Hi Mel, After my husband passed away, I felt the same. There was this uncomfortable feeling. I invested in a security system. I continue to have it and I'm sure to set it each time I go out. it's made a world of difference and worth the extra expense. I have a T.V in the bedroom. as soon as I enter I turn it on for company till I retire for the night. Most important to me, I take comfort in knowing that i'm being watched over from above. Dolores

I WAS sleeping pretty good, but this last week, have had nightmares and weird dreams. And, worse of all, I can't remember them at all. I have always been able to remember what I dream, until now. I feel like crap the next days, am so tired. I think its depression. I haven't been able to get out and do things as I have a MRI scheduled for Tuesday, dr says I have nerve damage from previous neck surgery and has gone down my neck to my hands. Crap, this stinks....

I have locks on all my doors, security alarms, security lights, my dog, and my son lives with me. Not scared here.... Good luck. Sandee

Sorry you're not feeling well, Sandee. It does sound painful.
Mel, A Big Black dog might help you feel safer. My daughter said at the animal shelter people pass up the black dogs for adopting. She has one and he looks scary. Just a thought. Dolores

I find meditation helps a lot. I have a book called Healing after Loss by Martha Whitmore Hickman, I would read one page every night before bed. I would also watch tv in bed until I'm tired and fall asleep.

Antonella

Antonella, I have the book. It is excellent. It helps. Dolores

I hadn't slept or lived alone my entire adult life. Installed a security system, got a dog, and the most helpful thing was buying a large body pillow to snuggle up with. The body pillow is huge and is made from the minky furry fabric. My husband was 6'7" , a snuggler, and very fuzzy so the body pillow still helps 5+ years later :-)

Been there in the not sleeping department. Eventually I changed the whole house around a little at a time and it became better. I remember pacing, trying to figure out how to finally find some sleep. Sharon

I pace a lot. Got a security system. Some nights are better then others Patti

I'm also at 2.5 years and I still have trouble falling to sleep at night. But for me I can sleep in each day as I'm retired. I watch TV or read till well after midnight each day.
Russ

I was having such difficulty sleeping my doctor sent me to a clinic here to have my sleep evaluated. After a night hooked up with wires and being videotaped and monitored? No sleep apnea, no brain abnormalities and no specific cause. Diagnosis was that it was all stress and grief related.
9 months later and I'm finally feeling a bit better and sleeping a bit better. I still wake in the middle of the night, sometimes unable to fall back asleep. I keep my iPad next to my bed, watch Netflix until I fall asleep again - I find documentary films the most relaxing.

Early on my sleep was pitiful at best. My whole life I never needed a lot of sleep. Six or seven hours was plenty and I never napped during the day. I think I was a farmer in a former life. I could never seem to sleep when it was light outside. I've seen more than my share of sunrises. After 6 or 8 months I began to get my 6-7 hours again . Then, about 6 months ago I got to where I couldn't get to sleep till midnight or so. I'd also wake often in the night. I've averaged about 4 or so hours since this began. My Dr has tried various sleep mess to no avail. Fine with me as I hate taking mess plus some just made me feel out of it all the next day. On the plus side I've been able to nap once a week or so. Also, being up late makes it much easier to keep in touch with a friend of mine that lives 4 time zones west of here!

I love your attitude!!!

I am no sleep expert but here is what works for me. I shower at night instead of morning. Who does not feel relaxed after a nice hot shower? Then I read in bed until I yawn. I have also done meditation and that helps too. I have found that watching tv and being on the computer right before bed keeps me awake. Doing these few things I seldom have a sleepless night.

I had the sleep issue for months after Stevan died then I started getting 6 hrs, I was happy with that as I was a night owl before I lost him but lately the last month or so I have also been waking up several times during the night, like I was startled by something, I actually almost jump up. not sure what this all means after almost 2 yrs??

When I was working every day I showered in the morning to wake me up and a quick shower at home when I returned home because of where I worked. I agree with cleodoggie. My late now shower relaxes me and I am able to sleep most nights. I think the routine helps. Sharon