Insomnia? I'm at my most energetic around 2am...

[Petrichor]

Nice to know someone out there is doing important, relevant research

Yes, I was wondering how exactly they established that little fact.

It makes sense, though. I mean, what else are you going to do at that time of night?

[CobbTaiwan]

I suuffered terribly from insomnia the first few years in Taiwan. After doing some research and trying new things I found some causes of my lack of sleep and some remedies.
I would stay up until 4-5am as I had energy (even when I started a 'normal' job ending at 5pm). This became a habit caused by a few factors. One of the most obvious ones was the internet. Another was the fact that I finished work between 8pm and 9pm at night and went to bed 7 hours afetr work as I would back home. Too much energy was another. The bright lights had an effect I didn't even know about until I read about it while researching.

To change these habits took me a few years and I am now more or less on a suitable sleep schedule. This is what I did. it might not work for eveyone but i found once I did all the steps it definitely helped.
1. I try most nights (unless work does not allow it) to be off my computer by 10:30pm-11pm. It helps your brain slow down due to less stimulation.
2. I try to eat my dinner before 7pm every night so that by 11pm my whole metabolism can slow right down.
3. I took almost all sugary drinks out of my diet. I have ADHD which makes sugars hard enough to cope with. I especially notice the difference of not drinking any sodas, perhaps one or 2 on a weekend.
4. Finding a job that started and ended earlier gave me time in the evenings to do the things I did until 4am at a more reasonable hour.
5. Diet: I started eating more vegetables. Cereals for breakfast, lunch consisted of about 90-95% veg and 5-10% meats from Mon-Fri only. Dinners are light snacks. My light meals in the evening allows my body to start slowing down earlier.
6. I have loads of energy even though I may be mentally exhausted. I took up running, cycling and swimming. About 3 times a week a did vigorous exercise for an hour. I found the days I exercised I slept like a baby and the rest days in between I was recovering so slept anyway.
7. NO caffeine after lunch. I have my coffees in the morning and that is it. you don't notice it immediately but after a while you will realise what afternoon coffe can do.
8. Taiwanese homes traditionally have flourescent lightening. Like hospital lighting and casino lighting it is bright. bright light stimulates to keep you awake. I replaced all flourscent lighting in the rooms I spend the most time with lamps or cheap dimmer lighting. It has made the world of difference being cozy as apposed to being lit by floodlights.

These are just some of the things I did. Hope they help.

[Madgix]

Alternatively, if you are in Taipei, you can come and visit Dreamwater and see if floatation therapy can help alleviate your sleeping problem?

Several of our clients have reported in sleeping better after a few floats, and I'll be glad to work an offer out with you if you give us a call.

Formosa has also did an article on us: viewtopic.php?f=54&t=98853

Do also check out our website at http://www.dreamwater.asia for more details.

If you need further enquiries, do not hesistate to call me, Damien, at 02 8502 6900 for more details.

You got nothing to lose for possibly better sleep.

Cheers

[PapaAzucar]

Melatonin (hormone of the pineal gland) works pretty well for helping me regulate my sleeping patterns, but be aware that different brands may have different levels of efficacy. Most are synthetic melatonin, but there are also brands extracted from animal pineal glands(usually pigs, I think). So, do a little research and try a few different brands before you decide whether it's for you, or not. (FYI, I've read of concerns about the safety of animal-extracted melatonin (e.g. prion disease), but I'm not sure whether they're founded or not.)!

Does anyone know where to get melatonin in Taipei?
Thanks.

[Icon]

PapaAzucar, if you are suffering from allergies, you most probably are not sleeping well, either, as your respiration is labored/interrupted. That could aggravate your jet lag/adaptation to Taiwan schedule.

On a personal note, I am joining the ranks of the sleepless. Normally, I was flat out before 11pm, couldn't even finish watching CSI. Not anymore. It is 12, 1am, 2am... and Icon's eyes are wide open. I blame my heart medication, but I take the evening dose like at 7, 8 the latest. Not a happy camper.

[NonTocareLeTete]

Wow, forgot about this thread, and there are some great suggestions (special thanks to cobbintaiwan.)
I tried for a schedule change and was told that I had to teach two night classes a week. So far, still dancin into the wee hours...
Any answer on that melatonin in Taipei question?

[Icon]

I'd suggest a joint order from Puritan's Pride.
http://www.puritan.com/melatonin-542

Looked for the name in Chinese, all references go to on line buying.

褪黑激素哪裡買
http://tw.knowledge.yahoo.com/question/ ... 7120101587

[PapaAzucar]

PapaAzucar, if you are suffering from allergies, you most probably are not sleeping well, either, as your respiration is labored/interrupted. That could aggravate your jet lag/adaptation to Taiwan schedule.

I do have some labored breathing which I use Breathe Right nose strips, which helps some. But I have also stepped up the usage of Melatonin to like 2 or sometimes 3 pills of 3mg. I've taken Melatonin for over 10-years and the only side effect that my body has noticed is the increased tolerance level, thus, the extra dosages. At this rate, I will deplete my private stash that I brought from the US fairly quickly. So I might have to order more soon. But Puritan's Pride only lists Australia, Austria, Switzerland and UK for international. Do they deliver to Taiwan as well?

BTW, I did see some Breathe Right small size at a pharmacy near Xinyi, but I've yet to find the Breathe Right large size since I have a honker for a nose. Has anyone seen Breathe Right large size anywhere?

[Icon]

Yep, Puritan Pride delivers to Taiwan, no problem.

[Steviebike]

Yep, Puritan Pride delivers to Taiwan, no problem.

Just ordered a rather large supply of melatonin. I tried it earlier this year and found it helpful. I have had sleep problems for years, so the little things help.

Will let you know how long they take to arrive etc..