Cutting Down Alcohol Thread

fatrab

Can you put me down for all 5 SNCs this week please Shaggy?

fatrab

Green_Karen wrote: »

BUT sleeping remains a problem. I know usually it's the opposite and people report they sleep better and longer. But I am struggling to get off to sleep when I never have before, also I am waking early. I don't feel tired during the day, so it's not posing a real problem, but it would be nice to hit the pillow and go straight off like I used to. Does anyone have any suggestions?

When I stopped regular drinking (5 or 6 nights per week) I struggled for a little while to get to sleep but I've always been an early riser, it was just that I woke up with a clear head for a change!


To get to sleep, and I know this goes against conventional wisdom, I used to take the tablet to bed and watch things like out-takes from Mock the Week or other comedy shows. The outtake compilations were up to an hour long and I don't think I ever saw the end of one! I think I have seen every Frankie Boyle joke about 50 times though.....


I don't struggle to sleep now, I'm usually ready for bed by 10 and awake between 5.30 and 6am without an alarm clock, but sometimes I'm awake at 4! I function perfectly well with around 6hrs sleep but I know some folk need more

Honey_Bear

fatrab wrote: »

Still pinching myself, can't believe I've made it through the process. There were 23,000 applicants!

You did exceptionally well, but the thing that every job hunter should remember is that no matter how many applicants there are, the job/s have to go to someone. If you get an interview it means everyone recognises you can do the work, the interview is about who you are as a person.

In my NHS days, they always shortlisted six people for interview. Pretty much every interview I ever attended or heard about, at least one, and usually two, candidates didn't turn up - no phone call, no nothing. So what might seem like an outside chance at the beginning of the process can be down to a 1:4 chance. Not bad odds in comparison.

Green_Karen wrote: »

BUT sleeping remains a problem. I know usually it's the opposite and people report they sleep better and longer. But I am struggling to get off to sleep when I never have before, also I am waking early. I don't feel tired during the day, so it's not posing a real problem, but it would be nice to hit the pillow and go straight off like I used to. Does anyone have any suggestions?

I read, unlike FatRab, books. I still do. I love reading and I now raid the library and secondhand charity bookshops because there's no such thing as enough books. That works for me. Try everything.

What is astonishing though, is that 50% of people who attend a sleep clinic are cured overnight by being told to give up caffeine - in coffee, in tea, in fizzy drinks. That 50% have lived with insomnia for years, they've been to their GPs repeatedly, been referred to a sleep specialist, been on a waiting list for months if not years - and it was caffeine. It really is Sleep Enemy No 2, after booze whichis Sleep Enemy No 1.

It took me about a week to switch over to decaff coffee gradually because the withdrawal headaches are incredibly painful otherwise (real, decaffinated Lavazza is the only brand I like) and I've worked out it has exactly one third of regular real coffee. I can drink two cafetieres full of it in the mornings, and I never, ever drink it after 1.00 pm. I only drink fruit tea, not even green tea, and I never drink fizzy drinks. It's helped enormously. No more insomnia, unless I've gone to somewhere like Cafe Nero and had two real ones in the morning, and then I can't get to sleep until 4.30 or 5.00 am. Hot chocolate also has caffeine in it.

The fact that you're fine in the daytime despite the lack of sleep would indicate that caffeine is probably involved.

10/31 please, Shaggy.

Barny1979

5/15 AFDs today

AnnieG

Green Karen I've just discovered a podcast called Sleep with me. It sounds a bit strange but it's essentially a man talking absolute nonsense, it works as background noise and I find it very helpful.

8/15 for me Shaggy, I think I'll try for 3 on the SNC, thank you

maggiem

5/14 and 1SNC please.

Hope the advice re caffeine helps Green Karen. I haven't been successful re sleep, fall asleep ok usually but wake up throughout the night 3.05 is a particularly unfavourite time. Good luck with the sleeping

Willowtree222

10 for me for December, please. 2/4 SNC. X

fatrab

Honey_Bear wrote: »

Hot chocolate also has caffeine in it.

:eek: Oh no, don't tell me that?!?!?!? For some reason I've never associated caffeine with chocolate but now you mention it.......

I don't drink tea or coffee, or fizzy drinks (I don't like the taste of artificial sweeteners and real cola has way too many syns for someone doing SW!) but I like a hot chocolate now and again! I'm very sensitive to caffeine though, and energy drinks are an absolute no-no for me.

Today will be 3/5 SNC and 7/20 for the month please Shaggy.

Thanks

Barny1979

Calling early for 6/15 AFDs today

sukeyboo

AF yesterday and will be today so up to 5/10 please Shaggy