I have a lot of trouble sleeping, in fact I get maybe 4-5 1/2 hours of sleep per day but I can't help it. I try to sleep but I can't. Anyone know the consequences of poor sleep? How can I get myself to sleep without taking NyQuil or anything?

You should know the consequences of lack of sleep or poor sleep. Mostly loss of concentration, being uncoordinated, grouchy.

Melatonin is the best I've found. It helps to balance your serotonin. 1MG is all you should need; but most people take 3. It normally means that your body is not producing enough of its own. Also spidey, remember this substance whenever you fly and have jetlag. It will reset your body clock the best of anything I've ever used. You should not need it every night.

I hope everything is going well with your education. We haven't heard anything for a while.

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- Jim

I agree with taking melatonin, however, would suggest 3 mg. I would also suggest more physical exercise, which also helps to relieve stress.

It is also important to sleep in a totally dark room, at least four feet away from any wall plugs, plug in alarm clock, etc.. for the EMF from these devices/circuits can disrupt normal sleep patterns.

Poor sleep on a regular basis can deplete the immune system, and since most healing is done while sleeping... well, you get the picture.

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Let Food Be Your Medicine And Medicine Be Your Food.(Hippocrates)

Thank you guys for the advice. Well, jfh I did know the simple consequences like lack of concentration, but I meant long term effects like high blood pressure. Is Melatonin over the counter medicine? And I guess I can try physical exercise, I have a lot of stress my mom is not well (mentally, she thinks that she has a tumor even after good MRI results and believes the doctors cut her down below. she was in a psych ward for 2 weeks about three months ago).

as far as my education, I graduate June 24th, and am going away to a SUNY school for college. I am going to take Computer Science, though I may switch to New Media as a major. Nervous and excited!

I don't know if it will affect your blood pressure. Nervousness and anxiety will though. It's difficult to anticipate what will change your life when going to college. It will. I wish we had computer science when I was going to school (1967). I had to go for math and logic. I'm not familiar with New Media. I suspect that it has to do with the modern broadband protocols. There is certainly a need for that. I wish you the very best.

Melatonin is definitely over the counter. You can even get it at your friendly neighborhood Wal-Mart. Although they seem to only have the 5MG size. I think that is too much. It would be for me. 1 to 3 mg should be plenty. Try your favorite drug store.

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- Jim

My grandmother mentioned blood pressure to me, then again she also believes that ice cubes in a drink will make your throat sore and give you a cold. lol. College I'm sure will be an amazing experience for me, even though I know there will be much pressure. I also need to get away from home badly so I can concentrate on my work and all. Computer science should be cool. New Media does require computer science as a minor as well. It also deals with advertising, creating videos, stuff like that. Too bad my first year is a bunch of classes that really have nothing to do with my major, but it is still a learning experience.