They say you shouldn’t watch tv or do any electronic stuff on an I pad etc late at night as there is too much stimulation going on.  Reading apparently better.

Although you say you don’t want to go down the sleeping pill route, could you take them just for say 3 days to get you back to a more regular routine?

From personal experience, the worst thing to do is to try to get to sleep.  Does your schedule allow you to sleep on in the mornings?  If so, when you’re awake in the middle of the night, could you say to yourself that it doesn’t really matter as you can sleep on later?

If you’re not sleeping because you’re worried you could have a piece of paper by your bed to write them down and then say to yourself you’ll consider them in the morning?

Also don’t make your bedroom anything else but where you sleep eg don’t work in there as well.

I’ve heard that a short nap during the day eg 20 mins is ok , you just don’t want to make it too long.

Hope that helps -now I’ve got to practice what I preach!

Also, are you busy enough during the day? Cancer treatment can often make you too tired / ill to do your usual activities but then you may not be tired enough at night.  If this is the case, is it feasible to make yourself do a little bit more during the day?

Hi hopecalm

Thank you for repling to my post with your helpful insights. Ill try switching from watching TV to reading before bed. I do have anxiety with the cancer mostly about getting my affairs in order finance for family funeral arrangements and so on. The tip on writing a note to consider in the morning is novel and something I shall do. I get excercise each day as I force myself to do a few hours work  which keeps me sane. I also go for walk 20 mins to one hour depending on fatigue level. Bedroom is dark and quiet as recommended. Daytime naps are dangerous as they end up being 2 hours rather than 20 mins and Ill hold off on the sleeping potions for now anyway. All the best.

Ed