Benadryl can stay in the system for a long time if you intend to take Benedryl the night before school you should take it early in the evening at least 10-12 hours before you intend to wake up.  I don't think a shower right before bed will help much, you need a hot bath to increase your body temp at least 90 minutes before bed, it takes 90 minutes for your body temperature to cool, which is what actually encourages sleep.  When you go to bed at night the room needs to be quiet, anything with words or talk or commercials will stimulate the brain, and the room needs to be completely dark.  Your bed should be used for nothing other than sleep, no reading, no computer, no TV, not to talk on the phone, this teaches the body that when you get in your bedroom it is for sleep, no other activity.  Cover up the clock or anything else that gives off light.  Go to bed and get up the same time every night, no naps, even on the weekend.  As a teen more than likely your body clock is set to go to bed really late, It's called Delayed Sleep Latency it is common in teens.  Since lack of sleep can lead to severe health issues it is important for you to see a doctor about this problem if it persists.  Since you are starting school soon, it maybe the stress of a new year and the unknown that is the culprit right now, see if the situation improves once school has begun a week or two.  I hope this helps.

Michele

     I added a blog with a complete list of sleep tips for you to try to help you sleep.  I hope it helps.

Michele

The only one that is hard for me to follow is only using my room for sleep. My house is always super noisy, and my room is the only decent place to study and do homework. I never really have time to take naps. I kind of have a sleep ritual, but I could probably go with it a little more and see if that helps. I only drink caffeine once a day. (As soon as I wake up.)

I've never had trouble sleeping before this. Not even in the summer time when most kids my age are up all night.

If anything is bothering me or making me think too hard, I really have no idea what it is.

when did this problem start with you??

"ive had the same problem and i use to take medicine like advil PM and stuff to make me go to sleep but the i saw the 'sleep number' thing oin tv and it really does work! its a relly relaxing bed and it helps me sleep...maybe u just need a more comfortable bed"

I would say this all started around July 17th. I stayed up until like 5 AM just lying in bed staring at the ceiling, then woke up at about 7 AM. That was the worst night. Now I usually go to bed at 11 or 12 and don't fall asleep until like 3 or 4. And I always wake up between 7 and 8 and can't go back to sleep.

I start school tomorrow morning, and I wake up for school at 6:30. I think school might help my problem because I will be more active.

     Good Luck and enjoy your first day of school tomorrow!  I used to write emails to my friends about sleep, they were called Good Night Emails, each night I would give information about a sleep topic and then I would Bestow some "Magic Sleepy Dust" as I called it, some of the girls said it worked, anyway tonight I will bestow my "Magic Sleepy Dust" on you so you can get a good night's sleep and wake refreshed and ready to see your friends on your first day back to class!  Sweet Dreams Heather!  Have a great day tomorrow!

Michele

Perhaps listening to music or nature sounds such as water, birds, etc. could help you relax.  A warm glass of milk before bed is relaxing.   Look into Yoga or some other relaxing techniques.  Inquire if acupuncture could be helpful. Reading before bed always puts me to sleep.  Find an interesting book with some of the above mentioned suggestions. Best of luck.

Hi!  I've been where you are now.  You know, when you just are so ready to sleep and you're in bed with eyes closed but your mind just keeps whirring and thinking and thinking.  It can get frustrating.

HowI managed mine may not be effective for everyone but Yoga did it for me.  I regularly exercise although certainly not within an hour before I need to sleep  as it energizes me and keeps me from sleeping!  I normally am good with sleeping but when work and other stuff got in the way, I found that the discipline of Yoga-which is to focus on something including nothingness as well as deep breathing-worked for me.  In case you're wondering, I did Bikram.  I don't anymore but the lessons stayed and that's what I use.

I hope it works for you too.