what do you do at 4am when u can't sleep

PeacefulWaters

Mind your own business!

Alias_Omega

Usually watch the clock, calculating how many minutes/seconds there are to go before i have to get up for work. Then usually calculate it totally wrong as im laying on my side, and the clock is horizontal. I tend to then listen out to the quiet house, and anything that is outside. I often fall back to sleep to be awoke feeling like i have "only just fallen asleep". If the phone comes out, i usually have a few emails that need deleting and then im awake after that..

For me, i get up at 05:30, and set off to work at 06:30 (work starts at 07:30)...

Marvel1

Get up, watch a film or play on the PS4.

Serendipitious

Tea and toast and read my book, or, if I have an early start, a tall glass of water (not icy cold though.)

Sometimes, if it's an early start ahead of me, and I wake in the night, I'll leave the lamp on. That makes waking up a bit later on feel less harsh.

fromdusktilldawn

Make a cup of tea, read a book. It's worse if you worry about it.

System

Browse the internet on my phone.

brianh

Will try to just relax in bed (can usually cope next day with relaxation and a cat nap) but on the odd occasion I can't will get up and watch a little TV and/or log on to betting exchange (my hobby) for interest.

mad_spaniel

It wasn't a case of waking up at 4 am it was a case of never getting to sleep in the first place. I also woke at 6 and then again 9, so sleep when it did come was fitful. Also getting significant headaches, despite taking paracetamol/ antidepressants/ other psych meds, so I know I'm stressed and have been for the last 5 months.I have access to mental health services but am not suicidal or an urgent case. Manic maybe. I have an appointment with the psychiatrist end of February.

Lucyxx

I have the opposite problem and sleep too much, but this past couple of weeks while I've been up coughing I have sat on my phone on the Internet. Not necessarily the best idea!

When I used to be a manager in my old job I would find myself not sleeping thinking of things needing sorting out the next day. I found writing a list before bed (and I still do it now I am home more with housework jobs/admin) Made it feel like it was getting it out of my brain and onto paper so I knew things wouldn't be forgotten and were in some sort of order and I fell asleep easily.

Maybe writing down what is troubling you in a list before bed, what you need to do to overcome it (if the situation means you can) etc might work the same?? Good luck xxx

martinbuckley

Going downstairs and putting the TV on with something I have recorded and really want to watch guarantees I'm asleep within 5 minutes!