[zzarg]

about a year ago I think it was (when I was a lot more active on my Mac... sorry... I've had to go back to Windows for work at the moment, but my PowerBook still goes everywhere with me) I saw a link to a bit of software that claimed to help you sleep / powernap. But as it was OSX only and I was just un-switching (a painful process let me tell you) I didn't really have a look.

a couple of weeks ago however I'd been having trouble sleeping (just finished a bit project, feeling a little stressed and run down etc) and remembered that I'd seen this apparent miracle cure... so went hunting for it again.

Turns out that pzizz is now available for OSX and WinXP (but still needs QuickTime installed) and, as it was here I first saw the link I thought I'd share my experience (at the risk of sounding like an evangalising salesman... which I'm not - I don't get any kick-back)

I've actually had the first couple of decent nights sleep in longer than I care to remember. At first I used it in demo mode where you can run it on the computer: set it running, set the machine to power down just after the program is scheduled to finish it's run, turn off the monitor, and.... welcome to the land of nod !
Once you're convinced and buy the app you'll be able to export the naps to your iPod (or any other MP3 player) and take them with you.

it's not often that I find a product that actually does what it claims (though of course milage will vary, probably dependant on how open you are to hypnotic techniques) so thanks MacNN for introducing us in the first place

[JoshuaZ]

I just have a nice glass of wine in the evening. Helps me out.

[zzarg]

Hi JoshuaZ - I had started down that path.... first of all it was a glass of wine after dinner, then it became a couple after dinner, then one with dinner as well, then maybe just a brandy before I went to bed.... I realised that [a] it was costing me a lot and [b] it was doing my health no good... and [c] I was starting to feel pretty seedy in the morning as well !

Having watched a good friend go down the path of drinking themselves to sleep, drinking to help them get up and drinking to help the day go past I was rather concious of over-doing it... so finding a non-medication solution reassures me that I'm not going to have one too many and try to drive (I have an asthmatic daughter and we often have 2am runs to emergency to get her breathing properly again... I'd hate to not be able to do it because of one too many units of alcohol that night)

If one glass of wine does the trick.... it's probably a much more pleasant solution to the problem. Cheers !

[Doofy]

Horlicks (if you can get it where you are). Have a cup of that stuff and you'll be away.

[zzarg]

ah the memories - grew up in England and that and Ovaltine where firm favourites. Sadly here in Aus (QLD) the weather isn't exactly conducive to warm milky drinks !
Here the thing is to drink (cold) Milo (pretty much the same thing - malty chocolate) but in cold milk as a morning drink.
Vive la difference as the Canadians would say

[Artful Dodger]

wow pzizz works?!! I may have to try it. Thanks for the link.

I find that a relatively intense work-out (esp. cardio) during the day assures a restful and easy sleep.

[Il Duce]

Good to see another Queenslander on the boards

The best way I've found to get to sleep is to focus on your breathing. Consciously relax every muscle, then breathe slowly and deeply (but not so deeply that you tense up) and empty your head of everything except the number of breaths you've taken.

The other sure fire method is to get the most boring text book you own (pathology and histology do it for me) and start reading. I'm usually out in 5 minutes.

[andreas_g4]

I think I might have to kill myself in the near future. My sleeping habit is driving me nuts. Even when I'm really tired, it takes me at least an hour to fall asleep, sometimes more than two hours. Always, without exceptions. I'll try the programm, thx.

[FulcrumPilot]

Drink anti-caffeinated drinks.

[crazyjohnson]

Some exercise during the day can help. If you dont like that try some yoga/meditation before bedtime. If you think thats crazy look into Benson's "relaxation response" which I guess can be seen as a modern version of meditation. When I get sick of that I usually just turn on some nice music and chill for a while.

[greenamp]

Don't drink any caffeinated beverages after 2pm. You'd be surprised how long caffeine can stay with you.

[Gankdawg]

I'm one of the lucky ones. Fall asleep at the drop of a hat, usually less than 5 minutes to fall asleep when I go to bed. Wife is opposite, she tosses and turns for 1-2 hours every night.

[Cubeoid]

Originally Posted by Gankdawg

I'm one of the lucky ones. Fall asleep at the drop of a hat, usually less than 5 minutes to fall asleep when I go to bed. Wife is opposite, she tosses and turns for 1-2 hours every night.

What sort of hat?