I am sure many of you blogger out there have struggled with insomnia from time to time. And for some reason, it seems to come in waves. I may not have issues with it at all, and then...it will strike. I have my little remedies that seem to work - a little at least.
For starters...I end the evening with Sleepytime Tea Extra Wellness (HERE). That seems to help, except for tea makes me have to use the bathroom and that is a bummer at night time. Must make sure it is the EXTRA WELLNESS TEA not just the regular sleepytime tea.
I also try to not wake myself up with chores right before bed. That tends to get me going again and then it is hard to drift off and I hate when I miss that sleepy window. You know when you were sleepy and then it has seemed to passed and you are awake with thoughts running through your head.
I have a few movies I have seen so many times that I love to fall asleep to them. Anything that I am too interested in tends to keep me awake. But if I have seen it many times before, I can doze off to it. May favorite list of those movies are...Sabrina (my choice last night at 4:30 am), Sleepless in Seattle, Baby Boom, and While You Were Sleeping. These movies are all sweet, not scary or intense and the music in the background isn't too wild.
So, those are my best remedies. Any one have anything else I am missing? What are your remedies to help you deal with insomnia? Or am I the only one that struggles with it???
Tuesday, January 27, 2009
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16 comments:
I'm so sorry that you're dealing with that!
Though watching TV usually will get me sleepy, I prefer to read at bedtime. Even if it's an exciting book, my eyes just can't help getting tired and I long to shut them. Then, I usually will think about the storyline with my eyes closed (as opposed to what I have to do the next day, etc.), and before I know it, I'm asleep.
If you haven't read them yet, I love the Black-Red-White trilogy by Ted Dekker. I've gotten Keisuzi hooked on them, and I'm reading Red again just for fun.
Two herbal remedies...melatonin and valerian. Have had varying success with these and the most success with chamomile tea.
Prayer! :)
I have it too, in waves. The only thing that works for me is to take a sleeping pill. But, I can't do that if I'm on call, or if I realize too late at night that I'm not going to fall asleep. But, after years and years of periodic waves of insomnia, and just suffering through, now if I have 2 bad nights in a row, by the third night, I take something and that usually does the trick. (We're not talking heavy drugs here: Tylenol pm will work fine for me! It's probably just the placebo effect! ha.)
No matter what the time, I always read in bed tucked under the covers. Sometimes it's only for 5 minutes but it's part of my routine and it is very restful and it probably is telling my mind/body that it's time to soon go to sleep. Sometimes it's a page turning James Paterson novel or it can be Better Homes and Gardens magazine.
After 2 years of praying and trying to find a solution for a vicious cycle of insomnia, I finally told my doctor about it. She prescribed a sleep aid that just helps me get to sleep and that's it. It doesn't keep me asleep or make me groggy...it has been a LIFE saver! I'm so happy I gave in and consulted a professional!
Melatonin seems to be helping me sleep better. I do not have too much trouble falling asleep but more so staying asleep. I also found that if I am having trouble sleeping whether when I first go to bed or when I wake up in the middle of the night I start praying for other people. It helps get my mind of my worries! I think just being in the presence of God is comforting as well. Hope he does not mind that I usually fall asleep then!!
Cindy Agnew
sorry can't help.
I've tried reading, movies, tea, melatonin, calcium magnesium, valerian root, tylenol pm, and unisom. Unfortunately I have had insomnia for well over 4 years or more. I can't seem to sleep more than a couple of hours in a row. Last month i went to doctor desperate for sleep because I'm definitely getting sick a lot from my lack of rest. He prescribed something, but it has the opposite effect and wires me out. I'm kind of at that point now where all I can do is shrug my shoulders and try to sneak an occasional nap:)
I'm a big fan of Tylenol PM. That's what got me thru years of working night shift and needing to sleep during the day. I also try not to get too many things going on late in the evening. I also like Andrea's advice. Something to consider.
Praying
On any given night, reading works well for me, be it a magazine or a book ... I rarely last 5 mins.
When my mind is racing and thinking about a zillion things I need to do or whatever ... my mom taught me this one: go through the ABCs, listing a city in your state (or old state), or flowers, or herbs, whatever you want. This works great for me, I usually get to "G" or so and I'm crashed .... if you're getting too far in the ABCs, list multiple for each letter.
Good luck!
I know it's not natural-but when I am having trouble sleeping I take a couple of Benadryl. I have been doing that most of my life since high school.
When I lived in Vegas, I would take $2 down to the nearest gambling spot, which was the convenience store right outside the gate to my apartment complex, or the casino up the street. I would play my $2 at the nickel slots, and by the time I had won and lost all my money, I was ready for bed. And at 3 in the morning, nobody cares what you look like or if you're in jammies. Some days I wish Lake County had a casino.
Now, I sneak out to the couch with a book and put in one of the Lord of the Rings movies. It's a guaranteed snooze fest.
Cristy
Hate to say - a big dose of sugary carbs....the other night it was an ice cream sandwich. Sometimes hot milk with a bit of sugar and vanilla. Seems to help; that and not worrying about it - either reading or watching TV - and planning a nap during the day!
Yes.... I too struggle with it from time to time. I have found lavender oil helps. Also a warm bath.
I find reading is realy restful, especially if it is a magazine that I can put down easily after a few pages.
Sorry for those yucky sleepless nights.
I find if I am tired enough I will HAVE to conk out. So if I have one or two bad nights, then I will sleep hard for sure the third night. Usually I have to be pretty stressed or worried about something though to keep me awake. Depends though.
Totally know what you mean about grabbing the "sleepy window". Although with a teenager in the house, I am usually ready for bed before he is. My famous line in our house is, "Mommy is tired, time for kids to go to bed."
yes I hate insomnia and I have to take medication when it gets real bad. Otherwise I like to read to get sleepy & watch familiar movies.
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