12 Mg Melatonin and 2 Benedryl about 90 mins before bedtime. Been doing this for years now.

And most importantly - if you decide to try reading, Bradbury is a poor choice.:rofl:

I'd suggest something much 'lighter'.

Thanks guys. I really appreciate all your suggestions. I'll research and try everything you mentioned. The last book I tried in bed was Kurzweil's The Singularity is Near. I plowed through all 652 pages in two sittings. But perhaps the utter transformation of humanity to an AI hyperconsciousness isn't the best "wind-down" reading before sleep.

I might sleep better if/when the state ever gets back to me about unemployment benefits.

Thanks again.

You could take comfort in knowing people out here care, if that helps. I really do hope you get some sort of resolution soon.

All good advice for what must be a very uncomfortable situation, ISB.

I "times two" on grindy's advice. Perhaps it's difficult because of your anxiety issues, but I think you should try to make your days as distinct as possible from your nights, so congrats on finding some community activities. If you can, use your daytime to be in the sunlight, moving around.
I once had mild sleep probs and found this piece of simple advice: only use your bed/bedroom at night.
I also learned that some people don't need many hours of sleep, which is why I'm surprised to see that you go to bed at 7. If you are actually a 5-hours-sleep-a-night person, trying to get 8 hours sleep a night is not going to work. Perhaps instead, try adapting your lifestyle to accomodate more waking hours: reading at the end of the day as TH suggests, but mainly in a chair, with just a last page or two in bed. Personally, I don't listen to much drone music, but I do like drone videos: have you ever watched those on Youtube? I find bird's-eye view footage of the Norwegian coast very soothing when my mind is exhausted but not yet sleepy.

(Also Chula says, don't read Bradbury - try reading one of our political discussion threads; you'll be asleep in seconds ;) )

If you get desperate, ISB, I can send you some more of my stories. They'll send you to sleep for sure! :laughing:

Keep an eye on him, Elph. My cousin's best friend drowned in my cousin's swimming pool when he was going through the DTs. It wasn't pretty.

I don't understand people who only **** once a day. I take three ****s just to start the day.

I take three shits in the morning
I take three shits at night
I take three shits in the afternoon
It makes me feel all right
I take three shits in time of peace
And three in time of war
I take three shits before I take three shits
And then I take three more

Not only do I only take one ****, I don't give two.