Moms Do Your Nerves Get to You?

Yes.

I hyperfocus on things, and I also get panic attacks. Two wildly different things, both of which cause insomnia, and then even when everything is FINE I'm ADHD-c... So my mind will start rolodexing/running a mile a minute/flitting from thing to thing to thing.

For the hyperfocus: I have to distract myself with something else.

For the panic attacks I have to calm down (easier said than done!)

For the rolodexing, I have to concentrate (without tripping into hyperfocus!)

They say that if you write everything down before you go to bed, it will take it off your mind. Get a journal or notebook and write everything down in detail that you have going on the next day. This will help get it off your mind.

I really do think its a female thing. When I am going through periods where I can't get my mind to shut off, I try visualizing letting everything go - literally everything going out the top of my head and into the universe. Then I ask God to grant me peace. It helps me anyway...

Good luck!

I'm alright most of the time, but right now I'm a sleep-deprived wreck. I teach high school (AP Language and Advanced Reading), and I am extremely organized. I go back to school in two weeks, and the kids return in three weeks. I already have many of my lesson plans done, and I've got plans to set my room up next Monday, as soon as I can get my keys. However, I still can't sleep. Too many school-related things are running through my head. I need an on/off switch . . .

Yes.

I don't think I have gotten a full nights sleep in years. In 2007 before I got pregnant with my daughter my doctor put me on Ambien (or one of those). The nights I took it I slept. But since then nope... first due to BF'ing then because I wanted to be able hear my daughter when she woke. Of course she is older now, but I am pregnant again, so no drugs for me :(

I get the part about forgetting how to relax too... if I ever have time for me, I look around and see everything I still need to do and I start doing...

Ok so I am whining a bit... I am too tired not to...

Hope you get a chance to relax!

Unfortunately, I am absolutely this way! One way that you should try to unwind is to read a chapter or two of a really good book before bed. Fitting exercise into your schedule can really help as well. But I still cannot get my mind to shut down sometimes. I have heard a lot of people say that guided imagery relaxation helps...there are apps for it, some free & some not if you want to try it out before bed. Good luck!

Talk to your ob about this, Mom. You need to be proactive in finding out ways to help yourself get over it.

This can happen in menopause too. I don't have trouble with the nervous part, but the sleeping part, oh my. If I wake up in the middle of the night, sometimes I just cannot go back to sleep, especially if my mind won't quit "thinking". I work hard to manage my sleep now.

I know you've got a new baby, but don't let this go on too long. You'll take years off your life if you don't get proper rest.

Wishing you some pleasant DREAMS!

Dawn

Girl, you sound T.I.R.E.D.!

Yes, this happens to me all the time and I end up pulling all nighters. Since college I've always thought to myself "I'd rather work and get it done than lay in bed because I know I'm not going to sleep anyway". Now for work, whenever a new story hits and I have tons of research to do, I don't sleep because I just want to get it all done at once. And let me tell you, I am getting too old to pull all nighters, but I do it nonetheless. I know its pretty obessive..oh, well, it pays the bills, right?

I'm the same way when I start a new book that's new.

You have a newborn. I think its ok to have anxiety and be nervous. Part of the problem is that you know you completely responsible for this new human being and you just want to make sure you cover all your bases. Enjoy your "back cracking" time and I hope you a good night's sleep very soon.

Yes, I have a 3 month old, I'm getting over pneumonia, we can't pay our bills this month due to medical bills and our landlord needs to move back into her house so she's kicking us out and we are moving this weekend... which is more expensive to rent a moving van/utility turn on fees/ security deposits... so yes, super stressed right now.

Writing your stresses down in a little 'brain dump' journal beside your bed is supposed to help.

Also, taking some melatonin is safe and natural and will help with getting rest and calming down... I should go take some right now.

I used to be that way until I got my thyroid back in line. Get some exercise, get off caffeine, eat lots of color and get some extra B vitamin. That will help. I was fortunate that I was using a natural family planning method that charted bodily responses to hormones. My doctor took one look at my charts and noticed that I had a couple hormonal issues. I was able to supplement the hormones I was short on and I was back to sleep.

I like chamomille tea. There is a vanilla flavored one and I add raw honey. I like to use it during PMS time too. Nursing is good for your nerves too. Nurse as often as possible.
Lastly..

"Do not anticipate trouble, or worry about what may never happen. Keep in the sunlight." Benjamin Franklin