Unfortunately, I’ve got no advice but it happens to me all the time because I think I’m going to miss my alarm. I’ll wake up every hour or so, bolting up out of bed to check the clock. So frustrating!

Oh my goodness! what a scary dream, you poor thing 🙁 I’m so sorry you had that dream. If it makes you feel any better, I totally have trouble sleeping the night before something big like that…and I haven’t found any solutions except to simply try and relax…I’m so sorry not to be more helpful! <3
That is amazing for your interview though – how awesome! And even more awesome that the Husband came with you – YAY! 😀 xyx

I had nightmares so bad last night. I woke up crying. I hate when they feel real. If you find a good answer to that restful sleep let me know. I could sure use some ideas!

Oh ya! I have panic disorder and it gets especially bad at night when I’m stressed out. What really helps me are podcasts on iTunes. Relaxation by Inner Health Studio and The Meditation Podcast are my favorite relaxation podcasts. They have some awesome sleep specific ones! Ps. Your shoes are super cute 🙂

As a kid, I never slept before holidays, field trips, or presentations, and it’s followed me into adulthood. I try to make up for it by sleeping well a few nights before something big, but that’s hard to do when you have a lot of prep to accomplish. If I have the time, I try to wind down by drinking some tea and reading a bit, but make sure you actually stop reading and try to sleep. Even if you just rest, that’s better than nothing. I think planning ahead for this is really all you can do.
I’m not sure which is worse, this or my other nervous habit – needing a million bathroom breaks. My bladder gets nervous too. LOL.

I always take some Melatonin (natural vitamin) before I go to bed. It KNOCKS me out! And I don’t have a weird hangover feeling in the morning from other sleep medications.

I take melatonin sometimes for situations like this. Also, when I do wake up freaking out I always make sure I regulate my breathing and pretend as though each and every part of my body weighs 5,000 lbs and is just sinking into the mattress, starting at my toes and working all the way up. It helps me relax muscles I didn’t even know were tense to begin with.

Unfortunately, that’s how I sleep every night – I’m up practically every 60 to 90 minutes. Hoping some of your readers might have some great suggestions on this post…

So far the best thing for me to do to get back to sleep is a simple breathing practice that people refer to as “4-7-8”: breathe in for four, hold for seven, out for eight. Repeat as needed. It works as a meditative exercise and should get your mind off things to fall back asleep. Works great during stressful moments during the day as well.

i used to get this really bad. even for fun events the next day, as someone else mentioned. i don’t know how i managed to change it, but i’ve taken on a more relaxed approach to a lot of stuff. now i just kind of have a “whatever happens, happens” attitude when i’ve got something happening the next day and i have no problem sleeping. i wish i had better advice! maybe try something like EFT? or going over your day bit by bit in your head? i know some people who swear by it as a tool for getting them to sleep. you would do something like “i got out of bed, i went to the washroom, i brushed my teeth,” etc.

I’m the same way the night before a big presentation or event. I haven’t found a fail-proof solution, but a tough workout (strength training more than cardio) helps me get rid of a lot of that anxiety and also physically exhausts me. I also find that writing out why I’m nervous, and something positive to counter each negative thought, can be helpful. And if all else fails, ask your husband for a really awesome back massage. Very relaxing. 🙂

I have no good tips but would say the gingerbread latte was a delicious decision!

I’m a terrible sleeper, and I’ve struggled with insomnia for most of my life. Most of my sleep issues are related to stress/anxiety (conscious or subconscious), so the key for me is to very deliberately relax my mind. I use a lot of the strategies already mentioned: focusing consciously on my breathing, and reminding myself that it’s OKAY to sleep fitfully one night…just resting in bed is nice.

There’s also one other thing I find really helpful, and this is going to sound deeply absurd (and probably TMI), but it’s…making out. Not like, “Let’s do this thing” making out, but very relaxed making out. When I’m in a certain frame of mind, I find something incredibly soothing about kissing. I suspect it’s because it forces me to focus completely on a very sensory experience, and it gets me totally out of my head. (My husband is also a fan, ha!) I expect some people might have trouble separating the sensual experience from the sexual (which would make it REALLY hard for me to sleep!), but as long as we’re both aware of what we’re doing, I basically pass out afterward. 🙂

I am the same. I have found that meditation or breathing calms me down and relaxes my mind, so that I can fall asleep or get rest, feeling refreshed in the morning.

I started having the same issue after I got pregnant. Although it doesn’t sound like yours is related to that, you could always use it as a chance to practice relaxation for labor. Someone suggested that to me and it was a really great exercise. Just start with the top of your head and intentionally relax each muscle moving your way down your body. By the time I get close to the end, I’m usually out like a light.

I’m the exact same way! I’ve heard that meditation helps, but it’s never worked for me. 😛

I’m glad your presentation went well though. I hope you got a chance to nap today!

No fun! I just said a prayer for you!

I get anxiety all the time. I have to wake up all the time for clients or to teach classes and even though I am used to it (I used to wake up at like 4am when I was training too) I still get it! I don’t know why I am always anxious when I am anticipating something in the morning. I hate it so much. Sometimes it helps when I have wine or prosecco the night before, it takes the edge off and helps me not get so nervous about things. It’s worse with new clients or new classes. Maybe it would help to watch a funny show or movie before instead of drinking lol

I’m kind of like you the night before a big event, but instead it just takes me FOREVER to fall asleep (think hours). Once I finally get to sleep, though, I usually stay asleep.

I get so anxious the night before big events!! Even when coming home- I’m way too excited to sleep!

Re: Sleeping Problems!!

Natural Calm http://www.naturalcalm.ca/ – Seriously try this and sleep well! Amazing to calm anxiety. The powdered kind you mix in warm water – ahh works wonders.

Kat

One other thing you could try is a sleep machine – a white noise maker. My sister was having lots of issues sleeping last year in the months before her wedding and we both ended up getting one. It just makes white noise (similar to when your TV is on static but not annoying) and it blocks out random noises and things that you might not realize are waking you up. It really helps! I love mine and sleep with it on every night, which is especially helpful because I now live in a busy downtown on a loud street.
This is the one I have: http://www.amazon.com/dp/B000MPH0PG/ref=asc_df_B000MPH0PG1855498?smid=ATVPDKIKX0DER&tag=hyprod-20&linkCode=asn&creative=395093&creativeASIN=B000MPH0PG