Sleep issues!

[Meaplus3]

I have been having some pretty bad sleep issues lately... and I know it's due to emotional turmoil that I currently have. I have never looked into sleeping med's... because I am afraid to do so..as I have to be up early every morning with my 3 small kid's and I have heard they make you groggy in the am. I was just looking for some other more natural method's to help with relaxation and sleeep? Anything that might have worked well for other's. Thank's.

 

AP:)

[ElvenPriestess]

there's a pill called aluna sleep which is supposed to be a natural way to sleep, with out those nasty side effects.

 

Stay clear of anything with diphenhydramine. It's the one thing that knocks you out yes, but takes around 16 hours to clear out of your system. That's why it makes you so groggy.

[Meaplus3]

there's a pill called aluna sleep which is supposed to be a natural way to sleep, with out those nasty side effects.

 

Stay clear of anything with diphenhydramine. It's the one thing that knocks you out yes, but takes around 16 hours to clear out of your system. That's why it makes you so groggy.

 

Diphenhydramine.... I have heard about that affect.. that would not be good! Aluna? Hmmmm.... I will have to check into that. Sometime's I can get away with a nice hot bath and some tea.. but lately that's not cutting it. Thank's Evlen for the lead.

 

 

AP:)

[ElvenPriestess]

Not a problem:) There's also one last thing, IF you can stomach it. I've used it before. Warm milk, and then sprinkle a dash of nutmeg on top if you'd like. Make sure you get the milk pretty hot though, not TOO hot that it goes bad.

 

It releases these endorphines making it a natural sedative. Or something along those lines.

[dutchie]

You could also try melatonin, which is a natural hormone produced by the pineal gland. It helps regulate our light-dark cycle, or circadian ryhthm. Melatonin is gentle and doesn't make you feel groggy or even immediately super tired, but should be taken about 30 mins before you think you are going to bed. You can find it in health food stores or in the vitamin section probably at the drugstore.

 

Also there is valerian root, which is a natural sedative, and can also be used for anxiety, maybe depression but I can't remember for sure. I have tried the tea before and it is kinda stinky, but works. I think it comes in a capsule form too.

 

Or then there is always aromatherapy. Try lavender essential oil (only a couple drops) on your pillow, or in your bath.

 

Hope this helps!

[iowajournal]

I could probably be called a devotee of Hypnos the Greek god of sleep. Sleep is really the only therapy that works to restore cells and renew one's spirit and outlook. I need to sleep 18-24 hours straight to allow my cells to regenerate and my brain waves to settle down and reset themselves.

 

What I know about this issue is this:

 

Alcohol and cigarettes are absolute no / no's. STAY AWAY from them entirely. I take Zoloft (anti-depressant) which helps me to calm down and go to sleep. Zyprexa and other mild anti-psychotics make you drowsy and allow you to get really sound sleep. Aluna probably acts a lot like these medications. Most people who suffer from anxiety / depressive situations can be healed by the sleep enabling qualities of these medications alone. Because this is primarily what they do---reset your chemistry and allow your cells to quiet down and repair themselves.

 

I hate Valerian root. It is like a tranquilizer in a weird way. It feels like it is putting you into some deep slumber that you may not wake up from.

 

Some practical situations need to be addressed. Unplug all your telephones. Turn off your cell phone. If you don't live alone...take your kids to someone to look over them. Tell your boyfriend or girlfriend to go somewhere for the weekend. Find a couple of days that you have off...and then just go to bed. Sleep the entire time and reset your clock. Reset your cells. Take a sleep vacation.

Edited January 29, 2008 by iowajournal
grammar

[Meaplus3]

Not a problem:) There's also one last thing, IF you can stomach it. I've used it before. Warm milk, and then sprinkle a dash of nutmeg on top if you'd like. Make sure you get the milk pretty hot though, not TOO hot that it goes bad.

 

It releases these endorphines making it a natural sedative. Or something along those lines.

 

Warm milk with a dash of nutmeg sound's yummy. I will be sure to give that a try. It's funny last night I managed to get a good night's rest...I was very suprised. Guess all my sleepless night's made me tired enough to fall off in to lala land!

 

AP:)

[JamesM]

If you begin using herbs, then you may as well use Tylenol PM or Unisom. While I do use herbs on occasion, some of the sleep aids do carry some of the same effects.

 

For me, I can use Tylenol PM. I will try one pill (half dose) and see if that works. Then I use two. One will not make me groggy in the morning.

 

Otherwise, I would suggest reading a book or two on insomnia. (I used to read one when I couldn't sleep...yes, the same one, and it was like a sleep aid by itself. I fell asleep while reading it quite often. ) Also get into a routine before bed.

 

Warm milk works for some. It has for me.

 

My guess is that this is temporary, but it can be very frustrating.

[Meaplus3]

If you begin using herbs, then you may as well use Tylenol PM or Unisom. While I do use herbs on occasion, some of the sleep aids do carry some of the same effects.

 

For me, I can use Tylenol PM. I will try one pill (half dose) and see if that works. Then I use two. One will not make me groggy in the morning.

 

Otherwise, I would suggest reading a book or two on insomnia. (I used to read one when I couldn't sleep...yes, the same one, and it was like a sleep aid by itself. I fell asleep while reading it quite often. ) Also get into a routine before bed.

 

Warm milk works for some. It has for me.

 

My guess is that this is temporary, but it can be very frustrating.

 

Hi James, I do love to read...however lately that's not been working to well, although it has in the past. I had forgot about tylenol PM...I will buy some of that. as I have taken that in the past and it does have a sleepy affect on me! I remember taking.. a cold medication one time... and it zonked me out but good..Still felt that way in the am... and that's not good because I need to be birght eyed and bushy tailed very early each morning to take care of my little one's. Thank's for your thought's!

 

AP;)

[whichwayisup]

Do yoga after your kids go to bed, and then have a hot bath.

[MakeLemonade]

I second tylenol PM in a half-dose (1 pill). It works well for occasional insomnia without that groggy feeling, don't take 2 unless you have at least 9 or 10 hours to devote to sleep and even then I wouldn't advise 2 unless you have a high tolerance for meds. Make sure you take it by 10 or 11 if you have to be up by 6 or so (like I do - ugh - I have little ones too plus have to be at work by 7:30am). That will help assure minimal or no after-effects as well.

[ElvenPriestess]

AW, be wary of Unisom. An ex of mine got me onto it, and the stuff is not something I recommend. With Tylenol PM, and the like, again it has that key ingredient to be wary of as well.

 

But a half a pill as was mentioned earlier will not have as drastic of effects, just be careful as it can become a habit.

[Meaplus3]

I second tylenol PM in a half-dose (1 pill). It works well for occasional insomnia without that groggy feeling, don't take 2 unless you have at least 9 or 10 hours to devote to sleep and even then I wouldn't advise 2 unless you have a high tolerance for meds. Make sure you take it by 10 or 11 if you have to be up by 6 or so (like I do - ugh - I have little ones too plus have to be at work by 7:30am). That will help assure minimal or no after-effects as well.

 

ML- I just got back from the store and I bought some tylenol pm.. I'm going to try it tonight...I have a feeling I'll need it becuase I slept a litle to well last night and my trend lately has been 1 good night then a few real long restless one's! Thank's for the info. I bet if I combine that with warm milk and a hot soak in my jacuzzi...it might do the trick! Hopefully I won't fall asleep in the tub, lol!

 

AP:)

[ElvenPriestess]

ML- I just got back from the store and I bought some tylenol pm.. I'm going to try it tonight...I have a feeling I'll need it becuase I slept a litle to well last night and my trend lately has been 1 good night then a few real long restless one's! Thank's for the info. I bet if I combine that with warm milk and a hot soak in my jacuzzi...it might do the trick! Hopefully I won't fall asleep in the tub, lol!

 

AP:)

 

Go easy on the pills hun, but sounds like you're in for a restful sleep:)

[JamesM]

I bet if I combine that with warm milk and a hot soak in my jacuzzi...it might do the trick! Hopefully I won't fall asleep in the tub, lol!

 

AP:)

 

That is exactly what I was thinking.

[Meaplus3]

That is exactly what I was thinking.

 

LOL!

 

 

AP;)

[StandByMe]

I used to have trouble sleeping, too. Then I tried going to sleep at the same time every day even on weekends and that works well for me. Now there's only a handful of days that I can't fall asleep right away.