first one!
i love your blog

Wil,
Sounds like time for a vacation. Not one of those vacations where you run around doing stuff, but one of those vacations where you do nothing, talk to few people, and disconnect from electronic devices altogether.
Caribbean, maybe?

From one stranger to another, I would just like to say that I've dealt with similar sleeping problems in the past (in regards to the neck and back pain). The thing that solved those issues was getting a new mattress :) So, there's always that idea... depending on how old your mattress is, and how.. *ahem* used... it is :)

I've also taken to making a list each night before bed of the Six Most Important Things I need to accomplish the next day. That's helped a lot with the racing thoughts and such. Just knowing that I have it written down somewhere so I won't forget :)

So yeah, there's my two cents :) Just a couple thoughts for you to use or dismiss as you see fit :)

if you can scrounge up the money, may i suggest sanibel island off ft. meyers, fl?
not too many people there in the winter, absolutely beautiful, and not a thing to do that you don't want to.
now that i think about it, i may just meet you there.

Wil,

I've been there. Exercise does help, but you might find that you _still_ wake up! I've been completely exhausted, wake up and then be unable to get back to sleep because I'm worried about not sleeping!

Here are a couple of things that I've learned from my personal experience:

Nothing other than sleeping (and related things) in bed. No reading, no bills/contracts, definitely don't watch TV - no gameboy either. If you've got a TV in the bedroom, shame on you! This will help your body understand that bed is for sleeping.

If you find yourself running over things in your head, get up and write them down. I find that I start going in circles because I'm afraid that I'll forget the list of things I have to do! Writing them down removes that worry, allowing me to relax.

Cut down on the caffeine/chocolate/sugar before bed. Nuff said. :) This includes other things that might not be so obvious, like 24 hour antihistamines, and sudafed take them in the morning... Sudafed keeps me up all night.

Regular bed time. This can be seriously messed with when travelling. Jet lag's a complete PITA. My favourite way? I force myself to get up in the morning, and make sure I get a lot of sunshine - especially in the morning. Then, I go to bed at the regular time. This lets your body know that the schedule still applies, it's just out by a couple of hours. Again, avoid the TV in the hotel room like the plague. You don't have one in your bedroom at home, and it is insanely tempting to sit there and watch HBO until 2AM...

Humans are creatures of habit. The trick is to get your body into one so that it understands what it needs to do. :)

Hope this helps,
Jason

Wil...I can so relate...Now I am nowhere near your "famousness" but the feelings remain the same. I am so prowd that you can share this over the net with so many "strangers." I am finding that writers all share the same common feelings. I too have not been writing as I need lately and my brain feels like mush until time for bed when thoughts are flying by so fast that you cannot even begin to discern them. Needless to say...it eventually passes...from me to you...hang in there...it will get better! I await patiently for your next post...

Do what you need to do to get feeling better...

Love reading your blog. If you ever stop in Phoenix for any events, I'll be sure to do my best to attend.

Wil, get a sleep study done and find out if you have sleep apnea. Your symptoms are classic. The weight gain correlates. Ask your wife if you're 'snorting' or 'gasping' routinely while you're sleeping. It's incredibly hard on you and, yes, you're NOT sleeping - just >almost

Ray Bradbury writes (in "Zen and the Art of Writing":

"I have learned, on my journeys, that if I let a day go by without writing, I grow uneasy. Two days and I am in tremor. Three and I suspect lunacy. Four and I might as well be a hog, suffering the flux in a wallow. An hour's writing is a tonic. I'm on my feet, running in circles and yelling for a clean pair of spats."

So you're in good company.

Have you tried "The Artist's Way" by Julia Cameron? I think you'd like it.

Man, for the past month I've been waking up every morning feeling like I've been punched repeadedly about the head a face while I've slept. I've got bit bags under my eyes and everything. And it seems that no matter what I simply cannot get out of bed before 8:00 in the morning. Even if I set the alarm for like 6:00, I'll just lie there unable to arise before the 8:00 mark.

For me I'm 99% certain that it's a definite lack of exercise mixed in with a healthy dose of being unable to properly digest healthy foods.

Please Sir, do read your email soon. The money my late uncle (the minister of finance for Nigeria) left in his account may be found by the government any time now. Please act quickly on my business offer so that we both might profit.

Well I'm glad that your blog gives you some therapeutic value. I guess blogging is more than just a powerful tool to get a message out into the world... It also slices, dices, and makes curly fries in a matter of seconds for our family to enjoy. Order yours today!

At least your blog gives me the chance to escape my desk and put myself into a frame of mind that doesnt stress out over the piles of drawings.

Your blog is not only therapeutic to you Wil... To many of us, it's just as relaxing to read your stories.

Good luck with the housekeeping, and if you can, could you explain this housekeeping? My thoughts are as messy as my desk is at the moment! :)

-Evin

Hey Wil,
I don't think you're sleeping because of what you said.....unresolved issues...set a goal for yourself and just do it! I get tired body and restless mind all the time and that's when I keep a private blog and write in there for myself only! Feels good to get it off my chest. Get a physical too and make sure that's the only problem!
Good luck!
Xoxoxoxoox

I know this sounds weird, but I recently read something about "Mental RAM" in a book by David Allen called "Getting Things Done". (I'm not affiliated with them in any way, it just did me some good). It talked about how when you have a "loose end" it takes up mental RAM until it's done or in a _RELIABLE_ storage and reminder facility (PDA, OUTLOOK, or otherwise...even paper). I know in my life, I would lay in bed with stuff just _swimming_ around in my head. I finally was able to write it all down and get it all managed. It might seem to be a senseless plug for this guy, but it worked for me (and I'm sure I'm a lot less busy than you).

Hope this helps!

Trace

I'll second the sleep study suggestion. Further, do you have allergies? My Sleep apnea is exacerbated when I don't manage my allergies.

I'll add that you may see if your BED is causing some of the problems. I won't bore you with the details but the change from my crappy college futon to a pillowtop mattress was a religous experience.

Also, I've been known to take an Excedrin PM or two to force my mind to settle down for the night. Tylenol PM and Sominex just flat knock me out the next day, but Excedrin doesn't.

Make lists so you can get those things that are nagging you out of your brain and onto paper.

Try Calms Forte, homeopathic remedy. I found it at Whole Foods. Took it when we suddenly got a newborn to adopt and I was filled with anxiety and couldn't sleep. It helped a lot, and no druggy drowsiness to keep me from responding to the crying baby in the middle of the night, no side effects. Just quieted my mind and let me get rest.

Hey Wil, here is another recommendation for you - try resetting your sleep clock by forcing yourself to get up earlier and earlier. Set your alarm for 6am and then force yourself to get up and get things done. The next night set your alarm for 5am and do the same thing, up and at 'em.

Also, get out there and run for a half-hour every day. You absolutely can afford to squeeze a half-hour out of your daily get-it-done time budget.

Good luck with it man... sleep is not something to take for granted.

It isn't therapudic!

(just kidding.)

Looks like a lot of us have creative/sleep troubles. My husband's going to chain me to the bed (and not in a kinky way) if i don't stop tossing and turning, but my back has been giving such grief. I usually end up "sleeping in" a few hours extra because I spent like six tossing, and I only sleep when I'm exhausted.

I liked "The Artists Way" but had to return it to the library before I was done with it. I may try it again. Or actually *gasp* buy it.

The spiritual/mental housekeeping sounds like sound advice from the missus. A day of censory deprivation helps with that. Its hard to arrange a day where you have *NOTHING* to do but be alone with yourself, but it helps so much. I like to spend part of the day at church with my notebook. It's quiet, it's dark, and there's no one to talk to but God. I also like to spend part of the day some place with no wifi access like a library or coffee shop. You'd be surprised how anxious you are to start writing something, ANYTHING when you've spent the last four hours in the dark, huffing gutted candles and not "doing" anything (read--avoiding dealing with yourself/your writing).

Good luck, get exercizing (walking aint running, but it's moving :) ), tell Guinness you'll always be good friends, but he can't sleep on your couch any more, and start writing.

Probably sounds silly, but I have found that having a coffee or tea too late is bad. Makes it very difficult for the mind to slow down, even if the body is exhausted.

You have the right idea Wil. It's almost always stress, or worry that keeps us from getting a good nights sleep. Here's hoping you get everything worked out. No worries!

In addition to sleep apnea, your symptoms sound an awful lot like restless legs syndrome, which is greatly helped by frequent exercise.

Sounds like Restless Leg Syndrome: http://www.rls.org

I had similar symptoms myself a few years ago. Jason Pollock's advice is some I've seen before and does help - I think it helped that I moved to share an apartment with some friends, and that meant the TV was no longer in my room. At the worst times, I found myself taking a cold shower to "calm down" my legs.

One other thing - not to worry people unduly... but - I was later diagnosed with type 2 diabetes, and RLS is supposedly a symptom. YMMV.

Wil,

I'm not a doctor, but I've seen somebody play one on TV ...

It could be depression - sleeplessness, anger, and weight gain are all symptoms. If you're going to start asking someone qualified about sleep apnea, you might as well ask about depression as well.

I had the same problem. Then I found a place to live. Then I bought a bed. It was tough leaving all the memorable moments from sleeping on the floor of a parking garage for so long but now that I have a place to live and a bed, life is oh so swell.

Might consider trying a non-toxic product called Melatonin. I used to have the same problem, my mind was racing and even though I was sleeping longer and longer - just couldnt get to that deep REM sleep. Was desparate when I tried it. Learned that it is one of the few products that they couldnt find the 50 % toxicity rate. (How they determin the toxic rates on pills by feeding thing to animals until they die, then cut the recommended dose to 50 %.

As we grow older, our ability to produce natural melatonin diminishes. Once I started taking it, I found that I would get 4 hours of really deep sleep, after which I always wake up ... and can either go back to sleep or get up without any hangover. If I go back to sleep, those voices with their infernal to do lists stay silent!

I'd second Trace's comment - sounds like David Allen's GTD might just help - getting all the things you're worrying about our of your head and into a trusted system. I wrote an introduction article to GTD a while ago in my blog...

http://pigpog.com/michael/blog/2004/07/productivity-gtd-getting-things-done.php

Exercise, my man, exercise.

About the lack of inspiration: I'm sure you have some Christmas memories or recent events that you could put into writing.

Perhaps you could get a medical evaluation to rule out a physical root to your situation: sleep apnea, circulatory problem in the legs. Hope Mr Sandman comes to visit you soon.

All I can really say is I know how it feels, what ever the cuase is. But it sounds to me like what I call, "Writer's Flood". I've had it a couple times, and what it is, is the burning desire to write something. Only it's so intense, that it MUST be done NOW. You may try it, ya go do worse.

Also there may be some emotional reasons why your mind won't shut up. I know mine wouldn't when I lost my grandfather. And when I got elected to ASB. It dosen't have to be a bad emotional thing to make your mind race.

And if you are sick, belive it or not, that alone may do it. Sickness can do many things to you, including prevent sleep.

So, there are 3 things that could be the problem.

1:Writer's Flood
2:Emotional things (From realy good to really bad)
3:An odd side effect to being sick.

Yeah dude you really got to start running and lose the extra weight. When you feel stuffed or not used to the extra fatness in the ass or gut it's like your asking for insomnia.

I knew I saw Wil in line at Disney Land on Friday, but my girlfriend didn't believe me. The picture in the photoblog from the 10th proves it. Oh, and the Nightmare Before Christmas thing rocked.

Nyquil, half a dose. Its the only thing that's getting me through my Masters.

My psyche is very attuned to the weather and I ususally get insomnia every winter (enduring it right now as a matter of fact). I know that you don't get much winter over there but your symptoms certainly sound like a slight winter depression (like someone suggested earlier).

Maybe until all your mail and writing is done, some pot might help you sleep. Or, if not for handy, a little night-cap. (Just one is enough.)

Lavender-oil or rose-oil on your pillow will calm you down too. Lavender-oil helps too with headaches; just put a bit on your temples.

And hot chocolate-milk before bedtime is great too.

I hope you'll sleep well, tonight.

XD LJ.

I'm withyou on the sleep thing, for me though I've got the restlesness till midnight to 2am then 4:30 I'm awake and the mind starts churning. Writing has helped me, mostly stuff I wouldn't blog though. Talking also helps even at $/hour. Helped me get some perspective. So has time with my kids.

Been there. It sucks.

By the way, your 6'4" look-alike is working at Hastings here in the Land Of No Opportunity (some might call it pittsburg, ks).

YES YOU NEED TO GET UP OFF YOUR BUTT AND JOG LIKE YOU USE TO AND TAKE UP A HOBBI LIKE KNITTING ITS VERY RELAXING AND YOU'LL HAVE A MASTER PEICE AT THE END. kEEP WELL.

way to fall asleep by ANC:

You can be rocked to sleep, but it only works with a real rock.

I have three words for you - two double vodkas!

giant paper bag over the head. mmm, carbon dioxide.

find an advanced linux system administration book and start reading.

have sex. (don't men always fall asleep right after?)

red wine and turkey, lots of it, NOW. you'll be trippin to phan boy

when everyone else goes to work and school, go to bed, you'll sleep great. when they come home, pretend you were working on your novel all day (except you really do work on novels, maybe this one won't work for you.)

yawn. ( did that make you tired? huh? did it!?)

yawn, it made me tired, nevermind the rest, I'm going to bed ....

Here's a weird one, but it works...

To clear a cluttered mind, think of a colour. Think of one thing that is that colour. Focus on creating a mental image of that object in your mind in perfect 3D and hold the image for approximately 1 minute. Concentrate real hard, try not to let the image float away. Once you have had a solid minute think of a new object of the same colour. After you have done three, move to a new colour. I never get to the third colour, I'm always asleep. I teach this to high school students in family living, and so far it has worked for everyone.

ps. stoolpigeon, you just cracked me up big time

Wil,

I am sure Captain Picard would recommend "tea, earl gray, hot." And in one episode Commander Riker could not sleep because he could not DREAM.
So, pleasant DREAMS and sleep well.

Freeman

I agree with Trace, check out the book Getting Things Done by David Allen. It deals head-on with the feeelings you described. It becomes a matter of letting your brain know it's ok not to think about something, that the object of attention is properly filed in a trusted system.

Hey will, maybe you should take ambien.

Lost at sea? Be glad you aren't this guy.

80 years old and still spearfishing/diving...tough fella.

too sick or tired to run? I've stopped running and started walking. then I treat myself with a glass of good red wine or brandy .. now what was bothering me .. sorry I can't remember.

Meditating might help you focus on getting stuff done. Yoga might help you sleep better at night.

But whoever's suggestion you choose, I'm sure you'll get over the insomnia. *Waves pom poms* =D

I saw a story on science show about a cure for insomnia.

http://www.abc.net.au/catalyst/stories/s849417.htm

As I recall, they kept you awake for 24 hours so you were really sleepy. Then you were allowed to lie down in the bed in their lab. Whenever you fell asleep, they'd zap you awake with a mild electric shock. That way you got lots of practice at falling asleep.

On re-reading the web page, I can't see anything about electric shocks. Seems much less interesting.

Do not take Sudafed for a cold. Mucinex actually works after 2 days and it has none of those nasty jitters.

Is that the normal amount of email you get or has it been increasing lately?

I went through a bout of insomnia a few weeks ago, but I am pretty sure it was related to the stress of changing graduate advisors.

I started to write another story about my insomnia here, but it was one of "my stories" that I wanted to put on my blog eventually so that is where it is now.

Writing *is* therapeutic, isn't it? I try to blog/write nightly, if only to clear my head from the day's accumulated bullshit. I usually listen to music that reflects my mood at the time, and will write anywhere from five minutes to two hours. My peak creative times are from 10:00PM to 2:00AM, and I go with it. I stopped adhereing to "normal" sleep times years ago, as I was going through something similar to you. Finally I just listened to what my body was telling me and got up when it wanted me up and slept when it wanted me to sleep. It's hard when you have both work and school to contend with (as I did at the time...now it's just work), but you can make it work. Three hours is par for the course for me nowadays...maybe six on a good night. Increments of three seem to be the best...don't ask me why. I've met other people who sleep the same way I do, so I'm not worried. It's a novelty when I *do* sleep, not when I don't.

Good luck with your insomnia, Wil. If you need sleep tips, feel free to e-mail me. I've been doing this for years, and have all kinds of advice for temporary sufferers. None of it works for *me* of course, but it does for "normal" people. (Not that you're in any way "normal". :-)

Herself,
Aylaleia - Goddess of Justice and Vengeance

Hmmm...your blog has inspired me to post something in mine over this subject. I love that.

I know you are getting loads of advice on the subject, and it all looks good. I'm a professional insomnic (I rarely sleep more than 20 hours a week), and nobody really knows why or how to stop it. So I'm sending you loads of sleepy karma your way, my man...and I recommend some classical guitar.

Hmmm will, I am concerned about your wellbeing... but, losing a testicle does that to a man, ask Adolf Hitler. But Seriously, I think it's unresolved issues and I might just be able to pinpoint them for you.

You earned lots of money as a kid, and are loved/hated all over the world for being that annoying little fucktard with cheesy lines on a TV show that is repeated every day everywhere in the world (I bet it's on Iraqi TV already, in fact, I can guarantee it was the first non-news related propaganda that was broadcast there after Bush moved in). Now you're older, don't really need to work in the true sense of the word and can't be bothered doing anything because you know you don't need to. But... you do need to.. which is why you're not sleeping.

I suggest taking copious amounts of drugs, for a period of no less than 3 months. Start off with marijuana then move onto mushrooms, then acid. There's nothing, I say NOTHING like a good diet of toxins to focus your mind and clear new paths.

Seriously.

Just do it.

Clear your mind *Young Grasshooper*...

I,m New to this blog thing as a matter of fact this is my first posting and as I was reading you comments on your trouble sleeping it is similar to what i go through myself with the mind racing and legs that run a thousand miles and hour and no where to go besides change of diet and excersize try and take out as much caffine as you can after 5pm and try and tone down electronics and other distractions in the evening and you will find it a little easier
didnt wana sound like a worry wort but sometimes it works for me good luck

Wil: For me, just trusting my body seems to work. If I can't get to sleep at 10 p.m. or 11 .m., or midnight, but can get to sleep at 1 a.m. or 2 a.m. (or 2:40 a.m.), I'll try going to sleep then instead. We don't always know how much sleep we need and may incorrectly believe we should be going to sleep at a certain time simply because many people go to sleep at that time. I find that if I follow my own natural rhythms and don't sweat about it, I'll get more work done. Trust the natural rhythms. You might be a night owl for a while. You can also try eliminating all stimulants (for example--no caffeine, whether from soda, tea, or coffee) and NOT go to bed until you really feel tired. For me that works. I stay up later than I used to, and work later into the night. And if insomnia really irritates you, try using the time when you're up to do some useful but unpleasant chores (like scrubbing the kitchen floor). Sleep may become a more appealing option for your body. And, if the insomnia persists for a while, at least you'll have a cleaner floor for your troubles. As for not feeling inspired--that happens to all of us at times. Making more contact with people who've inspired you--or whom you've inspired; it can work both ways--is great. Good luck. And thanks!

Ah yes, the feeling that you are standing at the edge of the pool. Or in front of a blank screen. Or (it used to be) staring at a blank piece of paper.

Just write. Even if it's crap, it's better than nothing. Sometimes you need to write crap for a little while until the real stuff starts coming out.

And if, on that day, all you write is crap, then you need to take a break and clear your head to figure out what you intend to say. Writer's block is nothing more than being unclear about your intentions.

The important thing is this: write!

Regarding the sleep: have you tried using a hot tub (assuming you have one) right before bed? It usually relaxes me enough to settle down. But I know what you mean. Sometimes the same sort of thing happens to me. But being a woman, I just blame my hormones, LOL!

Wil

I have been having the same problems as of late. I sleep for 2 to 4 hours and then am up the rest of the night. My brain won't shut off and my body won't rest. I know exactly what my problem is, though. My body's clock is all out of whack. I work night shifts, which normally doesn't bother me that much. But as of late, it has wreaked havoc on me. But I just keep working on getting rest whenever i can so I get some. I wish you the best and hope u get a good night's sleep soon.

Hey! First Time here. I came after reading Dorktower. I saw you had a Blog from some guy who said so who commented in the blog of the guy who makes Dorktower. Then I was like...whatever...he isn't worth my time. Then I started looking through some of the dorktower comics I missed, and saw one where Igor was talking to you...and you were like, "I did things after I was in Star Trek...like I blah...blah...blah" I wasn't really paying attention. You obviously read them..but...anyway. Live Long and Prosper! muhahahaha!

Well, it's 2:50 AM and I tried to go to bed hours ago..like 11:30PM!! Heh.

I actually logged onto your site because I can't sleep and wanted to see what was happening in Wil's life. And what do ya know?

Funny I was watching some old old cartoon movie from when I was a little kid in hopes that it would give me that warm fuzzy feeling and put me to sleep. I was shocked when I saw your name in the credits.. You know that blank stare when you can't sleep, but you're tired and sort of awake? Yeah that was me, but somehow your name caught my eye. I had no idea you were in that movie and your voice never dawned on me either.

I haven't had the TV on in over two weeks! Well, it's the end of the semester and it's crunch time - hell week.

I don't expect you will actually read this.. there are plenty of your fans in here throwing support your way and many of them seem to relate to our problem. But, I'm gunna write this anyway, because it somehow it makes me feel good to do so.

Your problem with sleeping struck me, because it's exactly the same problem I have. I am having it now because I am processing so many ideas with all my end-of-semester crunching, and doing so all day without really having any time to reflect on them or process. I was going through this at the begining of the semester as well, and was having the worst time sleeping. I even saw a doctor, who, of course, we eager to try some drugs on me. The drugs didn't do it.

Tired isn't my problem. I am dead tired! It's my mind racing and it doesn't stop. I don't really want it too either. I am have so much going on in there and I really wanna hash them out. I am afraid I'm going to lose them or something, I don't know... Perhaps it's my patience, and the lack of it. I get an idea and I can't wait to explore it. It's an internal battle because I need to go to sleep, so I try to fight it, but that only keeps me up all the more. I'm sure you know what I am talking about.

I also know, that it isn't diet. I eat very well, but I am also active. I thought about the same causes relating to exercise, but it wasn't the case for me. I bike ride and play racquetbll on campus every day of the week. During my last period of sleeplessness, I doubled and sometimes trippled my activity level in order help me sleep. That didn't work either.. But, however, I did lose a few pounds. SO, that doesn't hurt.

I feel like there just isn't enough time in the day to get everything done, or just be be done with the day. I really don't WANT to go to bed when I do.

Heh, one of the things I liek about your writing is that you, like me, make realizations about yourself during and through your writing. That's one of the major reasons I like writing and also why I read your blog. Forgive me for saying so, but I can't help feeling that we share a few things in common. At the very least we seem to think alike.

I wish I had an answer for you. If I did, I would also have an aswer for myself, and wouldn't be typing this so late. I will keep posted and hope if you do resolve this issue, you will share it with the rest of us - those who are awake still.

Night,

- Don

wow wil, reading other peoples posts on here is quite interesting...

Start trek advice? lol, at least one rude-as-hell prick, but I liked Tanya;s advice. Man, she seems like she knows what the problem is, and has a desent idea about what to do about it. I think I'ma gunna give it try! :-))

okay, this should be it.. unless I read something else that tottaly crazy on here and I gotta comment on it. heh.

Night.

You've probably already tried this, but it seems to help me if I don't eat anything after about 7pm, otherwise I can't get to sleep until after midnight. Not good for exams :-/

Blogging is indeed therapeutic. Whenever I have troubles I like to blog about them. And nobody even reads my blog, so it's not like I even get the satisfaction of comments from adoring fans.

I guess it's just putting it out into the ether. Communicating problems still seems as good a treatment as dealing with them, even if it's not to people.

Hi Wil,
I can sympathize with the sleeping problem. The advice and suggestions so far have been good. I have one more to add. You might get a complete physical including a thyroid test. I have a bad thyroid and when the medicine is not working I am beyond tired. I know men don't often have thyroid problems but it would be worth looking into. Wouldn't think that such a small gland could cause soooo much trouble.
I'll be sending good thoughts as always. Jeanine

Big N, small y, Giant FUCKING Q.

NyQuil man, knocks me right out.

They are totally stealing your material!

******
http://www.umc.pitt.edu/media/pcc/dude.html

Scott F. Kiesling, a professor in Pitt’s Department of Linguistics, investigated the origins and usage of the “D” word and has published his findings in “Dude,” an article in the linguistics journal American Speech (Duke University Press, Fall 2004).

*******
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/6676586/

The Associated Press
Updated: 9:59 a.m. ET

Dec. 8, 2004
PITTSBURGH - Dude, you’ve got to read this.

A linguist from the University of Pittsburgh has published a scholarly paper deconstructing and deciphering the word “dude,” contending it is much more than a catchall for lazy, inarticulate surfers, skaters, slackers and teenagers.

Are you sure you haven't just been starting Fight Clubs across the country?

1. Exercising supresses the immune system so running with a cold is a bad idea. Light exercise is probably okay. Taking the dogs for a walk and to the park and getting some fresh air (which I realize is a relative term in your parts) might help.

2. For sleeping, I'm a fan of kava kava. Take a couple before you go to bed. It will relax you and in the morning you'll feel line. I was irritated when they took it off the market in Canada, but I have my sources.

Wil -- I had the same problem with sleep, and I figured out that it was my drinking coffee too late in the day. If I drank coffee after 2PM or so, I'd lay in bed tossing and turning.

No one has suggested massage yet. You and your wife could take a couple's class at a local hospital or community college. It's a good way of restoring balance to the body.

" When I wake up, I have a headache, my neck hurts, and I feel like I haven't slept at all."

There's obviously a lot of different reasons you might feel this way (see all the comments above!) but when I read this, I too thought "sleep apnea". This is what I used to feel like before I got my CPAP. If your wife says you're a snorer, it's something you should at least ask your doctor about.

more info at sleepfoundation.org.

whenever i have had trouble sleeping (in the past), i found that thoroughly exhausting myself with some form of physical activity...and following that with a long hot shower really helps.

Can't sleep ? I usually discover the root cause is worrying about not having enough money to pay the bills. Then I go out and buy something I don't need and can't afford, that really helps!

So I guess you need to sell some more books or open up a PayPal link on your site for "donations to keep it running" ?

In fact, I should be at work right now instead of sitting here typing along, thinking of something else to make everyone smile.

The next time your head asploads, can you upload a picture or short video of it ? I haven't stopped laughing from that one yet.

Take care Wil!

On the advice in the comments here (medical advice from the Internet, shocker!) I went out and got some Melatonin yesterday myself, since I've been exhibiting the same symptoms lately (and also wondered about RLS).

I can't say it completely revolutionized my sleeping habits yet, but I went to bed at 9 for the first time in ages and was asleep by 10, sleeping through nicely until 7/8ish the next morning. Based on the amount of dreams I had, definite deep REM sleep too.

Overall, I was impressed so far.

Melatonin, which several people have recommended here, is good. But I've always been advised by people I trust concerning herbs and supplements, not to use it for more than a few days or a week, and to take it (in that period) an hour or two before you would like to go to sleep. It does not work instantly. It will do the good that it can do for you, if you use it on a short-term basis. For som people it can, in effect, "reset the biological clock" so that you get used to a new bedtime. (And for that reason it is really helpful in overcoming jet-leg.) But I'm told it is not intended for ongoing, daily use. Nor should it be combined with other herbal supplements which people use as sleep aids (like Valeria Root and Kava Kava), since you may wind up too groggy the next day.

Wil,

It sounds like there's a chance you might be passing a kidney stone- especially with the ansy feeling in the back of your legs. Maybe it's time to visit the ol' doc.

Chip: I got similar advice at the Vitamin Shoppe about not relying on Melatonin in the long run. And yet sites tout other health benfits as an anti-oxidant and even preventing against some forms of cancer. So why stop after a few days/weeks?

What's odd is that while they give advice to the contrary in the store, they're quite happy to sell you a 300 tablet package, when the recommended use is one tablet.

Wil,

Are there certain steps to doing a mental housecleaning? Or is it just being metacognative and then kicking yourself in the mental rear?

I did not read all the comments so I'm not sure if someone suggested this already, but a little bit of lavender in your pillow might help you sleep better (either put a pouch of lavender in your pillowcase or put some lavender oil on a hanky & put that in your pillow case) It does sound like your mind is keeping you up & of course writing down what's on your mind should help... that way when the bothersome thought comes back you can just say to yourself, "I don't need to worry about it, it's written down and I won't forget"

Hey, Will!

Congrats on the great ACME show! I know how much fun it is to have fun at work!

I got some work to do on the "10 ways" list, but I do got number 1 all the way down.

As to the sleep and the emails. I know it sounds brutal, but I tell ya there's just something cathartic about the damned delete key. If it's important, they'll write back. If not, they're just takin' up space in yer head!

Stay well, my friend.

I had a friend comment that it might be cool to read about a D&D game - going from game to guys sitting around.

I wouldn't take any meds for sleep - those things are too easy to get addict to & that is something I don't want to happen to you(or anyone else for that matter).

Stopping the caffiene after 4 & making a list of things to do & getting back into running are great ideas. You might even try doing yoga or other relaxation exercises before bed.

Stay safe

Wil

I feel you pain. Being amom,wife and sometimes writer and researcher I understand.

Your ST:TNG had the best recipe:

Milk.. Warm.. with a dash of nutmeg

OK, I'll stop :P

Try any of the following:

SSRI anti-depressants
melonin
ativan/benzodiazipines

Try snogging the wife and if that does not work, try Ambien. If the Ambien does not work, try snogging the wife AND Ambien. Been a complete life saver for me (the Ambien anyway).

There is always watching golf on television...

Regards,

Pookie

Have you considered going to a massage therapist? Sounds like a lot of pent up stress. Having a professional massage does wonders. Try it. Also, I keep a pen and paper by my bed for nights when the brain won't turn off. I write down what keeps circulating and then tell myself to let it go. hang in there, it will get better!

Will, it sounds like sleep apnea. I have it. The fact that you said that you wake with a start means you are not breathing, this is not good, you can die. I had to go to a sleep doctor and get evaluated. I now have a machine that I sleep with, it puts just the slightest positive air pressure into your lungs so when you fall asleep you don't stop breathing. Do you snore? If you do this will stop you from snoring. You will not believe how great a sleep you get once you have a machine. Good luck - just a suggestion.

Jim

a Hot Toddie Would help ya sleep for sure, and if that dont do it, have anne bring you some warm milk and some choco chip cookies :)

Wil,
I have no idea how to get you more sleep. I think it will catch up to you one of these days and you will sleep a lot. The body just tells you to go to sleep once you are at your limit. I am no doctor. When I am really active or change time zones, I have no sleeping patern. My body just tells me to sleep like a baby and then I catch up on any lost sleep.

FG

Will,

It is possible that being sick has thrown your internal workings completely out of whack, and that's what's causing your insomnia.

However, based on the things that you say, it sounds like you're experiencing what I often experience.

Without fail, it's because I have serious things that I really need to take care of weighing on my mind. Relaxation techniques, enjoyable diversions, vacation, extra time in bed -- none of it helps.

The only thing that works is to bite the bullet and tackle whatever painful or overwhelming task I've been dreading and putting off, and just take care of whatever it is that needs to be done (no matter how painful or tedious). If it helps, see if there's a way that you can break up a task into smaller pieces that you can perform in separate sessions.

Hang in there, and best wishes.

Wil-

I'm not sleeping lately either. I'm suffering from boyfriend-out-of-town and cat-won't-have-the-dang-kittens-already syndrome. I'm actually passing the time by reading all of your comments in Fark threads. How sad is THAT?

Damn, Now I feel bad for writing you about Ghost Recon 2 tips.

I hope you get some sleep man. That is horrible.

Stay the course

Get a night shift job and crash immediately (without chat, breakfast or washing) the moment you get get. You will sleep solidly for 8 or 9 hours and wake up ready to go. That is what happened to me. Or, if sticking with day shifts, abandon evening wakeful leisure and/or home work and crash in the same way around 18h00 and wake around 02h00 and do your home stuff until the day shift begins at 09h00 or whatever. It worked for me in the 1960s and 1970s -but I am single.

First off love the site. I sat and read throught some of your ventings from your achive. I gotta agree with you bush is a smuck and he is the reason blowjobs were invented .
second haven read about your years in the trek world
i think they made you off to be goofy and gave the the scrips the other actors looked at and said i dont think so.
keep on keeping on great stuff
thank you

ps get some sleep

Sometimes I just don't need sleep. Or at least, much sleep. So I just use the time to work on stuff and keep busy and I usually even out in the end. Of course, it's never gone on for more then a few days. If it went on for a week or so. Good luck.

Well, I'm new here. I saw you (Wil) on VH1 and decided to check you out online. Not so much because I am a Star Trek fan (that's my husband, I've always been obsessed with Star Wars myself) but because I can totally relate to the being a geek thing. As I said, not only was I a Star Wars fan (okay, so I can beat just about anyone at Star Wars trivial pursuit) but I was also in the band (Marching band and others), I played the flute (when American Pie came out in theaters (I'm only 22 and graduated in 2001)) and about 25 other instruments... for fun.

Anyway, I am posting to say that, as well as to say that to cure insomnia excercise in the morning. Even walking for 10 minutes after your morning coffee will help you get, and stay, to sleep. You will also feel better and have more energy throughout the day.

Good luck and I hope this helps.

Ellen Chernoff Simon's Guided Imagry is a great aid for sleep function and other areas of concern.

After years of sleep problems I am finding a restful night sleep just by listening to a short CD before bed.

good luck.

Have you tried meditation? Perhaps a good relaxing meditative bath or just laying there and trying a meditative exercise will help the mind just as physical exercise helps the body.

Ugh... I've been singing the insomnia song since this summer. I've been using Melatonin to kind of get my sleep pattern regulated. My problem is I can't seem to get my brain to tip toe over that line from "I'm lying here entertaining myself until I fall asleep" to "Ok, I'm asleep." If I had health insurance I'd go to the doctor... but, well... *all hail King George II!!!!!!!!!!!* *eye roll* ;o)

Hey Wil,
When I can't sleep I try star watching (the constellation variety). Chamomile tea, vanilla, any thing with hibiscus, relaxes. Or try to exhaust yourself! Maybe just think it through like you seem to be doing. K

I am WITH YOU and the fellow insomniacs. What a lot of good advice!

My favorite remedy -- ALLUNA. You can get it at Savon or wherever for about $10, and there are zero side effects (no hangover is even possible).

It is a magnical, herbal mixture: Valerian (root of poppy flowers which give us heroin and morphine, but roots just make you sleepy) and Hops (of beer and ale fame, right?).

I have taken this at 2 or 3 in the morning, and I am always drowzy and dropping off within the hour.

Hope your problem cures itself, but if not, try everything here one at a time.

Gosh, Wil... sounds like you are pregnant. Your description of your sleep patterns are exactly like mine - except I'm *pretty sure* you don't have a bun in the oven (like me). There's lots of good advice above and hopefully something up there works... if not, take a break and go somewhere with Anne...

Just in time for you Will...
First Treatment For Chronic Insomnia Approved
NEW YORK - For the first time, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration has approved a sleeping pill without restrictions warning doctors not to prescribe the medicine for long-term use. Lunesta, formerly referred to as Estorra, will be available in pharmacies in January. It will be marketed with a $60 million direct-to-consumer advertising campaign.
http://www.forbes.com/healthcare/2004/12/16/cx_mh_1216sepr.html?partner=rss

My sleep is awful too. I know its because I take on too many things in my head, but I just can't stop. Thinking seems to have become like crack to me. And now that I am trying to run a business its gotten unbelievably worse. I have started a journal of this messed up adventure at safelykept.blogspot.com.

Stay healthy!

Hey Wil,

One more thing that may help is going to an allergist for an allergy test to see what you are allergic to if you haven't already. I visited one a while back who told me that some people's allergies are highest in the middle of the night because that's when a lot of plants sporate. Kid you not. Anyway, it can also give you that antsy feeling in your joints, especially in your knees. That combined with an overactive brain would keep anyone up. Good luck with it!