scared at night

[kitten_uk2]

This is a really wierd question but i get scared at night, as im on my own because my partner works nights, has anybody got any ideas that will get me to sleep with nice pleasant thoughts?

[Piper-AK]

It's not weird, it's normal.  If I'm on my own I worry about noises that may be a burglar etc.  I put the radio on so I'm not straining my ears by listening for bumps in the night.  I also sleep with a golf club nearby, just in case.  Or you could just drink a bottle of wine, that'll send you to sleep with pleasant thoughts, not that you'll remember what they were... :-)

[flump1]

kitten, it might help to do a few of the things I do when i am alone at night. I keep a torch by the side of my bed !!! I take the phone to bed with me !! My husband rings me at night so I can share any concerns I may have ,or just to wish each other good night. A friend close by knows I am alone at night and I always have the offer to call her if needed. So recruit a friend you can trust. Then try to relax as much as you can, I read. I do have two dogs that I rely on for protection,I  would not like to put them to the test in the case of an intruder. !

[Englishbird]

I don't sleep very well at the best of times, over the years I have accumulated a number of 'charms' I have dream catchers, a luminous egyption cat, photo's and other bits that add to a feeling of calm. failing that had you considered getting a pet.  On occasions I have thought that i'd heard someone downstairs but my cats sleeps peacefully and I know that if someone was actually there they'd smell them and alert me.  (of course this is not fool proof as they will jump occasionally when there is nothing there!!) But it does kind of make me feel that i'm not alone.

[snapdharlich]

Always have some music on in the house, whether it be the radio, hi fi or TV to stop your mind wandering.  I wouldn't rely too much on Alky-hol. Not a good habit to get into. Leave some lights on downstairs - Most burglars are opportunists - Leave some lights on, close your windows and have a very obvious alarm outside with a massive flashing light outside - Sleep soundly in your bed - These things don't happen everyday - Careless people generally tend to be victims like these. ZZZZZzzzzz.

[manathu]

Try having an aromatherapy bath to relax you.  Also Boots sell sprays for your pillow that are harmless but help you sleep.  If you can't sleep, don't just lie there.  Get up and do something mindless like dusting or putting stuff away. Then after a few moments return to bed and you will probably fall asleep.

[WendyS]

Perhaps it will help you to feel less scared if you have the reassurance of knowing you have really good security locks fitted on your downstairs doors and windows. Your local police station can probably send a Crime Prevention Officer round to check over your house for any security weaknesses.   Also keep a light on in a downstairs room.   Next time you're near a security shop, buy yourself one of these little personal security attack alarms and keep it by the bed. You can probably also buy them over the internet.  They only cost a fiver and they make a piercing noise which would frighten any intruder off.).  Remember that very few intruders will risk breaking into a house where lights are on so statistically you are much safer than you realise.

Houses often have little noises of their own which can be scary until you get used to them, i.e. plastic gutterings and soffit boards crack & expand & shrink according to temperature, and hot water pipes knock and whistle.  Listen out for the noises at night and become familiar with them so they lose their capability to make you feel nervous.  

[not_a_clue!]

i know the answer is a bit late but if you're still having problems you could consider getting a cat, i'm alone at night too and you wouldn't believe how much safer you feel having someone else with you.