Skip to main content Skip to bottom nav

Why can't I sleep even though I am tired?

13 Answers
Last Updated: 02/07/2017 at 12:43pm
1 Tip to Feel Better
United States
Moderated by

Amanda Wiginton, LMFT

Marriage & Family Therapist

Now is the time to make a change! Professional, empathic, and compassionate therapist waiting to help you make healthy life changes.

Top Rated Answers
CaitsHere
March 4th, 2015 11:12am
Sometimes, even though your body is tired, your mind may be active and alert. There are several ways that you can try and relax before bed time. Some people suggest setting up a routine with a few different relaxation methods if you're really having trouble getting to sleep. For instance, a routine may consist of having a warm bath, then a cup of hot water with lemon and honey, reading for twenty minutes, lights out then sleep. Avoiding caffeine in the afternoons/evenings is also suggested. Treating the bedroom as a sleep only zone, avoiding the use of phones/tablets/tv/laptops while in bed, may help condition yourself to be ready to sleep as soon as you get in bed. Hopefully some of these tips are helpful!
Anonymous
March 4th, 2015 12:12pm
Exhaustion can be either physical or mental ,in case of physical fatigue if you overtire yourself your body is sore and thus it becomes difficult to rest.mental fatigue ,in contrast to popular opinion our mind does not rest when we sleep its active,when our mind is tired but in stress /under duress it becomes very difficult to sleep because our mind is constantly thinking about our problems/troubles.
YourePerfectDarling
April 5th, 2015 9:32am
maybe you have something on your mind my dear? if anything is bothering you, you can always talk to our listeners here :)
mindfulMunchin92
April 11th, 2015 7:47am
Could be a sign of depression, not being able to sleep is a common sign of depression. The signals in your brain get confused, so it can make you sleep too much or sleep too little.
NightCreature96
May 22nd, 2015 1:28pm
It may be because of anxiety or stress. I've had this problem before when I was a high school student. I feel as if everything I do today, can reflect on me again the next day, thus causing me stress and anxiety. It feels really uncomfortable and it takes a toll on your mind. Making you sleep less and taking the pleasure sleeping away from you. One simple tip my mother used to tell me is to make myself a hot lemon tea with ginger. Drink it 1 hour before sleep and it will calm yourself down.
chanelsdaisy
June 22nd, 2015 5:53pm
You think too much, but remember it is all in your head. You are nervous, maybe because of school tomorrow and you aren't allow yourself to just fall asleep.
Rynan
July 28th, 2015 9:03pm
You may be stressed or having thoughts that keep you up. If you are working a job, you may be too wound up. If you are in school, you may be stressing over an assignment due. Laying in bed is when most of our senses are being used, so our brain starts to wonder and think about the events that happened earlier in the day.
smiley15
December 14th, 2015 4:06pm
I have learned that my mind keeps going because of all of those problems I try to ignore during the day. I find that I must at least acknowledge an unpleasant feeling or attempt to address the problem if I am to calm my mind. Otherwise, while I may be able to suppress while those emotions while awake, insomnia or waking up in the middle of the night is our minds way for forcing us to face the problem.
Lionstails
January 12th, 2016 7:41am
You may be overtired. Try progressive relaxation techniques, take a melatonin, and turn off the screens.
EnlightenedLux
February 15th, 2016 4:51am
You may be mentally tired, but physical eager. Basically you have done enough physical activity. Deal with it for tonight, and tomorrow go for a walk or plank a lot, or whatever floats your boat.
Anonymous
March 22nd, 2016 3:48am
There are many reasons why a person may be unable to sleep. Lack of exercise, poor diet, and stress are a few of the reasons as these things can contribute to hormonal imbalance and other problems. Talk with your doctor.
HereToHelpYou742
August 16th, 2016 11:19pm
Maybe its what you do before bed, or anxiety/ depression, or most mental illnesses because they affect you at all times of the day. You could be worrying all night or feeling hopeless all night that mental make your brain go throughout the night
xDesirex
February 7th, 2017 12:43pm
You could have alot on your mind, which can keep your mind wondering at night, this could be the reason you are struggling to sleep, your mind can not settle keeping you awake at night.