Mom Confessions
I have insomnia and the docs think the only way to help is by giveing me meds and when i have taken them i dont like that they knock me out cause i have 2 kids. I have tried everthing that my family as brought up... telling my self a story, reading a book, not eating or drinking certian things before bed, just laying down with your eyes shut and have your mind blank. Nothing has worked. When i lay down i can toss and turn for hours and not even relize it untill i finally have to get up to use the bathroom and see how late it is. I am looking for any new ideas to help me. My kids are both in school now but i still dont feel right takeing meds to help me sleep cause what if something was to happen and my kids couldnt get me awake ( im a single mom) i do try and get a few hours of sleep when they leave for school and always up before they get home but its just really getting to me either i feel like i havent got enough sleep if i sleep at all or when i finally do fall asleep i still wake up feeling like crap cause i feel like i have slept to long. I have had this problem since i was younger but i always got told its just me and there isnt nothing wrong i just need to get up early and go to bed early and i have and there are weeks here and there that i can go to bed early and get up early and feel fine but then there are the weeks like that past 2 weeks that i havent been able to get much sleep or feel like i slept to much.
Replies
-
Smoke a joint you will sleep just fine and its 100% natural with no side effects :) -
Go get a product called midnite at Walmart. It works for me and sleeping pills won't even work.
-
Can't Sleep?
Insomnia Tips, Insomnia Remedies and (just maybe) Insomnia Cures to Help You Sleep
42 simple tips—Natural, healthy sleep help
They're all designed to help you deal with the tension, stress and anxiety that lead to insomnia, so that you can enjoy a good night's sleep.
Not every one of these insomnia remedies alone will get you to sleep, but a few of them at least should prove successful. Needless to say, there's no guarantee, and no attempt to provide medical advice, but the feedback we've received indicates they've been very helpful for many people.With that caveat out of the way, we can only wish you good luck. And a good night's sleep.
AdsJoin our online insomnia support community
Visit our insomnia help forum for genuine insomnia advice and support from other insomnia sufferers. Click here to visit the forum now.
This website does accept selected advertising, if we feel it is appropriate for the site and of value to visitors. Contact us if you are interested.
Insomnia remedies you've probably already tried but are still worth trying again.
- See a Doctor
Insomnia can be a symptom of physical disorders, although for most of us it's the result of tension, stress and anxiety—and of course the more anxious we get about our insomnia, the worse it gets. If your doctor pronounces you a "healthy" insomniac, he might suggest some of the techniques provided here. Or she might prescribe drugs to help you get to sleep.
We suggest you try all these methods first, and use drugs only as a last resort. The decision, of course, is yours.
- Take a Warm Bath
It's a great way to relax your body. Don't overdo it, however. You merely want to relax your body, not exhaust it. Too long in hot water and your body is drained of vitality.
Use bath salts, or throw in Epsom salts and baking soda—one cup of each. These will relax you and also help remove toxins from your body.
- Get a Massage
Have your spouse (or whoever) give you a massage just before going to sleep. If you can convince them to give you a full body massage, great. If not, even a short backrub and/or a face and scalp massage can be a big help. Have them make the massage strokes slow, gentle, yet firm, to work the tension out of your muscles and soothe you to sleep.
- Listen to Music or Other Audio
Enjoy this five minute relaxation audio.
Headphones recommended
Download this five minute audio for use at home (It's free)- Drink Warm Milk
A glass of warm milk 15 minutes before going to bed will soothe your nervous system. Milk contains calcium, which works directly on jagged nerves to make them (and you) relax.
- Drink Herb Tea
If you don't like milk—or are avoiding dairy products—try a cup of hot camomile, catnip, anise or fennel tea. All contain natural ingredients which will help you sleep. Most health food stores will also have special blends of herb tea designed to soothe you and help you get to sleep.
Click any of the links below for full information on more insomnia tips
- Eat a Bedtime Snack
- Avoid Caffeine, Alcohol and Tobacco
- Sleep in a Well-Ventilated Room
- Sleep on a Good Firm Bed
- Sleep on Your Back
- Get Some Physical Exercise During the Day
- Keep Regular Bedtime Hours
- If You Can't Sleep, Get Up
- Don't Sleep In
- Get Up Earlier in the Morning
- Keep Your Bed a Place for Sleep
- Avoid Naps
- Avoid Illuminated Bedroom Clocks
Play some soft, soothing music that will lull you to sleep. There are many CDs designed for that very purpose. Some are specially composed music, others simply have sounds of waves rhythmically breaking, or the steady pattern of a heartbeat. Some will lead you to sleep with a combination of music, voice and other soothing sounds.
Of course there's the standard insomnia remedy
that everyone knows (although it never worked for us, so we've got a better version)Some insomnia cures you probably
haven't seen before- Sleep With Your Head Facing North
- Don't Watch TV or Read Before Going to Bed
- Toe Wiggling
- Stomach Rub
- Progressive Relaxation
[Listen to, or download at no charge, this guided relaxation] - Deep Breathing
- Visualize Something Peaceful
- Visualize Something Boring
- Imagine It's Time to Get Up
- Quiet Ears
And some new suggestions from readers
Good luck! Have a pleasant sleep!
who have found these remedies useful for their own insomnia. - See a Doctor
-
Won't she get hungry???
Quoting momoftwo0406:
Smoke a joint you will sleep just fine and its 100% natural with no side effects :) -
As a single parent there isn't much you can do. You have to be accessible and alert when needed.
I take ambien here and there. It works but my dh and I co-sleep with our two yr old so if I take an ambien I have to sleep in the guest room so I don't like taking it.
You can try over the counter stuff. I would discuss a better option with our doc. If they don't help maybe see a naturopath? -
Maybe see about getting 5mg of Ambien and cut it in half. That is how I started taking them and they never "knocked" me out enough where I did not wake up easily. Just beware they are addicting. I have been on them for 3 years now and I am really OK with it. I would much rather be able to fall asleep when I lay down rather than toss and turn for hrs on end.
-
Try melatonin. -
I sleep walked, made sandwiches, and freaked out my SO while on that, on the nights it's actually worked. It's dangerous for some people.
Quoting melakay1981:
Maybe see about getting 5mg of Ambien and cut it in half. That is how I started taking them and they never "knocked" me out enough where I did not wake up easily. Just beware they are addicting. I have been on them for 3 years now and I am really OK with it. I would much rather be able to fall asleep when I lay down rather than toss and turn for hrs on end.
-
Annnnnnnd cue the smoke a joint comments
-
I dream prep. Try to figure out what i want to dream about that night. Block out all bad thoughts. Works once in awhile.