Man, I didn't realize how fully nocturnal I've become until thinking about it earlier. I used to have to sleep in perfect dark. I kept my room so dark, that the little lights on electronics that indicate they're charging seemed bright by comparison. But insomnia took effect, and add the years passed, the time I actually fell asleep got later and later. Now, I don't usually fall asleep until the sun is rising. And even then, it's never a good sleep. The pitch black circles around my eyes are a testament to that.
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oldernow:
@wolfwood1203 you might try the somewhat expensive app called "Calm" which has guided sleep relaxations, white noise and other stuff. I teach meditation (and am a counselor) and many people have reported success in getting a bit of freedom from their anxiety listening to this stuff. we have to remember that our unconscious colors with the 8 basic crayons =- i.e. simple, sappy, or dark emotions and while such "guided talks" are basically b.s. if they soothe the beast, then it's worth it. to be clear i am not connected to this app other than at my student's request i've done some of their exercises and guided relaxations and can say they are at the least harmless and as i said, helpful to some. anxiety is one of those beasts that once conquered is easy to kill, but until you find its heart as it were, it is a restless demon always changing shape...
wolfwood1203:
@oldernow The only trouble with guided anything, is that you have to be willing to give yourself over to the speaker, at least to a degree. It's like being hypnotized, it requires a level of surrender. And I'm too cynical and stubborn for that to work. I definitely don't begrudge anyone who can use those kinds of apps or guided meditation, but it's just not for me. I've spent the last few years in self reflection. Whenever I have an anxiety attack, or any depression related issues, I try to stop and look at what I was doing, what could have caused the issue. I've been able to use that to stop attacks, or to keep from snapping at people. It's also helped me understand a lot of what's going on in my head. It's slow going, but it's improving little by little.