall back asleep again. </p>

<p>How do I fix this? I read online that I should exercise every morning and limit computer/screen time. Which I'm going to try to do. I already worked out yesterday morning (it clearly didn't help). Limiting computer time may be a little bit more difficult, but I'll try it to see if it works. </p>

<p>I may also have anxiety or something. I'm sooo terrified about college decisions coming out, and I think about it a lot. I'm really worried. But I don't tend to think about it in bed (I try to avoid thinking about it altogether). I don't know. </p>

<p>Sorry, I just want to add. Even though the 6 hours I usually get on weekdays may be enough for me to function at school, it's obviously not "enough" sleep. It makes me really irritated that I'm only getting 6 hours of sleep when there's not reason why I can't get 8 or 9. I'm already starting to get dark circles under my eyes (which bothers me to no end). I don't have class until 10 am usually. Why can't I just freaking wake up like a normal person at 8 or 9?</p>

<p>I eat pretty healthy and am at a pretty good weight. I don't drink coffee or tea. I never drink soda. All I drink is water and milk in the morning. I eat at least 2 servings of fruit a day. I go to my school's vegan dining hall two meals a day. So I don't think diet is the issue. Although I can surely completely cut out the occasional chocolate dessert that I usually can't help but eat.</p>

<p>I just need some solid advice. Thank you in advance. (Sorry for the long read...)</p>

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<p>“Why can’t I just freaking wake up like a normal person at 8 or 9?” Because your roommate’s alarm is regularly waking you up at 6:55. You have two options. You can try to convince your roommate to use some kind of vibrating alarm that might not wake you up, and hope to sleep through your roommate getting ready. But I wouldn’t blame your roommate if she doesn’t like this idea. So, you need to keep the same hours as your roommate. Do not nap, that just messes up your nighttime sleep. Go to bed earlier. Try to keep regular hours. Get up when your roommate does; it might be a good time to exercise. And exercise regularly. Eat regularly. Turn off all your electronics about half an hour before bed, and just read in bed or something. A somewhat dull book may help you fall asleep. Good luck,</p>

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<p>Get your roommate to use a different alarm clock!</p>

4

<p>Exercise is always good and not only for sleep. Don’t eat right before you sleep, and try to take showers at night.</p>

5

<p>Dim your lights and try to settle down about an hour before bed. Also don’t eat right before bed. About exercise, don’t exercise too close to bed time because then you’re heart will be beating really fast and it will take a while to slow down. Exercise also helps relief anxiety as well so if you wanted to exercise in the morning or after your classes, that be great. I find that drinking chamomile tea helps me unwind before going to bed. </p>

<p>Naps basically screw over your sleep pattern and tend to do more harm than good.</p>

<p>As for your room mate, if you haven’t confronted her already about your issue I think you should. Suggest that she buys a new alarm clock.</p>