Sleeping Disorder

I've had Insomnia since childhood before playing chess as a regular hobby. There are nights I can't force sleep. Some nights I woke up between midnight and 4 am and can't return to sleep.

How is your sleep BBW?

I mean, there's the normal stuff. Try to go to bed at the same time every night. Try to make it a dark and quiet place. Have a pre-bed routine. Avoid caffeine within 6 hours of sleep (half life of caffeine in adult body is about 6 hours). Avoid eating a meal in about the same amount of time. Avoid bright lights near bedtime (like screens). Eat a large breakfast.

If you can't fall asleep don't try to force it. Have something by your bed you can do with a low light turned on. Some people like a book or crossword. Maybe you'd like chess puzzles. Nothing exciting though, just something to do while reclining in bed. Don't use a screen like a tablet or phone.

Meletonin is an OTC drug you can take that helps a little.

But I mean... if you have insomnia not only have you probably heard this stuff but it's probably not so effective for you.

Sleep aids have temporary effects only. Even an expensive massage works twice only. Sleeping less isn't a curse. I studied more than 95% of the population.

@socks Nobody sleeps better than you. How do you sleep that long?

I tried listening to meditative music, nature music, audio books, old songs. It works a few times. Now I play those folders randomly. I'm not nocturnal. Watching scary movies isn't a factor. Of course, if depression sets, I sleep 12 hours and could be more.

Do you think many GMs suffer from sleep disorders? Especially during tournaments and championship match. Probably take sleep aids to have a good night rest for tomorrow's next game.

Hmm, maybe.

If I were e.g. Carlsen in 2013 I'd get into contact with a sports psychologist and get advice.

Certainly it's nice to sleep, but if the sleep aid makes you groggy that's no way to play a championship game

Sleep, Sex , Calm mind etc can only be achieved only when you are physically and mentally well with enjoyable life. More than a dozen of factors can affect your sleep

1. thyroid disorder, sleep apnoea need to be ruled out

2. anxiety , depression could also be a possibility

3. bad lifestyle such as too much screen time, drinking a lot of coffee should be addressed

4. Change in sleep rhythm due to shift work also should be considered.

There are a lot of relaxing techniques but if those doesn't work, you will need medications,

1.Yoga/meditation

2. Breathing technique, (breath with nose and blow out from mouth)

3.For myself, I personally find exercise as the best technique for sleep. If you do running or cycling for 30 min-1 hour, you are very likely to sleep well .

4. And sometimes, I play bullet for 1 hour and I am tired with headache , and can sleep well too, lol(I dont recommend that bad habit).

Commonly used medications are,

1.Melatonin (only OTC, others you need script or buy online from black market with your own risk)

2. Temazepam

3. Zolpidem

4. Amitriptylline

5. Quetiapine

Good luck.

If I'm Carlsen or Caruana, I would hire a professional masseur in my team. A great massage gets a great sleep. The rest of the team gets good rest too.

4 Common Sleep Disorders 1. Insomnia 2. Sleep apnea 3. Restless legs syndrome 4. Narcolepsy Which is your problem?

https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/articles/11429-common-sleep-disorders

Some say the key is to try and stay awake, not that it always works mind you .  The only thing that sometimes seem to help is to count my breath's until I fall asleep.  If I move or loose count I start over so it's like I'm challenging myself to see how far I can get before falling asleep.  Other times I have no choice but to wait for my brain to exhaust itself.  Sleep aids for some reason just doesn't work all that well on me.  Aside from general insomnia ( over active mind etc ) other factors makes it maddening to try and maintain a proper sleep cycle.  If it's not one thing it's another so I have resigned myself to being awake at odd hours.

Edit: The good doctor left out pain/chronic pain

If you have 3000 dollars to spare, I recommend buying this. 

Trivial things? Like overpaying for a dozen eggs by a few cents. Misers are always stressful.