Middle of the night negativity

Yes, I'm the same. During daylight hours I'm occupied but in the early hours I lie awake with my thoughts - regret about the past which I can't change, concern about the present and worry about the future.

These continue as though they're on a repeating loop. I try to think positive thoughts, daydreams etc. I've no idea how much sleep I actually get. As I'm not falling asleep during the day it must be an adequate amount.

You always make me laugh Rufus. Slainte.

3am for me too (think I'm turning into my mother). Worries going round and round, either real, like current health problems or what-ifs about the DGC. I'll try the word repetition absent and your backward numbers, Maggiemaybe, and thank you both for the ideas.

It's reassuring to find that so many of us have this problem, I suppose, as sometimes it can feel very lonely in the middle of the night, even if there is someone else there but you don't want to spoil their sleep.

Thanks absent and maggiemaybe....with a combination of both your suggestions I’ve just had the best sleep in a long time ....feel great this morning

I think many women do this, don’t think men suffer from lying awake in the night, at least my DH doesn’t seem to.
I have odd nights when I wake and as you say various scenarios flit through my mind. Mainly stuff I can do nothing about, and unknown horrors that might happen.
Just part of being a wife, mum and granny I suppose.

I think the reason it happens at night is.....the house is usually quiet, others are sleeping soundly, there's not much outside noise, the kettle/tv/radio is not on so no distractions like there are during the day.

Once daylight arrives, we are concentrating on other stuff, getting up/dressed etc whats for breaky/lunch etc.

But the long twilight hours are the longest.

I can deff say the repetitive word saying does work! I use it all the time.

Also (not sure if it has been mentioned) but there is usually someone lurking around on Gnet during the long hours. if you need a quiet chat. (don't wake the other Grans up though), no giggling,or wild parties) lol.

If I wake in the night and start worrying and can't get back to sleep, I read my tablet for half an hour and then go back to sleep. Seems to work for me.

I think I once read it's because your blood sugar level drops to its lowest then. Leading to depressing thoughts and feelings.
Could be that - I'm the same.
Maybe have some sweeties by the bed to suck if we wake up?

So many of us..... .

My way of getting back to sleep is by listening to iplayer radio; radio 4 or 4 extra. But it's not ideal when you have to be up for 06.30 to get to work or do childcare.
At weekends, if I'm really desperate to sleep, I take an anti histamine tablet just before bed. Knocks me out for hours!

That makes sense Fennel because if I am hungry during the day it can make me feel 'down'.

I do sympathise with you all. I now do alphabetical lists in my head. Countries, cities, animals, song lists etc.
If my mind starts to wander off, I get back on track and start the list again. I have been surprised at how well this works on most occasions.

One's vitality is low and there are no distractions to divert your attention from reality.

I tell myself the story of a favourite film. The rule is not to leave anything out even the dialogue, and recall as many visual details as possible as if telling the story to someone else.
I seldom think the story beyond the first two scenes.

but sometimes I get to 0 and have to start again!
Grannybags; It's very annoying, but at least you don't get negative! As I've said elsewhere, I'm having lunch at your 3a.m. so feel free to chat!
Equally, our 3a.m is your tea-time, so if I'm still wide awake I could post and ask "what's for tea tonight" Cheers

Rufus I'm in your time zone.

I'm ok until I have to trek to the little room then I imagine every worst case scenario. When I eventually drop off again I get woken at 5 am by a demented maggie knocking furiously on the window, thinking its own reflection is a rival!

get woken at 5 am by a demented maggie knocking furiously on the window, thinking its own reflection is a rival!
Callistemon; That's not a sociable Maggie! At least my feathered friends don't get up until sunrise which is after 5.00am, although I'm usually not up until later (not as late as Burlington Bertie!), so I can't confirm that!
However, they don't get much of a reflection with windows being so dirty at this end of Winter; the tapping is a signal that it's their breakfast time, (after mine!) OoRoo

At least us GN Maggies have more consideration than to be waking people up at the crack of dawn. We’re only very rarely demented or unsociable.

I've always been a poor sleeper, even as a child. I must have had anxieties I never knew I had!
When I was three I had a 'Sooty and Sweep' annual that said in its back cover if you shook the pages over your pillow the oofle dust would make you go to sleep! Worked beautifully until my mother said it was ridiculous and didn't work.

Seriously though I agree with previous posters and feel things feel worse when you reflect on them in the wee small hours.
I have to make myself physically worn out or watch something unimportant on the iPad...that invariably sends me off.