Insomnia

[Emmie]

I find myself up and not being able to sleep. Does anyone know of any kind of natural remedies? Because this being up and bored thing is for the birds!

[Guest030114]

Yes, but it would require you to have an orgasm.

[Emmie]

Hey that sounds ABSOLUTELY WONDERFUL!!

[Mizzou82]

cut out caffeine 8 hours before you want to sleep, exercise a couple hours before, don't watch the clock, clear your mind,

[DestinyInKC]

warm tea!

[JayceeRivers]

Some advice I have been given...

Sleepy time tea- there are a variety of types out there. my personal favorite is celestial's lemon jasmine sleepy time. Try to use honey instead of sugar to sweeten

hypnosis- No not the sort a doctor would do on you. There are a variety of sound files and CD's that you can attain or purchase. Generally its the background noise on them that does the trick.

Eye mask- we don't realize how much the light in the next room or the ticking clock can be the evils keeping us awake

Bedroom- Don't use your bedroom for anything BUT sleep. remove all entertainments. I personally could not fathom doing this so it remains untried.

Bath- particularly with Epson salt and chamomile (can be substituted or added to lavender as well)

Sounds- a soundtrack of a slowing heartbeat (our hearts slow down in our sleep as well as our intake of oxygen) The entertainment industry has been using this subconscious trick against us for years by taking music and matching the pace of the average heartbeat to start and than increasing the tempo... this of course triggers our pulses at home to increase thus convincing our bodies we are truly afraid and there is real danger around.

Black out curtains- this will prevent street lights, sunshine and all other outside lights from breaking through.

exercise- a hour or so before bed. something more inclined towards yoga like. aerobics (fast pace like exercise) can have the opposite effect

There are many things at holistic stores one can find to further efforts... from candles to music to actual sleep CDs. There are also all natural supplements that are very cost effective at your local walmart.

Long term insomnia should be evaluated by your doctor. There could be a underlining problem that could be serious.

Hope this helps!

PS: I gave up on all naturals a couple of years ago. I now take trazadone which is the most amazing sleeping pill I have ever encountered.

[royamcr]

Passion Flower in a liquid form. Good stuff.

[Urban Dahlia]

Try taking 3,000 mg of GABA about 30 minutes to 1 hour before you want to be asleep. About 20 minutes into it you might notice that you feel a little itchy, and are a little short of breath. It will last about 5 maybe 10 minutes then will go away.

I have done tons of research, and this is totally normal. I like to tell people upfront because I didn't know about it, and when it happened to me I kind of freaked out until I researched it as a normal side effect of the GABA starting to work.

You should start sleeping the entire night. There are no side effects in the morning like sleeping pills. Plus it's an amino acid that is said to make you produce more HGH (Human Growth Hormone) during your sleep so it provides an extra bonus for your body.

In addition, you can use GABA during the day too. Taken at night at 3,000 mg of GABA acts as a sleeping pill. Taking during the day 1,500 mg of GABA acts like a Valium or Xanax. Again no lasting side effects like you have with prescription drugs.

Vitamin Shoppe is where I get mine with tablets at 750mg each. I know you can get them online too if you prefer.

Take 4 (750mg tablets) at bedtime for sleep or 2 (750mg tablets) during the day for stress/anxiety/relaxation (only take every 4-6 hours if using during the day). Quality of my sleep went from a 5 to a 10 within the first week.

Second, if you keep the temperature in your bedroom at 69 degrees or cooler you will sleep much more soundly. Studies have shown that your body sleeps best at 69 degrees or colder.

Last, if you are fighting severe insomnia you can add about 3mg of Melatonin to the GABA which should work like a charm. I am not a fan of Melatonin as I feel like it leaves me kind of groggy and foggy the next day. However it is definitely better to experience a little drowsiness than to not sleep at all.

[Nero Wolfe]

You might try melatonin. I take a 5mg tablet if I cannot fall asleep after 30-45 minutes.

http://www.webmd.com/sleep-disorders...tonin-overview

http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/mel...ffects/AN01717

[amylove]

ive had insomnia since i was 6 so.... i agree with nero&urban try melatonin if ur looking for something natural.....if ur looking to go get a prescription from ur doc dont ever use lunesta, it leaves a constant metal taste in your mouth. ambien is better. ive also heardd trazodone works as well as mentioned but doc nvr put me on it

[Gabrielle TallCoolOne]

I've had insomnia as early as I can remember (my memories go back to at least age 4). Trazodone is good, but it takes a month or so to get over the sleeping pill hangover. Once you get past it you will find that you dream less and wake up refreshed. Be careful of the Trazodone munchies...they make a candy bar taste like heaven!! Mirtazapine works best for me. I gave up on following society's sleep schedule. I stay awake until I fall asleep. It results in an epic 24+hr sleep, but it is the best sleep ever. I occupy my days and nights with hobbies and school.

[Emmie]

Oh my gosh, thank you all for the advice! I tried melatonin last night and was able to sleep for a few hours!

[Thequeen]

I think the only thing that will work for me is a hammer. Just knock me out lol..

If you go through a doctor, Ambien does knock you out within 20 mins but could be habit forming and the longer you take it, the less it will work for you. If the melatonin worked Id stick with it, Once you get on a normal sleep pattern you might not need it anymore

[modude51]

I take melatonin 300mcg about twice a month and I sleep like a baby.

[Peter Devlin]

Lots of good stuff here...especially the first suggestion to orgasm...

I'm thumbs down on chemical considerations...

I'm chiming in on Mizzou82's mention of "clear your mind"...I think it's important.

Our (lost)culture is pretty far removed from concepts surrounding meditation. Without getting too metaphysical, and having to shrug off a bunch of flaming, I'd have to suggest you look into it.

"Clear your mind" is what meditation is. It's good for you...in ways you'll not yet suspect if you've never practiced it, and it's very easy...in concept.

All you need is darkness, be comfortable, and stop thinking. The stop thinking part takes practice, that's why they call it "meditation practice", but if your body needs sleep and you achieve a "no thought" state, you'll go to sleep.
That state, while awake, moves your awareness from "left-brain" to right...You've probably heard we use only ten percent of our brains?...welcome to the other ninety percent. Again, it's good for you. Peace.