Korean Job Discussion Forums

Emma Clare · Joined: 24 May 2003 Location: Anseong, sung, song.

I can't sleep. NEED sleep!! Sad

I'm currently living this kind of weird twilight existence and finding myself cooking spaghetti at 2am and watching old episodes of South Park, cleaning my bathroom at 3am, and then walking the streets at 4am because I simply cannot make myself sleep.

I get overwhelmingly tired by around 8pm, so I go to bed early, fine. But I keep waking up at 11pm and then I'm awake all freakin' night until around 6/7am, when I finally fall into a numb, exhausted sleep for a couple more hours.

Does anyone know of any sleep 'aids' available here? I'm talking about either natural or synthetic pills or potions available over the counter that will knock me out (and please, no offers to come round and do it for me) So pretty much the opposite of Bacchus.

Son Deureo! · Joined: 30 Apr 2003

I've never tried to get or use them here myself, as I brought a plentiful supply from home, but if you need some from the local pharmacy the Korean word for sleeping pills is: ��/soo-myun-jay.

Barring chemical assistance, I'd suggest either trying to watch Korean news on TV or study hanja for awhile. Also, MBC radio (90.3 FM) late at night (after 1 a.m. or so) have classical music and Korean call-in shows. After 3 a.m., AFN also usually has patriotic movies about America's participation in World War 2. All of these things bore me to sleep in a big hurry.

Pleasant dreams.

Emma Clare · Joined: 24 May 2003 Location: Anseong, sung, song.

(Currently 4.20am. Still WIDE awake)

Thanks. I have no TV or radio right now. I started trying to pick up Korean at 5am the other morning (you'll be pleased to know!) Actually got rather into it!

Screw it. Maybe if I drink enough soju I'll just pass out.

peppermint · Posted: Tue Dec 09, 2003 11:59 am Post subject:

I've got extreme jet lag- which amounts to the same thing, as I'm currently living like a vampire. Start with easy stuff- no caffeine after 5, a little lavender oil on the pillow (you can get it in Insa- dong and maybe at Carrefour too)

If these things don't work you could always try the nighttime cold remedy route. Be careful- these things can work a little too well. Embarassed

Emma Clare · Joined: 24 May 2003 Location: Anseong, sung, song.

inexhile · Joined: 18 Feb 2003

I had that problem
I'd either hit it with soju (hey its natural), or a pill called Sairin(sp). all sleep aids are over the counter in Korea, you don't need a doctors prescription.
Warm milk was also helpful and it makes your apartment smell nice.

Mr. Pink · Joined: 21 Oct 2003 Location: China

I think you don't work hard enough.

I remember you saying you work 10hrs a week?

I seriously have the opposite of your problem, there aren't enough hours for me to sleep.

Some suggestions:

WORK HARDER!
Join a GYM! Don't work out at night, work out at like 6-7am if possible...by 10pm you will be dying to goto bed.
DONT NAP WHEN YOU GET HOME!!! What are you thinking here? This is most likely WHY you can't sleep right. NO NAPS. Let me repeat that again, cause it will help you NO NAPS!!!

Sounds like you got things too easy. If you have a routine that can fill a day from 6-7am to say 10pm you will have NO PROBLEM sleeping. Seriously NO NAPS! during the daytime/evening and I promise you shouldn't have a problem sleeping all night.

Emma Clare · Joined: 24 May 2003 Location: Anseong, sung, song.

wildBillLee · Joined: 16 Jan 2003

You could try shoulder stands and a few other gentle yoga-style postures. The shoulder stand, though, is effective for some. But I've always preferred drugs.

Mr. Pink · Joined: 21 Oct 2003 Location: China

Chonbuk · Joined: 28 Jan 2003 Location: Vancouver

Hi EmmaClaire-

Okay, I have been where you are. I can't sleep at times also.
There are some drinks at almost all pharmacies- Chon Shim, it has several brands, ask for a sleepy drink, the parmacist will help you.

Also last week I quit smoking- yeah me!! and the withdrawl was intense, I went to another pharmacy to get some sleepy drinks but they gave me sleeping pills Zamero is the name.

Try either one of these-

also don't forget the deep breathing exercises, this knocks me out faster than anything.

good luck

Chonbuk

Emma Clare · Joined: 24 May 2003 Location: Anseong, sung, song.

VincentVulgati · Joined: 02 Nov 2003

Try drinking hot wine. Just grab a cheap bottle of red vino and heat it in a pan untill it starts steaming. A glass or two should knock you right out. Not sure why, but I've tried it a couple times and it works. Don't think its the alcohol because a bunch of it probably evaporates. Alcohol generally makes me hyper, and keeps me awake (up to a point, of course), but a cup of hot red wine shuts my eyes mighty fast.

VV

Derrek · Joined: 15 Jan 2003

Are you fighting depression at all?

That can screw over your sleep patterns.

Emma Clare · Joined: 24 May 2003 Location: Anseong, sung, song.

I'm not depressed, but pretty anxious at the moment, hence not sleeping.