When I take a nap, I don't do that in bed. I get on the couch, get all comfy with a soft pillow, soft blanket, and put on some boring TV at a low volume. I am usually asleep within 5 minutes.

Maybe try to lie down on your couch. I can't really nap in my bed.

I hope you get some much needed rest soon!

Thanks GirlinCalif,
I have tried the couch also. Although you make it sound very calm and cozy. :)
When I was having major problems from June-September I spent the majority of my time on the couch so it just brings back bad memories.
I am hoping for some much needed rest also!!

I think that the best way to nap is to read. You will dose off and not for long. Also, to get to sleep is to read. Never watch TV at night trying to sleep.

So sorry for your problems, mattie during June to September, as I can see how you would not be on the couch. Maybe a comfy chair would work better.

I hope you can find the answer.

Sorry I keep writing but I had to ask. Why do you want to make yourself nap if you don't feel like it? That is not a nap. A nap comes naturally unless you were told to take one.
Hugs.

carlyj1202,
I can only sleep a few hours at night so I’m tired during the day and would LOVE to be able to nap. Just can’t.
Keep writing. I need all the help and suggestions I can get.

I can’t remember the last time i had a nap. I wish i could.
I don’t sleep at night without medication.
Talk therapy one on one and cognitive behavioural therapy are a couple of things I’m working on. Paxil and epival help some.

Can you think of any foods or drinks that you have during the day, that could keep you awake later? Such as caffeine, chocolate, spicy foods, sodas with caffeine, etc?

Also, I find taking a long hot shower, or a hot bath, at night, makes me sleepy.

For me insomnia has a lot to do with an empty house. Lots of stuff on YouTube helps me. Sometimes rain or fan noise, or a sleep hypnosis one. Even adult bed time stories. I won’t mention the couple of glasses of red wine which to me are safer than pharmaceuticals. Good luck, I really hope you get a good 8 hours tonight and every night

If i could nap would be great I'm so tired and have been for over a year ( fatigue,) I've been to my doctor but done nothing at all so I talked a new consultant who as arranged a sleep to test I've got that today fingers crossed.
Good luck hope you can get sorted soon. Fingers crossed.

I rarely nap. But I think just laying down and trying to relax a bit can be helpful; that way you aren’t putting pressure on you to fall asleep.

I am not a great sleeper myself at all. I have bouts of insomnia, wake up in the middle of the night and can’t fall back to sleep, etc. I need the temperature right in the room, need my bedding to be a certain way, my pillow a certain way etc. I’m a little ocd about the whole thing. What helps me is using an app on my phone to play white noise or different calming sounds, like whatever is relaxing to you. Then I just try to do a body scan meditation (google it). That helps me slow down my thoughts and relax my body. Eventually I will fall asleep. Sometimes if my anxiety is through the roof, I write it out before I try to go to sleep. That might help. Also I try to do any exercise early in the day rather than at night. If I do it at night I’m kind of too wound up to sleep. Oh... for me wine and drinking before bed actually keeps me up so I try not to drink before going to bed either.

Good luck!

I have found that I am able to rest more comfortably in a chair when I am able to lean back and my neck is relaxed.

Napping outside in a chair has been good, too.

Try resting while sitting up.

Resting the eyes, closing them, and just sitting.

This will help you see what is relaxing and what is still tense. Sitting down gives you a different balance than laying down.

It seems there are other things you need to do to sleep well. It seems your anxiety causes nightmares that cause you to wake up. This is the only explanation i can think of, for you waking up suddenly. It could be brain patterns the brain needs to be relaxed and create mental routines. I mean sleep at a certain time every night and try body relaxation techniques.

Ive never been able to nap! Once in a blue moon will I lie down for a nap and actually fall asleep. Ive read that some people’s bodies and circadian rhythms are so aware of the time of day, it keeps them from falling asleep? Like someone else said on here, just lying down and resting can be very helpful for the body and eyes. Also like someone else said, dont do it in your bed!!! Choose another place like the couch or a guest room. Good luck, I know how rough insomnia can be.

Thanks for all your responses. It helps to know there is so much support here.
Just thought I would update. I haven’t napped yet but my sleep has gotten better. I started CBD and am doing a small dose of melatonin. At least now I fall asleep and don’t wake up till around 4:30 and then can get “some” sleep till 7. I am very thankful for this small step.