[SallyintNorth]

every day i sleep just five hours, is it good??? 

It is good if it is enough for you!  Maggie Thatcher reputedly only needed 4, it's got to be 7 for me.  I can function ok on 5 occasionally but my routine requirement is 7.

[Simon O]

Check this out - this is the best info that I know of on the internet- the site in general and for treatment this page in particular: http://elearning.restproject.org.uk/#/sleep-management-tools-techniques/psychological-treatments-for-insomnia. Colleagues report good results using sleep restriction techniques ie you initially reduce time in bed - but you must adhere to this rigorously - see details on the website. I would avoid tablets if possible. As noted earlier you would want to be sure there is no physical cause for the insomnia - that would be unusual as a sole symptom.
Simon

[smallholder in the city]

If you keep odd hours / often get up before dawn then a wake up light can be helpful. Not only do they wake you up naturally but they also have a sunset setting that is really good at getting you off to sleep. I got one when I was a junior Dr doing silly amounts of on calls and night shifts and it really helped. They're not cheap though here's the link

http://www.lumie.com/shop/categories/dawn-simulators

[NormandyMary]

I do sympathise. The more you worry about not sleeping, the worse it is, as I well know from experience. Camomile tea is wonderful, although have you tried any other herbal remedies? I dream constantly when asleep, sometimes my dreams are so busy I wake up absolutely shattered!
I really hope you managed to get a good night very soon.

Mary.

[Sudanpan]

If I'm having trouble with a busy mind then a relaxation technique I find quite helpful is the following:
Get comfortable in bed, in whatever position you find most relaxing.
Focus in on the rhythm of your breathing - actively monitor your breath in, then out. As you breathe in, recite it in your mind, ditto as you breathe out.
Continue, just focussing on the breathing pattern - and don't let yourself get sidetracked by other thoughts that pop into your mind - push them to one side and re-focus on the breathing and reciting.

That's it!

This does take practice - and perserverence. It works on the basis that its always alot easier to do something than not do something - therefore you give your mind something active to do - but the rhythm is monotonous and therefore should be soporific, after a time. Because you are occupying your mind with something (reciting the breathing pattern) you can banish other distractions more easily and therefore let your brain eventually switch off.

Good luck 

[Fi]

Sabrina,you mentioned all the tablets you have to take, which suggests to me you have an underlying condition that could be causing the problems. I totally identify with you and would definately encourage you to try all the suggestions from everyone. I tried them all. The best for me is to sleep in a nice quiet room with a good temperature, ie no snoring. Try to deal with anything that worries you during the day and keep a notebook by your bed to jot things down. Some thoughts come into your mind you can say I've noted that and will deal with it in the morning.
The nightmares could be a side affect of tablets, I've had this and once off the culprits they disappeared.
My condition does make me very tired and unfortunately i know I over do it at times and then find it hard to get off to sleep. I can feel so tired it almost panics me.
I do hope you can sort things out soon.
Let us know what you try and what works for you, and I would go see your GP too.
Sleep Tight
Fi

[Rosemary]

Not having enough sleep is awful - I suppose that's why sleep deprivation is used as torture. I read somewhere that lack of sleep also makes you want to eat junk food, which can obviously affect your health.

Hope you find something that works.

[loosey]

I sometimes have to force my mind to stop thinking at bedtime ... I'm usually a good sleeper but every now and then, something starts whirring and I can't stop it. I'm not one for gadgets but found a puzzle game on my mobile phone and it works perfectly for making me think of something else. I too suffer with reoccuring nightmares (usually if I've seen something scary or sad on tv) but I end up drifting off thinking of coloured shapes which is much better!

[Fi]

Gosh all you folks that need such little sleep! That would be a dream come true for me. I need at least 10 and even then if I've been active might need to nap during the day just to get through it. It is very debilitating as I loose so much valuable time to do stuff. I wish I could find a remedy for that!
Sabrina, how's it going?